Mission

As the agency responsible for the maintenance of the District's public space, and fully aware that the way public space is designed impacts, residents, workers, and visitors, DDOT shall ensure consistent application and enforcement of public space policies and regulations that give the District a distinct character defined by open spaces, which results in a greener and more walkable city.

Public Space refers to all the publicly-owned property between the property lines on a street, park, or other public property, as such property lines are shown on the records of the District, and includes any roadway, tree space, sidewalk, or parking between such property lines.

Public Right-of-Way (ROW) refers to the surface, the air space above the surface (including air space immediately adjacent to a private structure located on Public Space or in a Public Right-of-Way), and the area below the surface of any public street, bridge, tunnel, highway, lane, path, alley, sidewalk, or boulevard.

Also, see, Public Space Permits

Procedures & Services

DDOT Right of Way Policies and Procedures Manual

Policy for the Use of the Public Right-of-Way for Security Related Purposes

Policy for the Use of the Public Right-of-Way for Non-Security Purposes

Public Space Committee

The Public Space Committee is a citywide body that meets monthly to review and render decisions on a variety of types of permit applications for the use and occupancy of the public right of way that do not fall within the regular permitting process. This includes sidewalk cafes, over-height retaining walls, over-height fences, and security bollards.

The committee is staffed by the District Department of Transportation, the Department of Buildings, the Office of Planning and the Secretary of the District of Columbia.

DCMR Title 24: Public Space and Safety and DCMR Title 12: Building Code identifies specific public space applications that must go before the Committee, as well as the criteria for review. Common public space applications that go before the Public Space Committee include, but are not limited to:

Fences and retaining walls of greater height than is allowed by regulation
Street furniture, like flag poles and benches
Statues and public art
Sidewalk cafes
Curb cuts
Security elements, like guard booths and bollards
Unusual projections
Signs for non-profit institutions
Non-standard light fixtures
Church bulletins

Public Space Committing Hearing Calendar

For additional information about the Public Space Committee, or to electronically receive Public Space Committee informational notices, send requests to: publicspace.committee@dc.gov

See Related

Page:

Vendors (Compendium)
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Streetscape (Compendium)
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Public Space Permits (Compendium)
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Public Space Committee (Compendium)
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Public Space and Right of Way (Compendium)
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Driveways (Compendium)
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Block Parties (Compendium)

Additional Information

Legal References

Design Standards & Specifications

Transportation Plans & Studies

n/a

Other Resources

Permit Lookup Tool

	File	Modified
Labels No labels Preview View	PDF File DDOT ROW Manual 2019-07-31 (3).pdf	27 Aug, 2024 by kathleen.crabb
Labels No labels Preview View	PDF File Policy for the Use of the Public Right-of-Way for Non-Security Purposes.pdf	26 Mar, 2022 by James Graham
Labels No labels Preview View	PDF File Policy for the Use of the Public ROW for Security Purposes.pdf	26 Mar, 2022 by James Graham
Labels No labels Preview View	PDF File Right of Way Policies and Procedures Manual.pdf	26 Mar, 2022 by James Graham

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