Public Space and Right of Way

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)
• Page:
  Streetscape (Compendium)
• Page:
  Public Space Permits (Compendium)
• Page:
  Public Space Committee (Compendium)
• Page:
  Public Space and Right of Way (Compendium)
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  Driveways (Compendium)
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  Block Parties (Compendium)