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D.C. Municipal Regulations (Last Updated: September 13, 2017) |
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Title 14. HOUSING |
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Chapter 14-8. HOUSING CODE: CLEANLINESS, SANITATION, AND SAFETY |
Section 14-808. INSANITARY OR UNSAFE SHEDS AND FENCES
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808.1No person who is the owner, owner’s agent, or manager of any property in the District of Columbia shall allow to remain on that property any fence or shed which the Fire Chief finds constitutes a fire hazard to any nearby structure.
808.2No person who is the owner, owner’s agent, or manager of any property in the District of Columbia shall allow to remain on that property any fence or shed which the Director of the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs finds constitutes a safety hazard.
808.3No person who is the owner, owner’s agent, or manager of any property in the District of Columbia shall allow to remain on that property any fence or shed which the Director of Human Services finds is dilapidated, and which facilitates the accumulation of or interferes with the collection of trash, garbage, ashes or other materials which constitute a health hazard; or which harbors or provides harborage for rodents.
808.4No person who is the owner, owner’s agent, or manager of any property in the District of Columbia shall allow to remain on that property any fence or shed which the Chief of Police determines interferes with the performance of the duty of members of the Metropolitan Police force or constitutes a menace to the public safety.
808.5Whenever an official listed in §§ 808.1 through 808.4 or any designated agent of that official finds that any fence or shed is hazardous as set forth in this section, he or she shall give the owner, owner’s agent, or manager written notice to remove the hazard.
808.6The written notice provided under § 808.5 shall state the following:
(a)The reason or reasons for ordering the removal of the fence or shed; and
(b)That the person receiving the notice shall comply with the requirements of the notice not later than thirty (30) days after the date of receipt of the notice, unless within that period of time he or she has appealed under § 808.7.
808.7Any owner, owner’s agent, or manager receiving notice to remove a shed or fence under this section shall have thirty (30) calendar days in which to comply or to appeal in writing to the Board of Appeals and Review.
808.8If within the time allowed, the owner, owner’s agent, or manager files an appeal, he or she shall be given opportunity to appear at a hearing before the Board of Appeals and Review.
808.9The decision of the Board of Appeals and Review shall be final. If the decision is adverse to the appellant, the appellant shall comply with the provisions of the order appealed from (as that order may have been sustained or modified by the Board) within ten (10) calendar days after receipt of notice of the decision of the Board. Failure to comply shall constitute a violation of the order.
808.10Any shed removed in compliance with a notice issued pursuant to the authority herein contained may be replaced only by a shed constructed in accordance with the Building Code.
808.11Whenever any fence or shed is ordered removed, a copy of the notice ordering the removal shall be forwarded to the responsible official who shall issue permits for the construction of fences and sheds in accordance with the provisions of the order and who shall maintain a file of all notices.
808.12Any fence removed in compliance with a notice issued pursuant to the authority of this section may be replaced only by one of the following:
(a)An open-pattern, noncombustible fence which is not more than seven feet (7') in height; or
(b)A combustible fence which is not more than three feet six inches (3'6") in height, constructed of pickets, palings, or boards, each of which is not more than four inches (4") in width and is separated from the immediately adjacent pickets, palings, or boards by spaces that are not less than two inches (2") in width.
808.13Notwithstanding any of the provisions of this section, if there is a change in the ownership of any property affected by this section, or if that property is substantially improved or renovated, any fence or shed ordered removed from the property may be replaced by a fence or shed constructed in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.