Permits by Project
Which permits a rental project needs in Washington DC, Maryland and Northern Virginia. Pick the work to see the answer for each area, with the official source.
Paint, walls and finishes
Interior painting
- No permit in 10 of 10
Drywall repair or patching
- No permit in 9 of 10
- No official answer found in 1
Drywall replacement
- No permit in 5 of 10
- Depends on the scope in 2
- No official answer found in 3
Flooring replacement
- No permit in 10 of 10
Interior doors, trim and hardware
- No permit in 9 of 10
- No official answer found in 1
Window replacement
- No permit in 7 of 10
- Depends on the scope in 1
- No official answer found in 2
Kitchens and bathrooms
Kitchen cabinets and countertops, same layout
- No permit in 10 of 10
Kitchen remodel that moves plumbing, gas or electrical
- Permit required in 10 of 10 areas
Bathroom fixtures, same location
- Permit required in 1 of 10 areas
- No permit in 6 of 10
- Depends on the scope in 1
- No official answer found in 2
Bathroom remodel that moves plumbing or changes walls
- Permit required in 10 of 10 areas
Plumbing, electrical and HVAC
Water heater replacement
- Permit required in 6 of 10 areas
- Depends on the scope in 4
Electrical fixtures, outlets and switches, like for like
- Permit required in 1 of 10 areas
- No permit in 5 of 10
- Depends on the scope in 3
- No official answer found in 1
New circuits, panel replacement or rewiring
- Permit required in 10 of 10 areas
HVAC equipment replacement
- Permit required in 4 of 10 areas
- Depends on the scope in 5
- No official answer found in 1
Repairs and structure
Water-damage repair
- Depends on the scope in 10
Mold remediation
- No official answer found in 10
Removing or adding a non-structural wall
- Permit required in 10 of 10 areas
Structural repairs
- Permit required in 10 of 10 areas
Deck or exterior stair repair
- Permit required in 7 of 10 areas
- Depends on the scope in 3
Renting the unit
Answers come from each area’s official permit pages and codes, as of October 2026. Rules change and some depend on the exact scope or the building, so confirm with the permit office before work starts. This is general information, not legal advice.
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