{"data":{"id":"us-dc/d.c.-code-8-803","jurisdiction":"us-dc","citation":"D.C. Code § 8-803","heading":"Investigation and notice of nuisance.","body":"(a)\nFor the purposes of this chapter, the term “nuisance” means a condition or circumstance violative of the provisions listed in § 8-802(a).\n\n(b)\nThe Mayor may, consistent with constitutional safeguards, enter a residential or nonresidential premises and inspect and investigate an allegation about a nuisance; provided, that an inspection or investigation at a residential premises may only occur in common areas at the premises. The Mayor may act upon the Mayor’s own information or observation or upon the information or the observation of another person.\n\n(b-1)\nAt least 4 inspectors in the Department of Public Works Solid Waste Education and Enforcement Program shall be designated as Vector Control SWEEP inspectors. The primary responsibility of the Vector Control SWEEP inspectors shall be to investigate:\n(1)\nHigh-rodent infestation areas; and\n(2)\nThe compliance of housing providers with all solid waste regulations enforced by the Department of Public Works relating to the proper storage of solid waste intended to prevent the provision of food, harborage, or breeding places for insects or rodents.\n\n(b-2)\nThe Department shall identify areas in the District most in need of additional vector control resources and shall focus the efforts of the inspectors designated as Vector Control SWEEP inspectors on those areas.\n\n(c)\n(1)\nIf the Mayor finds on the premises a nuisance actionable under this chapter, then, after the inspection and the investigation, the Mayor shall issue a notice of violation to the person alleged to have created the nuisance or to the property owner.\n(2)\nThe notice of violation may be served on the owner, the owner’s authorized agent, the building superintendent, the operator of equipment, or any other responsible individual at the premises or the Mayor may deliver the notice by certified mail or first-class mail to the owner of the premises or to the person responsible for the nuisance or the Mayor may post the notice in a conspicuous place on the premises in violation. If the owner cannot be identified with reasonable certainty, the Mayor may conspicuously post the notice on the premises alleged to be in violation and deliver a copy of the notice to the Director of the Department of Finance and Revenue pursuant to paragraph (3) of this subsection. When service is by first-class mail, 5 additional days shall be added to the time period within which the owner of the premises or person responsible for the nuisance may, or is required to, take any action specified in the notice.\n(3)\nThe Director of the Department of Finance and Revenue is authorized to receive notices of violation of this chapter on behalf of any resident or non-resident person who owns property in the District, if the person has not provided to the Director of the Department of Finance and Revenue a mailing address. The Director of the Department of Public Works shall post a copy of the notice served on the Director of the Department of Finance and Revenue in a conspicuous place on the property.\n\n(d)\nThe Mayor shall prepare the notice of violation and include in it the following:\n(1)\nThe location, date, and time that the nuisance took place or that the Mayor investigated the nuisance;\n(2)\nThe law or regulation violated;\n(3)\nThe amount of the fine assessed;\n(4)\nThe action necessary to abate the nuisance;\n(5)\nThe person’s right to request a hearing on the alleged nuisance and the procedure for making the request;\n(6)\nThe manner, location, and time for paying the fine or arranging a hearing;\n(7)\nA statement that failure to answer the notice of violation within 14 calendar days after the notice has been issued may result in additional penalties; and\n(8)\nReinspection information, which includes the date and time of the reinspection and the condition that the property should be in at the time of reinspection.\n\n(e)\nThe Department of Public Works shall keep a copy of the notice of violation and shall attach to it a certificate attesting to the manner that the Mayor issued the notice.","path":["Title 8. Environmental and Animal Control and Protection.","Chapter 8. Litter Control Administration."],"source_url":"https://code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/code/sections/8-803","current_through":"2026-08-20 (D.C. Law 26-175)","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-08-29T05:44:07Z","sha256":"192b43095feadf53741dbeda5c5f58c35b760f26c7cb6f1601b604179c5e0f1d","source_id":"us-dc","stale":false,"prev":"us-dc/d.c.-code-8-802","next":"us-dc/d.c.-code-8-804"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}