Public Space is defined as publicly owned property between the property lines on a street and includes, but is not limited to, the roadway, tree spaces, sidewalks, and alleys.
Agency Project Review and Permit Verification
Applicants are required to obtain written permit verification that specify whether the project can be installed in public space, whether permits are required or not, and whether other District agency approvals are needed to install the proposed project. This requires letters from the following DC agencies and offices:
- DC Department of Buildings (DOB) regarding construction or building permits. Any project that will require digging or ground disturbance of the construction footprint which means the area of all impervious surfaces, including but not limited to buildings, roads and drives, parking areas, sidewalks, and the area necessary for construction. [Required]
- DC Department of Transportation (DDOT), Public Space Committee regarding public space and occupancy permits). [Required]
- DC Office of Planning (DCOP), Historical Preservation Office (HPO) to assess whether the project might impact historic property or designated areas). [Required]
- DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR), ONLY for projects contemplating use of property owned by DPR. [Required if project is on DPR property]
All written permit verification and agency project reviews must be provided directly from the agencies mentioned above on agency letterhead addressed to CAH. If a permit is not required by the agencies listed above, a letter from the agency will indicate that. Each required agency letter must be submitted with your grant application.
When emailing these entities, provide the:
- Address.
- Plans, illustrations/images, and narrative description that explain exactly what is being proposed.
- A timeline for installation and whether the artwork is permanent or temporary.
- Detailed information about any ground disturbance that may be necessary (e.g., digging foundations for sculptural elements, paving or resurfacing treatments, etc.) or scaffolding and work done in public space to install the project.
Applicants are encouraged to plan early and contact the agencies below regarding their process and to obtain written verification. Applications without written permit verification will be deemed incomplete and considered ineligible.
DC Department of Buildings Contact
To inquire about building/construction permits and requirements and, please contact Jill Byrd at the DC Department of Buildings at [email protected] with a copy to [email protected] . Please submit your request thirty (30) days prior to the grant application deadline.
Department of Transportation, Public Space Contact
Sites that are deemed public space require a presentation before the Public Space Committee by the applicant regarding their proposal. Applicants must obtain approval from the Public Space Committee. Sites that are not deemed public space must have a letter from DDOT stating a permit would not be required. For more information on public space and public space committee meetings please visit ddot.dc.gov.
To inquire about the public space status of your potential site and occupancy permits, please contact Stephen Varga at the DC Department of Transportation at [email protected] with a copy to [email protected]. Please submit your request at least two (2) weeks prior to the grant application deadline.
Office of Planning Historical Preservation Contact
To inquire about the historic preservation status of your potential site, please contact Andrew Lewis at the DC Historic Preservation Office at [email protected] with a copy to [email protected] The timeframe for review is generally 30 (thirty) days from the date of receipt. Applicants are encouraged to submit review requests up to 45 (forty-five) days prior to the grant application deadline.
Department of Park and Recreation
If the project is anticipated to be on Department of Park and Recreation (DPR) property, please contact Tierney, Christopher (DPR) [email protected] with a copy to [email protected]. Please submit your request and supporting information noted above at least thirty (30) days prior to the grant application deadline. ANC awareness and/or approval is necessary before DPR can review the proposal.
Applicants are encouraged to visit PropertyQuest DC to obtain information about the location of your project. This website identifies whether the address of your project is located within a historic district, affects a landmark, or owned by the District of Columbia and/or in public space. Visit https://propertyquest.dc.gov/. Enter the address to determine whether the address of your project will be impacted by these further approvals. However, you still must reach out to all these entities to determine whether permits are necessary and other construction/installation requirements and permits.
View ANC Approval and Community Support <— | —> View CAH Staff Contact