The d.@Home program represents DDOT’s commitment to making the public space permitting process easier, faster, and more accessible for homeowners across the District. By focusing on common residential improvements such as lead walks, fences, and stoop paving, this initiative simplifies the path for residents to make necessary updates while ensuring public space standards are met. Homeowners benefit from quicker reviews, clearer guidance, and a process that eliminates the need for professional stamped drawings for eligible projects, reducing time and cost burdens for simple upgrades.
This streamlined permitting program is designed to simplify the public space construction permit application process for residential property owners. Accessible through DDOT’s Transportation Online Permitting System (TOPS), the program offers a faster, easier path for homeowners making minor improvements.gives residents the tools to navigate the permitting system with confidence and offers support tailored to residential needs. As we expand this service, DDOT will continue to use data to improve our response times and strengthen collaboration with agency partners, ensuring homeowners can complete their projects with greater ease and transparency.
What Is d.@Home?
d.@Home is a streamlined, expedited public space permitting program, launched 2025, by the District Department of Transportation (DDOT). The accelerated program is designed specifically for District of Columbia homeowners to repair or modify small and simple home improvement projects in public space. The overarching goal of the program is to increase homeowner access, equity and efficiency in the public space permitting process by offering faster reviews and simplified support for a transparent process.
Applicants will receive expedited permit reviews and dedicated permit support. Additionally, they can omit stamped professional engineer drawings, which help reduce review times and make the process easier for specific minor repairs. They will still need to present a simple sketch of the proposed public space work. The application must be done under the Construction permit in the Transportation Online Permitting System (TOPS).
Which Projects Qualify?
Customers seeking to repair or replace the following projects involving the public space in front of, or around their home, including:
- Lead walks
- Stoop and step paving
- Porch construction (not enclosures)
- Retaining walls (excluding foundation)
- Planter Boxes
- Fences (new installations up to 42” included)
Projects in the city’s designated historical districts do not qualify to participate in the program. When applying for the permit, TOPS will prevent the application from moving forward.
How to Apply?
D.C. homeowners seeking to make improvements to the above-listed projects can participate in the following three ways:
- Walk-in the DDOT Permit Center at 1100 4th Street SW, 6th Floor, to get information and assistance from a representative.
- Make 30-minute appointments on the booking website for more complicated applications. Appointments are Monday, Wednesday and Friday during normal business hours. (See below)
- Apply via DDOT’s online permit system for a Construction permit in TOPS. The system will prompt a list of required documents
Approvals
Most of these permits are reviewed and approved within three-five business days. Also, the program is aligned with DDOT’s partner agencies such as the Department of Buildings, Department of Energy and Environment and the D.C. Office of Planning.
Homeowners’ Resources
Permit checklist (Construction Permits)
Sample site plans
DCMR Title 24 Public Space Laws for Construction and Demolition
Other Resources (Live links)
DCMR Title 24 Public Space Regulations
Press Releases
Programming Updates
Application Data (TBD)
Contacts
[email protected]
(202) 673-6813
Schedule a 30-minute appointment
Email: Ms. Vontia Rogers, Engineering Technician, at [email protected]