An After Hours permit can be an incredible asset for developers and contractors working on projects in Washington, D.C.
This asset comes in handy, especially this time of year. Between November and March, there are six federal and D.C. government holidays. With Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA) regulations prohibiting permitted construction these days, stress levels rise for project managers with tight deadlines during this season.
Fortunately, a DCRA After Hours permit can extend a project’s working hours and provide some much-needed relief to project schedules.
What is an After Hours Permit?
For those unfamiliar with an After Hours permit, it’s a specialized permit issued by DCRA that allows work beyond the authorized construction hours of Monday through Saturday, 7:00 am – 7:00 pm. Issued for 30-day periods, this includes work within public space authorized by the District Department of Transportation.
An After Hours permit also allows for construction activities to occur on federal and District Government holidays. Currently, DCRA prohibits permitted construction on these dates:
- New Year’s Day
- Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Birthday
- Inauguration Day
- Washington’s Birthday (Presidents’ Day)
- Emancipation Day
- Memorial Day
- Independence Day
- Labor Day
- Indigenous Peoples’ Day
- Veterans Day
- Thanksgiving Day
- Christmas Day
Failure to abide by these regulations is illegal and could result in a Stop Work Order and even steep fines. Projects that receive a Stop Work Order must go through an appeal process to remove the order, which can take up to seven business days to resolve.
How to Get an After Hours Permit.
So, how can you obtain an After Hours permit and avoid a DCRA enforcement action? The process for applying can be completed online and seems simple enough. Yet, if your project has certain complexities, the process can quickly become overwhelming. Additional documentation and support are required for work zones within 500 feet of a residential zone and/or hotel. Residential work zones require the support of the neighboring Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner or Single Member District, while hotel work zones require the support of a hotel representative.
How to Expedite the After Hours Permit Process.
We understand the permitting process can be quite complex. And there are certain intricacies involved in working with jurisdictional authorities like DCRA. That’s why we don’t just expedite – we help our clients manage every aspect of the permitting process. From scheduling and answering questions to team meetings and more, we’ve got you covered. We’ll work to ensure you get your permit as soon as possible and without any hassle.
Contact us today to discuss your next project!
After Hours Construction in Virginia and Maryland
Not surprisingly, Virginia and Maryland both have specific rules and regulations when it comes to after-hours and nighttime construction projects. However, they both provide relief when the benefit to the public offsets the noise the event will create in excess of the established limits. And just like DC, the process can become quite complex depending on the nature of the project and the stakeholders impacted.
So, how can you quickly and painlessly obtain a temporary noise waiver in your project’s jurisdiction? Once again, we recommend working with our team of permitting experts here at DFM Development Services. Our team has experience obtaining noise waivers for various projects throughout both Maryland and Virginia.
About DFM Development Services, LLC
Our experienced Permitting Services team has expedited building permits for hundreds of real estate development projects throughout DC, Maryland, and Virginia, including Insight Property Group’s The Apollo, Madison Marquette’s Incanto Apartments, and PN Hoffman’s The Wharf DC.
Images courtesy of Jingxi Lau on Unsplash.
