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Public Space Management
The District Department of Transportation has management and oversight responsibility for the use and occupancy of the public space. The goal of Public Space Management is to achieve and maintain safe and beautiful streets. Public Space is defined as all the publicly owned property between the property lines on a street and includes, but is not limited to, the roadway, tree spaces, sidewalks and alleys.
The Public Space Policy Branch is currently tasked with implementation of the Bus Shelter Franchise Agreement. The agreement calls for replacing all existing bus shelters, expanding the number of shelters and adding innovative features, such as bus maps and real-time bus arrival information.
 
- Public Space Permits
Applications for permits to use or occupy public space can be submitted at 941 North Capitol Street, NE, 2nd floor, Suite 2300, between the hours of 8:30 am and 4:15 pm, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday. On Thursday the hours are from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm. There are various types of Public Space Permits issued.
A printable copy of the most commonly used Public Space Permit Application* is available online. More information on Public Space Permits and the permitting process can be found at the following links:
- Preliminary Design Review Meeting (PDRM)
Public Space Management also hosts Preliminary Design Review Meetings (PDRM) to discuss and facilitate the review of proposed streetscape improvements related to complex or large-scale projects or residential developments.
- Public Space Oversight
The System Inspection and Oversight Division (SIOD) is the investigative and enforcement arm of the District Department of Transportation and monitors all activities which may impact the public space. The SIOD conducts inspections of the work for which permits are issued to assure that permit holders adhere to permit conditions, requirements and are in compliance with DC laws.
The SIOD also investigates and initiates enforcement actions in cases of work performed in public space without a permit. To report a possible public space violation, please call 311.
- Public Space Policy
The Public Space Policy Branch analyzes, develops, implements and manages programs and regulations that affect public space. The work of this office is to design public space policies that will improve the quality of life for residents and effectively manage the competing uses and demands on public space. Managing the new bus shelter program, designing alternative street parking strategies and developing public space regulations or standards are among the Policy Branch programs. The Policy Branch may also act as the liaison between stakeholders and the District Department of Transportation.
- Public Space Committee
The Public Space Committee meets monthly to review and render a decision on a variety of types of permit applications for the use and occupancy of the public right-of-way that do not fall within the regular permitting process such as: sidewalk cafes; over-height retaining walls; over-height fences; and security bollards. The specific dates, times and location of these meetings are available online. For additional information about the Public Space Committee, or to electronically receive Public Space Committee informational notices, please send your request to: publicspace.committee@dc.gov.
- Suspended Streets
A listing of Suspended Streets, those streets that have recently been restored or repaved by the District Department of Transportation (DDOT), is available online.In accordance with Title 24 DCMR, Chapter 34, these roads are suspended from excavation for 5 years unless a waiver is issued by DDOT.
- Downtown Streetscape
A streetscape plan must be approved for any project within the “Downtown Streetscape Area” where 50 percent of the adjoining public space (including sidewalks) is planned for construction. For a detailed listing of all the streets that fall within the Downtown Streetscape Area and an application and instructions for review of a Downtown Streetscape Plan, refer to the Downtown Streetscape Regulations*.
- Locate Property/Public Space Lines
To help resolve questions or confusion concerning the location of property/public space lines, information is now available in a Geographic Information System (GIS) map format. Click on "DC Atlas All-in-One Service" to view the map. If a first time user, click on "DC Atlas All-in-One User Guide" prior to opening the map. To learn more, including how to interpret the public space lines on the "1998 Archived ROW Maps." Please note that these maps are for historic reference only. For assistance in determining the public space lines or for public space permitting questions, please call Public Space Management at (202) 442-4670.
* This document is presented in Portable Document Format (PDF). A PDF reader is required for viewing.
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