B 26-0578 Legislature · 26th Council Period (2025-2026)

Residential Building Permit Classification Temporary Amendment Act of 2025

This bill temporarily amends DC property tax classification rules to streamline converting commercial buildings to residential use. It requires owners to apply for a "Class 1A" tax classification change (for residential properties) with documentation before the change takes effect, with tax rates applied based on the conversion timing (full year or second tax installment). If properties aren't used residentially within 3 years (or by certificate of occupancy issuance), the tax authority can claw back improperly paid tax rates plus penalties. The law applies to owners converting commercial properties to residential use and expires 225 days after enactment.
Bill status signed all 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2026
Committee Review
Council Passage
Mar 2026
Signed into Law
May 2026
Introduced Feb 2, 2026 Signed May 21, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Engrossment → Enrollment · 3 edits
MINOR
This bill was updated from its Engrossed version to its Enrolled version, which is the final version signed into law. The most significant substantive change is the update of the bill's effective year from 2025 to 2026. Additionally, the bill was amended to remove specific exemptions for a real estate company (Avanti Real Estate Services, LLC), ensuring the tax relief program applies only to properties undergoing residential conversion and not to the company's general business operations.
Scope change
The bill's effective year was changed from 2025 to 2026, and the scope of the tax relief was narrowed by removing a specific exemption for Avanti Real Estate Services, LLC.
TIMELINE

The bill's title and citation were updated to reflect the year 2026 instead of 2025, aligning the temporary tax relief program with the upcoming fiscal year.

ELIGIBILITY

A specific provision granting tax relief to Avanti Real Estate Services, LLC was removed, ensuring the new classification rules apply strictly to commercial properties being converted to residential use rather than the company's existing business activities.

TECHNICAL

Minor formatting and section numbering adjustments were made to standardize the bill's structure for final enactment.

Floor votes · Council Mar 3, 2026

How they voted

13–0
Passed
Total votes 13
Mar 3, 2026
D Democratic11
11 Yea
100% Yea
I Independent2
2 Yea
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
13
Key actions
1
Committee
0
Amendments
1
Mar 3, 2026
Council · Passed
Council Vote: pass (13-0)
council
Feb 3, 2026
Introduced
Amendment (Nadeau)
legislature
Feb 2, 2026
Introduced
B26-0578 Introduced by Chairman Mendelson at Office of the Secretary
legislature
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Phil Mendelson
Phil Mendelson
DDemocratic
DC
Chairman