PR 26-0515 Legislature · 26th Council Period (2025-2026)

Residential Building Permit Classification Emergency Declaration Resolution of 2026

This resolution extends temporary rules allowing developers to change a property's classification from commercial to residential after a building permit is issued, rather than waiting until construction is fully complete. It directly affects developers converting commercial properties to residential use in Washington, D.C., by streamlining the classification process. The key provision maintains the existing policy from prior emergency legislation (effective since 2025) that permits classification changes following permit issuance, with appeal rights if denied and a clawback if residential use isn't started on time. The resolution prevents a legal gap by ensuring the rule remains active starting January 28, 2026.
Sub-Topics: Building Codes Tags: Emergency Management
Bill status signed all 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2026
Committee Review
Council Passage
Feb 2026
Signed into Law
Feb 2026
Introduced Feb 2, 2026 Signed Feb 3, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduction → Enrollment · 3 edits
MINOR
The bill text was reformatted from a draft introduction version to an enrolled version ready for final passage. The substantive policy content remains unchanged, though some details were clarified with more precise dates and formal citations to previous legislation.
TECHNICAL

The document was converted from draft introduction format to enrolled original format, indicating it has passed all legislative stages and is ready for official enactment.

Formal citations were added to previous legislation acts with their official act numbers and D.C. Register citations for proper legal reference.

TIMELINE

Specific dates were clarified with more precise language, including exact effective dates for previous emergency acts and the new applicability date of January 28, 2026 to prevent legal gaps.

Floor votes · Council Feb 3, 2026

How they voted

13–0
Passed
Total votes 13
Feb 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
7
Key actions
1
Committee
0
Amendments
1
Feb 3, 2026
Council · Passed
Council Vote: pass (13-0)
council
Feb 3, 2026
Introduced
Amendment (Nadeau)
legislature
Feb 2, 2026
Introduced
PR26-0515 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