(Washington, DC) Today, District of Columbia Mayor Adrian M. Fenty officially opened the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs’ (DCRA) newly redesigned Permit Center. The completely overhauled and innovative new center not only offers customers a more efficient and pleasant environment, it also reflects a more natural and logical method of moving our customers through each phase of our permitting process. The new Permit Center is a dramatic change from the previous facility. The new center, planned with the real flow of the permit process as its foundation, includes a circular, ergonomic design. New, more intuitive signage system makes it easier to identify each aspect of the permitting process.

Realizing that the old Permit Center was not adequately meeting the needs of its customers, DCRA began almost a year ago consulting with District residents and businesses, ANC members and representatives from the building and construction industry to gather their input for a major overhaul of DCRA's permitting processes.

Customers can now move with ease from station to station as they meet–face-to-face–with plan review coordinators and zoning, structural, electrical and mechanical engineers.

“I believe we are making significant strides to improving DCRA’s operations,” said Mayor Fenty. “This new Permit Center is a tangible step in making sure that the system works well and that customers are well served and satisfied.”

“Permitting is one of the functions that bring District residents and businesses most in contact with DCRA," said DCRA Interim Director Linda K. Argo. "We realized there were challenges and frustrations in the past and have put a priority in making permitting in the District a process that is as clear and simple as possible. This Permit Center will define DCRA’s expectations for providing world class customer service in all of its operations moving forward.”