DC Department of Buildings | 1100 4th St SW, Washington, DC 20024 | 202.671.3500 | dob.dc.gov
Office of the Surveyor
Frequently Asked Questions and Special Online Instructions
Does the Office of the Surveyor have a Website Page?
Yes, it is located at dob.dc.gov/page/surveyor-services
.
The DOB Cashier’s Office is closed. How do I pay for a receipt?
You may now pay your receipt Online. Please follow the steps included below the FAQ’s under the title
“Online Payment of Fees”. If you cannot submit payment via paymentportal.dc.gov/payment
, please
contact us at dob.dc.gov.
Does the Office of the Surveyor’s Website have plats I can view or print?
Yes. Within the Office of the Surveyor’s Webpage is a link to a research platform known as “SurDocs”
(Abbreviation for Survey Documents). Within this interface, you can search for records pertaining to
your property if you know what your lot and square is.
What is a Lot?
By definition, a Lot is the land bounded by definite lines that, when occupied or to be occupied by a
building structure and accessory buildings, includes the open spaces required under DCMR Title 12. A
Lot may or may not be the land as recorded in the records of the Office of the Surveyor.
What is a Record Lot?
A Record Lot is a lot recorded on a plat of subdivision in the Office of the Surveyor of the District of
Columbia. The plat is also reviewed by zoning, historic preservation and the Office of Tax and Revenue.
What is a Tax Lot?
A Tax Lot is a lot created by the Office of Tax and Revenue for tax billing purposes. This lot is for
assessment tax purposes only and may not be eligible as a Buildable Lot.
What are Square & Lot Numbers?
DC Department of Buildings | 1100 4th St SW, Washington, DC 20024 | 202.671.3500 | dob.dc.gov
The city is divided into sections and assigned a Square number. For example in downtown, each city
block has a separate Square number. The individual properties within the Square are each assigned a
Lot number.
How do you find your Square & Lot Numbers?
The Square & Lot numbers can be found in your deed. The Office of Tax and Revenue can obtain your
Square & Lot Number using your address. You can also find this online at mytax.dc.gov
.
What is a Building Plat?
A Building Plat is a scaled drawing of a lot, showing lot lines and record dimensions. The plat is certified
by the DC Surveyor and is usually used to obtain a building permit. The drawing provided is a depiction
of the lot only. Features related to acquiring a building permit will need to be added by a design
professional or skilled consumer. A document is available to help explain how to add content to a
Building Plat and thus transform it into a Plat for Permit: dob.dc.gov/node/1616551
.
Where do I Obtain a Building Plat and How Much Does It Cost?
To obtain a Building Plat you must place the order online at dob.dc.gov/node/1618371
. The only
information you will need to place the order is the square and lot number for each property. The cost of
a plat is: $60.50 – sent via email within 3-5 business days; and $88.00 – Expedited - sent via email by 2
p.m. (EST) the next business day*.
*Note: Expedited orders must be placed and paid for by no later than 3:00 p.m. (EST) the day
prior to delivery. Any orders after that time will take an additional day to process and complete.
What is a Plat for Permit?
A Plat for Permit is a Building Plat that has been prepared for submission for a Building Permit. This
document will have the lot depicted by the Office of the Surveyor on the official Building Plat and will
also contain the necessary design features added by the design professional or customer.
What is the Approved Plat for Permit?
The Approved Plat for Permit is the Plat for Permit that has been reviewed by DOB’s Permitting Division
and Approved with the Building Permit. This document will have agency certifications on it and will also
reference the Building Permit Number.
DC Department of Buildings | 1100 4th St SW, Washington, DC 20024 | 202.671.3500 | dob.dc.gov
What is a Subdivision Plat?
Record Lots are created in the Office of the Surveyor by recording a Subdivision Plat if you want to
change the configuration of a lot or lots. For example, if you own multiple lots and want to combine
them into one lot, or if you own one large lot and want to subdivide it into several smaller lots. You also
may need to convert your tax lot to a record lot for permit purposes. You would order a Subdivision and
have it recorded in our office.
How can I apply for a Subdivision of land (or conversion of a Tax Lot to a lot(s) of Record)?
We have a newly developed Online process for applying for a Subdivision. Please follow the steps
included below the FAQ’s under the title “Application for Subdivision”: dob.dc.gov/node/1613861
.
I have a Condominium project. How can I submit the Plat and Plans for review?
We have a newly developed Online process for submitting Condominium Plat and Plans. Please follow
the steps included below the FAQ’s under the title “Condominium Plat and Plans Submissions”.
What is a Wall Check?
A wall check is a survey done to locate new construction. Once you obtain a building permit and start
constructing, a DOB Building Inspector may require you to have a wall check to locate exactly where
your new construction is on the lot. This is done to make sure your construction meets setback
requirements, lot coverage restrictions, and to assure no encroachments exist.
Do you have Surveys of my property showing the location of my house?
Possibly. Within the Office of the Surveyor’s Webpage is a link to a research platform known as
“SurDocs” (Abbreviation for Survey Documents). Within this interface you can search for records
pertaining to your property if you know what your lot and square is. The Office of the Surveyor does not
record or keep any private surveys in its inventory such as Location Drawings or ALTA/NSPS surveys
associated with transfers of title.
Note: To access the Office of the Surveyor’s Webpage go to DOB’s homepage at https://dob.dc.gov
and
then select the Residents tab and continue to Permitting where the section for the Surveyor’s services is
located.
Do you have interior plans or plans used for the construction of my house?
No. The Office of the Surveyor only has land plats. The Office of Records Management would have
plans for your house.
DC Department of Buildings | 1100 4th St SW, Washington, DC 20024 | 202.671.3500 | dob.dc.gov
Can the Office of the Surveyor come out to locate my property lines?
No. The Office of the Surveyor does not perform field surveys. You will need to hire a licensed survey
company to perform a survey. We can provide you with a list of licensed survey companies who are
registered with our office that you can use. Work done by a Registered D.C. Surveyor can be filed in the
Office of the Surveyor where copies are available to the public.
What is a Site Per Sub Plat?
A Site Per Sub Plat (Site Per Subdivision) is a Building Plat that reflects what the lot(s) of a proposed
subdivision will look like once the subdivision is recorded. It would not have a lot number included on
the document and it is the same cost as any other building plats. These cannot be ordered expedited.
What is an Approved Plat for Permit?
It is an Official D.C. Building Plat with the site features (existing and proposed) included that is reviewed
and approved by the DOB permitting department.
Special Online Instructions
• Online Building Plat Ordering
Please follow the instructions below (we have attempted to keep them as brief as possible);
1. Go to aca20.dcra.dc.gov/citizenaccess
.
2. Sign in or Register for an account:
3. You are now on the Welcome Page (your shopping cart is empty).
DC Department of Buildings | 1100 4th St SW, Washington, DC 20024 | 202.671.3500 | dob.dc.gov
Go to the bottom and select “Request a Building Permit Shop Drawing”.
4. This will take you to the Building Tab section. Please read and agree to the Terms and select
“Continue Application”.
5. The next page has many options, scroll down and select “Surveyors Request”.
DC Department of Buildings | 1100 4th St SW, Washington, DC 20024 | 202.671.3500 | dob.dc.gov
6. The next page requires you to select contact information from the existing or newly created
account, select the option “Select from Account”.
7. Next, select the appropriate contact information and then select “Continue Application”.
8. Next, enter street address information for validation and then select from the options for the
property of interest and select it.
9. All fields will populate in the property address, scroll down and make additional selections. For
Process a selection for Regular or Expedited can be chosen. For Delivery, only email is an option
currently. It must be selected. Below that the Square and Lot information (from previous page)
DC Department of Buildings | 1100 4th St SW, Washington, DC 20024 | 202.671.3500 | dob.dc.gov
must be added (each field must have 4 digits entered). The Surveyor’s Office only draws active
lots located in the current Tax Database.
10. Scroll to the bottom and select “Continue Application”.
11. Next, review all information and select “Continue Application”.
12. Next, scroll to the bottom of the page and select “Check Out”
DC Department of Buildings | 1100 4th St SW, Washington, DC 20024 | 202.671.3500 | dob.dc.gov
13. Follow the payment instructions, pay and the order will be processed.
__________________________________________________________
• Application for Subdivision
Please follow the instructions below (we have attempted to keep them as brief as possible);
1. Go to the Online Subdivision Application: dcdcra.seamlessdocs.com/f/79ysuh754uyv
.
2. Fill out the fields completely, sign the application and select “Submit” the form will then require
an upload of the current deed of conveyance.
Note: If more than 1 lot is being created by the subdivision then a sketch must also be uploaded
to the application (there is a place to upload the sketch in the upload section.
3. Sign and complete the form. A copy will be electronically sent to the Office of the Surveyor.
4. If the application is complete, a receipt will be sent to the applicant for payment. The cost for a
subdivision plat is $440 for up to three lots. An additional fee may be required for subdivisions
involving irregular-shaped lots.
5. A paid receipt is required before acceptance of the application is complete. Please return a copy
of the paid receipt to the Staff Member who issued the invoice in a reply to the invoice email.
This is imperative as it is the means by which we are notified that payment has been made.
6. A Site Per Subdivision Plat is requested here: dcdcra.seamlessdocs.com/f/1e3ejb0bd4zi
These can only be requested after a paid receipt for a new Subdivision Application has been
received. Add the text “Site Per Sub” in the Lot column after entering the current lot(s).
_______________________________________________________________
• Application for a Street & Alley Closure, Dedication or Elimination of a Building Restriction
Line
Please follow the instructions below (we have attempted to keep them as brief as possible);
1. Go to the Online Application for Street & Alley Closure, Dedication or Elimination of a Building
Restriction Line: dcdcra.seamlessdocs.com/f/k89z2yokj4o8
2. Fill out the fields completely, sign the application and select “Submit” the form will then require
an upload of the required documentation.
3. Sign and complete the form. A copy will be electronically sent to the Office of the Surveyor.
4. If the application is complete, a receipt will be sent to the applicant for payment. E receipt for
$2,750.00 for the processing of the application will be sent VIA the email address provided.
5. A paid receipt is required before acceptance of the application is complete. Please forward a
copy of the paid receipt to the staff member you received the invoice from so the office can
begin processing the service to be performed.
_______________________________________________________________
• Condominium Plat and Plans
DC Department of Buildings | 1100 4th St SW, Washington, DC 20024 | 202.671.3500 | dob.dc.gov
Please follow the instructions below (we have attempted to keep them as brief as possible);
1. Go to the Online Condominium Submission Intake Form:
dcdcra.seamlessdocs.com/f/60sr6woavpj6
2. Fill out the fields completely, sign the form and select “Submit” the form will then require an
upload of the Plat and Plans along with a copy of the Approved Plat for Permit.
Note: The Approved Plat for Permit is required with each submission.
Note: This form can also be used for reserving a Condo Book and Page prior to review. The
applicant must Upload the Plat and Plans and Upload a simple document that states “I Need to
reserve a Book and Page” in place of where the Approved Plat for Permit would be uploaded. We
will respond to the email provided with the reserved Book and Page. Note, that a new application
will need to be filled out when later Submitting for Review and Comments.
3. Complete the form, submit and a copy will be electronically sent to the Office of the Surveyor.
4. If the application is complete, the Surveyor’s Office will review the package within 3-5 business
days and return comments, if any, to the email provided with the submission package.
5. When the Plat and Plans are fully signed, sealed, comments (if any) are addressed and the
documents are ready for recording, the applicant may request a receipt by replying to the
emails related to the submission for Review. A receipt will be sent to the email provided.
6. A paid receipt is required before recording. Please return a copy of the paid receipt to the Staff
Member who issued the invoice in a reply to the invoice email. This is imperative as it is the
means by which we are notified that payment has been made.
7. The Plat and Plans will be recorded once a paid receipt is returned to the Surveyor’s Office VIA
email in 3-5 business days.
______________________________________________________________________________
________________________
• Submitting Online Payments for an Invoice
1. Go to the Online Payment Portal; (Online Payment Portal
)
A paid receipt is required before acceptance is complete. Please return a copy of the paid receipt to the
Staff Member who issued the invoice in a reply to the invoice email. This is imperative as it is the means
by which we are notified that payment has been made.
