D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 10-A, § 607
607.1 Soils in Washington, DC affect the suitability of land for buildings, roads and infrastructure, community gardening, and tree planting. Even in a built-out city like Washington, DC, soil and underlying geologic characteristics must be considered when designing foundations, basements, and other structures. Good soil management also involves the control of erosion resulting from natural forces like rain and wind. Erosion can undermine foundations, destabilize hillsides, and lead to sedimentation of streams. Measures to reduce erosion are particularly important during construction, when soil is disturbed and exposed to the elements.
Public and private construction activities should not result in soil erosion or the creation of unstable soil conditions. Support the use of retaining walls and other best management practices on new and existing properties that reduce erosion hazards. Erosion requirements shall be implemented through building permit and plan reviews and enforced through the permitting and regulatory processes.
Encourage the retention of natural vegetation and topography on new development sites. Prevent or require mitigation of construction practices that result in unstable soil and hillside conditions. Grading of hillside sites should be minimized, and graded slopes should be quickly revegetated for stabilization.
Prevent sedimentation of rivers and streams by implementing comprehensive stormwater management measures, including regular maintenance of storm drains and catch basins and the use of sedimentation ponds where appropriate.
Abate soil erosion problems in developed areas, particularly where erosion has resulted from poor site design, aging streets and alleys, or deferred maintenance.
SOURCE: District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Act of 1984, effective April 10, 1984 (D.C. Law 5-76; 31 DCR 1049 (March 9, 1984)); as amended by District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Act of 1984 Land Use Element Amendment Act of 1984, effective March 16, 1985 (D.C. Law 5-187; 32 DCR 873 (February 15, 1985)); as amended by District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Amendments Act of 1989, effective May 23, 1990 (D.C. Law 8-129; 37 DCR 55 (January 5, 1990)); as amended by District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Amendments Act of 1989 NCPC-Recommended Amendments, and Closing of Public Alleys in Square 669, S.O. 88-452, Act of 1990, effective May 23, 1990 (D.C. Law 8-132; 37 DCR 2213 (April 6, 1990)); as amended by District Government Land Use Temporary Amendment Act of 1994, effective October 1, 1994 (D.C. Law 10-190; 41 DCR 5360 (August 12, 1994)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendments Act of 1994, effective October 6, 1994 (D.C. Law 10-193; 41 DCR 5536 (August 19, 1994)); as amended by District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Act of 1984 Land Use Amendment Act of 1994, effective March 21, 1995 (D.C. Law 10-235; 42 DCR 30 (January 6, 1995)); as amended by Technical Amendments Act of 1996 effective April 18, 1996 (D.C. Law 11-110; 43 DCR 530 (February 9, 1996)); as amended by Second Technical Amendments Act of 1996 effective April 9, 1997 (D.C. Law 11-255; 44 DCR
1271 (March 7, 1997)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendment Act of 1998, effective April 27, 1999 (D.C. Law 12-275; 46 DCR 1441 (February 19, 1999)); as amended by Technical Amendments Act of 1999, effective April 12, 2000 (D.C. Law 13-91; 47 DCR 520 (January 28, 2000)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendment Act of 2006, effective March 8, 2007 (D.C. Law 16-300; 54 DCR 924 (February 2, 2007)); as amended by Technical Amendments Act of 2008, effective March 25, 2009 (D.C. Law 17-353; 56 DCR 1117 (February 6, 2009)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendment Act of 2010, effective April 8, 2011 (D.C. Law 18-361; 58 DCR 908 (February 4, 2011)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendment Act of 2021, effective August 21, 2021 (D.C. Law 24-20; 68 DCR 006918 (July 16, 2021)).