D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 21, § 541
541.1 The following land-disturbing activities are exempt from the requirement to comply with the soil erosion and sediment control provisions of this chapter:
(a) For a single- or two (2) family house, townhouse, or rowhouse:
(1) Gardening;
(2) Landscaping;
(3) Repairs;
(4) Maintenance; and
(5) Stormwater retrofits, provided that:
(A) The soil allows for percolation; and
(B) The retrofit location is no closer than ten (10) feet from a building foundation;
(b) Utility service connection, repair, or upgrade;
(c) A project for which the total cost is less than twelve thousand, five hundred and seventy-three dollars and twelve cents ($12,573.12) or the current value pursuant to § 541.2;
(d) Installation of fencing, a gate, signpost, or a pole;
(e) Emergency work to protect life, limb, or property, and emergency repairs, except that the following are not exempted to the extent described:
(1) The land disturbed shall still be shaped and stabilized pursuant to the requirements of this chapter;
(2) Generally applicable control measures shall be used; and
(3) The property owner or their agent shall submit a plan to the Department's submittal database within three (3) weeks after beginning the emergency work; and
(f) Activities that disturb less than fifty (50) square feet.
541.2 Each year after 2025, the amount described in § 541.1(c) shall increase by the percentage, if any, by which the Urban Consumer Price Index for June of the calendar year exceeds the Urban Consumer Price Index for June of the previous year. Each inflation adjustment shall be posted to the Department’s website.
SOURCE: 8 DCRR, Health Regulations (1965 Edition); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 25 DCR 1033 (July 28, 1978), incorporating the text of Proposed Rulemaking published at 24 DCR 10522 (June 9, 1978); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 35 DCR 21 (January 1, 1988); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 60 DCR 10640 (July 19, 2013); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 64 DCR 3794 (April 21, 2017); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 67 DCR 818 (January 31, 2020); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 72 DCR 012101 (October 31, 2025).