Permit guides › Washington, D.C. › DC-TR-15

Capacity Placard Permit: Washington, D.C. restaurant guide

DC Department of Buildings (DOB)

What it is

The posted maximum-occupancy sign that every assembly occupancy must display under the DC Construction Code.

When a restaurant needs it

Restaurants classed as assembly occupancies (generally 50 or more occupants).

How to apply

Apply on DOB's Citizen Access portal with permit type "Capacity Placard"; plans are reviewed in ProjectDox.

Documents you’ll need

Architectural egress plan (room dimensions, seating, aisles, fire/life-safety features, occupant load)
Placard drawings
Current Certificate of Occupancy
Building permits for any construction

Fee

Capacity placard review: $20 per hour plus the 10% enhancement fee ($22.00 per hour) per the DOB fee schedule; a filing fee is paid at application

Processing time

Varies — see DOB plan review timelines

Renewal

None, unless the layout or occupancy changes

Who files

The owner or an authorized agent files; an architect prepares the egress plan.

Good to know

Have your architect prepare the egress plan and placard drawing together with the C of O package. FEMS separately charges $150 for a Place of Public Assembly operational permit once the occupant load passes 100.

Official source

DOB — Capacity Placard permit · DOB fee schedule (capacity placard review)

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Last reviewed 2026-10-06. Guidance only, not legal advice.