How to Search for Washington Property Records

Washington D.C. property records are public records; anyone can access them without reason. They contain a lot of useful information like deeds, ownership history, mortgages, liens, foreclosures, bankruptcies, property values, assessments, and taxes. Typically, these records are filed/recorded with a specific government office, and that office maintains them and provides public access. The key to finding what you need is where to look. Use the resources below to search for Washington D.C. property records.

Washington D.C. Recorder of Deeds

Deeds, mortgages, and liens are filed with the Washington D.C. Recorder of Deeds Office. They maintain many other types of property records, and you can ask for copies by visiting them in person or searching their website. The office is located at:

D.C. Public Library

The D.C. Public Library is also a great place to search for records. They have online search tools, but you can also visit in person at any of their 26 city locations.

D.C. Office of Tax and Revenue

The Washington, D.C., Office of Tax and Revenue handles property assessments and property tax bills. They also have a website where you can search for assessments, tax records, and even tax lien properties. You can also visit them during regular business hours at 1101 4th Street, SW, Suite 270 West, Washington, DC 20024.

If you wish to view zoning maps, contact the DC Office of Zoning (DCOZ). If you are interested in information on vacant properties, contact the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA).

District of Columbia property taxes fund a good portion of the city's expenses. They pay for things like road maintenance and bridges, fire, police protection, emergency services, parks, transportation, water/sewer, and other city amenities. They are integral to the city's budget; every property owner must pay their share in annual property taxes. Washington, D.C., has set up an online eCheck system, making it easy to pay your taxes online. You can also mail a check with your bill or visit in person to pay them. The main website for property taxes in Washington, D.C., is MyTax DC. Tax rates remain low, but property prices have increased.

Assessments

The Washington D.C. Office of Tax and Revenue's (OTR) Real Property Tax Administration is the government entity responsible for performing annual property tax assessments. They value the property to set tax rates. Not everyone will agree with the assessed value of their property. If you disagree and want to file an appeal, you must do so with the OTR by downloading and filling out the form on this page.

Appraisals

An appraisal is another way of valuing property. The most common method compares similar properties that have sold in the local area. Lenders use appraisals to ensure the property's value supports the loan. Estate planners and the courts also use them for different purposes.

Tax Rates

Property taxes in Washington, D.C., are some of the lowest in the country, with an average effective tax rate of 0.56% of the assessed value. Although the tax rate is low, the median payment paid by most residents of Washington, D.C., is $3,957 due to the high real estate prices. Let's compare how Washington D.C. property tax rates stack up against other areas of the country:

• Washington D.C. 0.56%
• Montgomery County, Maryland 1.091%
• Prince George's County 1.465%
• Arlington County, Virginia 1.155%
• Fairfax County, Virginia 1.298%
• Alexandria, Virginia 1.13%

Exemptions

To make property taxes more affordable to some individuals, the city of Washington, D.C., offers property tax exemptions. Some of these tax breaks are as follows:

• Senior Assessment Cap
• Homestead Deduction
• Historic Properties Program
• Low-Income Home Ownership Tax Abatement
• Low-Income Long-Term Homeowner Tax Credit
• Low-Income Senior Citizen Property Tax Deferral
• Real Property Tax Exemption
• Senior Citizen or Disabled Property Owner Tax Relief

You can learn more about each of these programs by contacting the Office of Tax and Revenue's Real Property Tax Administration.

In Washington, D.C., building permits are issued by the DC Department of Buildings. This agency has a great website where you can apply for permits, find existing permits, or report a violation. You must have a permit before starting a new construction project (building, demolishing, renovating). You must create an online account to begin the permitting process. You must supply information about the people working on the job, including contractor licenses and insurance. You must also provide material lists and building plans. When applying, you must also pay a fee. The various types of permits available in Washington, D.C. include:

• Addition, Alteration, and Repair Permit
• Alteration & Repair Permit
• After Hours Permit
• Awning Permit
• Building Permit Extension
• Deck Permit
• Demolition Permit
• Excavation Only Permit
• Fence Permit
• Foundation Permit
• Garage Permit
• Historic Property - Special Permit
• New Building Permit
• Simple Scopes of Work (Post Card Building Permits)
• Retaining Wall Permit
• Raze Permit
• Scaffolding Permit
• Shed Permit
• Sheeting and Shoring Permit
• Sign Permit
• Soil Boring Permit
• Solar Panel
• Swimming Pool Permit

Building inspections are crucial to the permitting process. The inspector must examine the work before, during, and after the project ends to ensure that it complies with local building and safety codes. You can request an inspection by calling (202) 671-3500 or using the online request tool.

Washington, D.C., the U.S. capital, has a population of 678,972 people. The city has a total of 367,147 housing units. Of those, 41.1% are owner-occupied units. The median value of the owner-occupied housing units is $724,600. The District of Columbia has many different types of housing units, including single-family homes, apartments, condominiums, co-ops, and public housing. The various styles of Washington D.C. homes include Federal, Romanesque Revival, Victorian, American Bungalow, Craftsman, Contemporary, Colonial, and Tudor. The average house price in Washington, D.C., is between $603,762 and $676,667, depending on the area. Where you live affects the price. For example:

• Georgetown (20007) $2.1 million
• Northwest Washington (20011) $775,000
• Capitol Hill (20003) $775,000
• Brookland (20017) $907,450
• Dupont Circle (20036) $539,500
• Columbia Heights (20010) $690,000
• Chinatown (20001) $439,090
• NoMa (20002) $432,280
• Judiciary Square (20001) $462,850

The real estate market in Washington D.C. is tight, with very low inventory and competitively high prices. House prices are up 18.2%, and they stay on the market for only about 58 days.