The Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs announces that the Office of Vacant Property is changing its name to Vacant Building Enforcement, effective May 1, 2012

The name change better reflects the office’s mission, but does not change its current functions.

What Vacant Building Enforcement (VBE) does:

• VBE identifies, registers, and classifies vacant buildings in accordance with the DC Code. It monitors the District's identified vacant
• buildings and investigates complaints from residents and referrals from other agencies and organizations.

Contact Information:

Vacant Building Enforcement

1100 4th Street, SW, 5th Floor

Washington, DC 20024

(202) 442-4332

VacantBuildings@DC.GOV (effective May 1)

What Vacant Building Enforcement does NOT do:

•          Vacant Lots/Unimproved Property:  The Department of Public Works’ Solid Waste Education and Enforcement Program is in charge of investigating and abating unimproved property.  They can be contacted at (202) 673-6833 or dpw@dc.gov.  
•          Trees:  The Department of Transportation, Urban Forestry Administration’s Street Tree Service handles routine and emergency pruning and removal.  They can be contacted at (202) 671-5133 or ddot@dc.gov.
•          Rats: The Department of Health’s Rodent Control and Enforcement staff handles rodent investigation and abatement. They can be contacted at (202) 535-1954 or doh@dc.gov.   

Also, contact 311 for any of these services: http://311.dc.gov/.