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District of Columbia: homes, climate zones and who licenses the work

The District of Columbia has 361,000 housing units. 69% were built before 1980, and the median year built is 1958. 41.5% of occupied homes are lived in by their owners.

How old the homes are

District of Columbia housing units, by year built

Layers drawn to scale

District of Columbia housing units by year built 69.0% of District of Columbia housing units were built before 1980 and 31.0% in 1980 or later. 2020 or later: 2.9%; 2010–2019: 13.6%; 2000–2009: 7.4%; 1990–1999: 2.8%; 1980–1989: 4.3%; 1970–1979: 6.7%; 1960–1969: 10.1%; 1950–1959: 11.1%; 1940–1949: 9.6%; 1939 or earlier: 31.5%. Before 1980 69.0% 1980 or later 31.0% 2020 or later 2.9% 2010–2019 13.6% 2000–2009 7.4% 1990–1999 2.8% 1980–1989 4.3% 1970–1979 6.7% 1960–1969 10.1% 1950–1959 11.1% 1940–1949 9.6% 1939 or earlier 31.5%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates, tables B25034, B25035 and B25003; heating fuel below from B25040.

Age changes what applies to a house. In general, anyone paid to do work that disturbs painted surfaces in a home built before 1978 must be certified in lead-safe work practices under the EPA's Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule, which the EPA administers directly in the District of Columbia.

How homes are heated

How homes in the District of Columbia are heated

Main heating fuel, share of about 324,000 occupied homes

  • Utility gas 47.9%
  • Electricity 46.9%
  • No fuel used 2.0%
  • Propane or other tank gas 1.1%
  • Fuel oil or kerosene 0.9%
  • Other fuel 0.7%
  • Solar energy 0.3%
  • Coal or coke <0.1%
  • Wood <0.1%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates, table B25040 (occupied housing units).

Climate and building zones

The 2021 International Energy Conservation Code assigns every county a climate zone from 1 to 8 and a moisture regime: A for moist, B for dry, C for marine. Zones 7 and 8 have no letter. The District of Columbia is in zone 4A.

ENERGY STAR rates windows, doors and skylights for four climate zones of its own. All of the District of Columbia falls in the North-Central zone.

By NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals, the District of Columbia averages 84 days a year with a low of 32°F or colder.

Flood risk and flood insurance

1.1% of residential structures in the District of Columbia carry a National Flood Insurance Program policy: 1,443 policies, in FEMA's count as of August 3, 2026.

FEMA's National Risk Index rates the District of Columbia high or very high for riverine flooding and hurricanes.

Fire ants and termites

The District of Columbia is not inside the federal imported fire ant quarantine.

Who licenses the work in District of Columbia

Before anyone starts work, check the license with the agency below. Where the state does not license a trade, cities and counties may; ask the one where the house is.

Checked 2026-09-29. Licensing rules change; the agency's own page is the authority.

Sources

  1. U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates, tables B25034, B25035, B25040 and B25003 data.census.gov
  2. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory Guide to Determining Climate Zone by County: Building America and IECC 2021 Updates basc.pnnl.gov
  3. U.S. Department of Energy Prototype Building Models (climate zones 1–8 and moisture regimes A, B, C) energycodes.gov
  4. ENERGY STAR Climate zones by county for windows, doors and skylights energystar.gov
  5. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, annual and seasonal ncei.noaa.gov
  6. Federal Emergency Management Agency OpenFEMA NFIP Residential Penetration Rates (as of 2026-08-03) fema.gov
  7. Federal Emergency Management Agency National Risk Index, county ratings fema.gov
  8. USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Imported fire ant quarantine map aphis.usda.gov
  9. Electronic Code of Federal Regulations 7 CFR part 301, subpart P, Imported Fire Ant ecfr.gov
  10. District of Columbia Department of Energy and Environment doee.dc.gov doee.dc.gov
  11. District of Columbia Department of Energy and Environment doee.dc.gov doee.dc.gov
  12. District of Columbia Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection, Board of Industrial Trades dlcp.dc.gov dlcp.dc.gov
  13. District of Columbia Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection dlcp.dc.gov dlcp.dc.gov
  14. District of Columbia Department of Energy and Environment doee.dc.gov doee.dc.gov
  15. District of Columbia Department of Energy and Environment doee.dc.gov doee.dc.gov
  16. epa.gov epa.gov epa.gov