According to the DCRA: The mission of the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs is to protect the health, safety, economic interests, and quality of life of residents, businesses, and visitors in the District of Columbia by issuing licenses and permits, conducting inspections, enforcing building, housing, and safety codes, regulating land use and development, and providing consumer education and advocacy services.
DCRA regulates business activities, land and building use, construction safety, oversees historic preservation enforcement, rental housing and real estate, and occupational and professional conduct with the District.
The department takes legal action against businesses and individuals who violate District laws, and works to prevent the occurrence of illegal, deceptive, and unfair trade practices through education and public awareness programs.
DCRA protects the health, safety, economic interests and quality of life of residents, business, and visitors in the District of Columbia by issuing licenses and permits, conducting inspections, enforcing building, housing, and safety codes, regulating land use and development, and providing consumer education and advocacy services.
[1] In the summer of 2007, one housing inspector was sentenced to 60 months in prison and DCRA was the subject of an FBI investigation following a scheme to require a developer to pay for permits.
[2] Later in 2007, another DCRA employee was found guilty of bribery after telling a hotel engineer that she could obtain permits in exchange for cash.