Question 1

What is DC Class 3 vacant property tax?

Accepted Answer

Class 3 is the District of Columbia’s tax classification for residential property designated vacant by the Department of Buildings (DOB). The rate is $5.00 per $100 of assessed value under D.C. Code § 47-813(d-1), roughly 6× the Class 1 residential rate of $0.85.

Question 2

What is DC Class 4 blighted property tax?

Accepted Answer

Class 4 is the District of Columbia’s tax classification for property designated blighted by DOB. The rate is $10.00 per $100 of assessed value under D.C. Code § 47-813(d-2), roughly 12× the Class 1 residential rate.

Question 3

What is the DC Department of Buildings (DOB)?

Accepted Answer

DOB is the agency that took over building inspection, vacant-building designation, and code enforcement when DCRA was split in 2022. DOB issues vacant and blighted designations, conducts inspections, manages the Vacant Building Registration program, and runs status-review hearings.

Question 4

How do I get my building removed from the DC vacant property list?

Accepted Answer

Two paths: qualify for a statutory exemption (active building permit, active sale or rent listing, pending probate, fire damage, etc.) or return the building to occupied or compliant status and request DOB reclassification. Open DOB violations generally block reclassification until cured.

Question 5

What DOB exemptions are available from Class 3 / Class 4?

Accepted Answer

Active construction (up to 3 tax years with a valid permit), active for-sale or for-rent listing (half a tax year for single-family, up to 2 for multifamily/commercial), probate or title litigation (up to 3), pending zoning/development approval (up to 2), and documented economic or personal hardship including fire (up to 2). The total is capped at 5 exemption years in any 12-year period under D.C. Code §42-3131.06a. Each requires specific DOB-accepted documentation submitted within the filing window.

Question 6

How long does reclassification take?

Accepted Answer

Most DOB exemption decisions come back within 60–120 days of a complete filing. Effective dates depend on filing timing relative to the assessment year, which is why getting the application correct the first time matters.

Question 7

Can I appeal a DOB vacant or blighted designation?

Accepted Answer

Yes. DC owners have the right to appeal and to request a DOB status review hearing. The window is short and the evidentiary requirements are specific. We prepare the file, draft the brief, and represent owners through the hearing.

Question 8

How much does this service cost?

Accepted Answer

The initial review is free, and our fee is 35% of your first-year tax savings. No savings, no fee. To engage us there’s a $1,500 retainer, but it’s credited toward the success fee (a deposit, not an extra charge) and refunded in full if reclassification fails. You never pay more than 35% of what we save you. No hourly billing, no surprise charges.

Question 9

What happens if you can’t get my property reclassified?

Accepted Answer

The $1,500 retainer is refunded in full. You owe nothing beyond that. The refund terms are written into every engagement letter, not buried in fine print.

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