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Architectural plans & permit drawings in Washington, DC.
NEXTA Studio prepares architectural plans, permit drawings, structural engineering and MEP plans for homes and businesses across the District. We draw rowhouse additions, renovations, basements, decks and commercial build-outs, and prepare each set for review by the DC Department of Buildings.
What we prepare in DC
One coordinated drawing set for your DC permit.
- Architectural design & plansExisting conditions, floor plans, elevations and sections for rowhouses, single-family homes and commercial spaces.
- Permit drawings & construction documentsCode notes, wall types, details and schedules formatted for DC plan review.
- Structural engineeringBeams, joists, party-wall and foundation details for additions, wall removals and rear extensions.
- Civil engineering & grading plansGrading and drainage plans and site plans that show how your lot is shaped and where water will go.
- MEP plansMechanical, electrical and plumbing layouts for renovations, basement units and tenant spaces.
- Plan revisions & review commentsCorrections and written responses when a DC reviewer sends comments back.
- 3D design & renderings3D views so you can see the design before you build.
Common DC projects
Projects we draw in the District.
Residential
- Rowhouse rear additions and pop-backs
- Second-storey and third-floor additions
- Basement renovations and basement units
- Kitchen and bathroom renovations with wall removal
- Decks, porches and roof decks
- Whole-house renovations of older homes
Commercial
- Office and retail build-outs
- Restaurants and cafés
- Barber shops and salons
- Change of interior layout for a new tenant
- Storefront and facade updates
- Accessibility upgrades
We work in every ward, including Capitol Hill, Petworth, Columbia Heights, Brookland, Shaw, Georgetown, Navy Yard, Anacostia and Chevy Chase DC.
Permits in DC
What DC reviewers look for.
Building permits in Washington, DC are issued by the DC Department of Buildings (DOB). Larger projects go through plan review, where reviewers check the architectural, structural and MEP drawings against the DC Construction Codes. Projects in a historic district may also need review by the DC Historic Preservation Office, and projects that need relief from zoning rules may go to the Board of Zoning Adjustment.
DC houses come with their own questions: shared party walls, older framing, rear yard and lot-occupancy limits, and basement ceiling heights. We document what is there, check zoning early, and draw a set that answers the reviewer's questions before they ask, so your permit moves forward with fewer rounds of comments.
Washington, DC questions.
Straight answers about permit drawings in the District. Don't see yours? Request a consultation.
Do I need permit drawings for a renovation in DC?
Most work that changes structure, adds space, moves walls or changes plumbing, electrical or mechanical systems needs a building permit in DC, and the permit needs drawings. Small cosmetic work often does not. Tell us your scope and we'll confirm what DC will ask for.
Who issues building permits in Washington, DC?
The DC Department of Buildings (DOB) issues building permits in the District. Projects in historic districts may also need review by the Historic Preservation Office, and zoning relief goes to the Board of Zoning Adjustment.
Can you draw plans for a rowhouse addition or pop-back?
Yes. Rowhouse additions are one of the most common projects we draw. We check lot occupancy, rear yard and height limits first, then prepare the architectural, structural and MEP drawings in one coordinated set.
My house is in a historic district. Can you help?
Yes. Historic district projects usually need drawings that clearly show existing and proposed exteriors, materials and what is visible from the street. We prepare the drawings with that review in mind.
DC sent comments back on my plans. What now?
Send us the drawings and the reviewer's comments. We revise the set, write a response to each comment and prepare it for resubmittal, even if another designer drew the original plans.
How do I start?
Request a consultation and attach any photos, surveys or old drawings you have. We'll contact you to talk through the project, the drawings it needs and a written quote.