Do I need a permit for my garden plan?

Submitted by GalacticHorizons t3_113jlfa in washingtondc

last year I created this 3ft x 6ft raised garden bed in my yard. I had a pretty good yield but this year I would like to extend the bed about 20 ft toward the sidewalk, the garden bed would also serve as a border for my yard since I don't have a gate.

Would I need a permit for this or would the city not care since it's not a structure that one could stay in?

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dascase t1_j8qzw6t wrote

As this is a potential legal issue, I'd suggest attempting to do some more research with the https://dob.dc.gov/page/homeowners-center rather than asking us randos.

However a friend who build a deck on his property in DC and ran a foul of a rule not based on permits but of building too close to the sidewalk and had to at his own expense cut the deck back.

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the_eso t1_j8roegi wrote

Not a lawyer or DC employee, but as a gardener I don't think the city would care. The caveat would be that I'd make sure that it's actually on your property - a lot of DC houses are built right at the front of the property and the city owns what you might think of as your yard.

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phaerus t1_j8s4mbt wrote

It depends where your property line is. Generally (IANAL), if it's not a structure, you can do what you want on your property. However, DC controls everything from the street to the property line, which is often a lot more than you'd think: >"Public Space is defined as all the publicly owned property between the property lines on a street and includes, but is not limited to, the roadway, tree spaces, sidewalks, and alleys.

You may find some helpful information here: https://ddot.dc.gov/service/public-space-management

It appears that there's a $0 permit [1] for " The pruning of street trees, the planting or removal of trees or the planting of hedges on public space." that may apply to what you're talking about, called "Rain Garden (S.F. Home Yard Area)"

If you touch the "Tree Space," Requirements are laid out in DC 24-109[2], but I can't seem to find anything else about non-tree-space areas.

Unrelated to your question, did you use a kit for your raised bed? I'm thinking about doing the same this year and just looking into what it would take!

[1] https://tops.ddot.dc.gov/DDOTPermitSystem/DDOTPermitOnline/PermitTypes.aspx [2] https://www.dcregs.dc.gov/Common/DCMR/SectionList.aspx?SectionNumber=24-109

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GalacticHorizons OP t1_j8u1afa wrote

I did not use a kit. I looked at some finished versions online then made a drawing of what I wanted based on that and bought wood, drill spades, and some of other tubing so that It could stay watered when I'm away from home and cut the wood according to my specs.

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HockeyMusings t1_j8s7796 wrote

Not a structure = not a problem. Especially if it’s 100% on your property. Worst case, even if it isn’t, is a cease and desist; or it gets all ripped up during a utility project because it’s not on your land.

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LevelDrawers t1_j8sjmwy wrote

In my experience, you don't need to worry about a permit for such things, even if you don't officially own your front yard. Like a lot of folks, my property line is at my front door, but I have a 12 x 15 front yard that I don't technically own. I had a 10-foot long grape arbor out there for several years, and even my jerk neighbor didn't complain. I'd chance it.

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Playful-Translator49 t1_j8s27i3 wrote

DC doesn’t seem to care about crime in general, that said. If you have an annoying neighbor that would turn it in that would be the issue as my guess. I mean it’s cool to car Jack, ride ATVs, run lights, chase bikers etc but they seem to draw the line at wild flowers so who knows about a garden. What a time to be alive

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