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Service areas · Local approval pathways
Separate DOB building review from DDOT public-space permissions. True North supports owners, operators, design teams and contractors with project documentation and permit coordination, from an existing building to a fiber route.
Start with the actual property or route and the decision holding up your project. Nationwide service describes our coverage; the agency, asset owner and qualified project team still determine the requirements for each location.
Request a project reviewUse the parcel or mapped route, intended operation and scope of work to identify the offices involved.
DC DOB describes an online checklist before the permit application and a ProjectDox invitation for plan uploads after application. The checklist, application and upload are distinct steps; a file sitting in an account does not establish a completed review submission.
Identify the property, existing and proposed use, scope and responsible professionals. Complete the applicable checklist, coordinate plans and supporting approvals, and verify the applicant task has moved the package into review.
Locate the parcel on the relevant local government map and confirm municipal or county jurisdiction with its planning or permitting office. For a route, mark each change of road, property and asset ownership. A postal city, online map pin or nearby project is a starting clue; confirm the actual authority before submitting.
A public road approval, utility-owner acceptance and permission to enter private property solve different parts of the route.
DDOT regulates use and occupancy of District public space and links to its transportation permitting system. Building plans touching a sidewalk, street or public-space utility route need their separate public-space questions resolved.
Map property and public-space boundaries, utility work, temporary occupation and pedestrian access. Coordinate DDOT permits with DOB documents and any other actual land or asset owner rather than assuming the building permit authorizes street work.
Mark poles, railroads, waterways, building entrances and private easements that affect the proposed work. Have the responsible survey, engineering, environmental and property-rights parties resolve their assigned questions. Preserve the distinction between a drawing approval, an access agreement and authorization to start construction.
Not every project needs every review. Record the reason each pathway applies, or the authority's determination that it does not.
Ask the relevant local offices about land use, site development, drainage and floodplain conditions. Food service, care, assembly, pools, storage and other operations can introduce health, fire or licensing questions. Share the actual operating description, equipment and occupants so these are evaluated alongside the plans.
True North can coordinate the agreed drawings, applications, comment register and project records. The responsible professionals retain technical design, survey and signature duties; owners authorize decisions and access; contractors retain their construction responsibilities. Define these roles in the proposal, including field information and any partner construction scope.
Keep a register with authority, scope, application number, plan revision, next action, responsible party and expiration or release condition. Include required inspections, restoration, specialty acceptance and owner records. Fees and timing depend on the actual scope and external decisions; an uploaded package is not a permit or a guaranteed start date.
Before you begin
Identify the property, existing and proposed use, scope and responsible professionals. Complete the applicable checklist, coordinate plans and supporting approvals, and verify the applicant task has moved the package into review. For a route, include the mapped limits and asset owner. Send a brief summary first; we can identify an appropriate way to exchange detailed project documents after defining the scope.
No. It identifies researched starting points and preparation questions. The applicable city, county, state office or asset owner sets the current requirements for your project. Confirm those with the actual location and proposed use before filing.
Yes. We can scope a specific drawing, review-comment response or application, or coordinate a broader document and approval package. Identify the desired handoff and existing team so responsibilities and exclusions are clear.
Source check ·
Use the linked authority’s current instructions for your actual property, use and work. Agency procedures can change; a source check is not a project approval.
Building or fire-review scope and preparation guidance. Any city-specific example applies only within that authority's jurisdiction.
Roadway or utility application starting point. Confirm current forms and project-specific conditions with the responsible office.
Your next step
Start with what you know. We’ll help define the path ahead.