The District of Columbia Department of Transportation (DDOT) is implementing adjustments to the Public Inconvenience Fee (PIF) as part of the proposed Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Support Act. This fee—assessed on individuals and contractors for occupying public space (like sidewalks and roadways) for construction and excavation past a 30-day grace period—is undergoing structural and rate modifications to incentivize the timely return of public space.
For utility and construction companies performing work in the public rights-of-way, DDOT has updated calculation methodologies to increase accountability for lengthy space disruptions. The specific increases depend on the project’s scope, size, and right-of-way frontage.
