Washington DC permits — week of 2026-05-18

DC's permit volume dropped sharply this week — 512 filings, down more than a fifth from the prior week — and every single one came in with no declared value, making this one of the most data-dark weeks the city has logged in recent memory. The absence of valuation data isn't just a reporting quirk; it signals either a heavy mix of trade and renewal permits or a systemic reporting lag. The lone commercial address of note, 1201 F Street NW in the heart of downtown, stands out in a week otherwise dominated by residential tradespeople and homeowners.