Bolthole Index county-legal census · checked 2026-09-11
1 of District of Columbia's 1 counties — 100% — let an owner build their own home without a licensed contractor. That is the 49th-largest count of any state. The strongest of them on the Bolthole Index is District of Columbia (22/100). Every entry below cites the county’s own official source.
Rules change, and cities inside these counties set their own — treat this as a verified starting point, not legal advice. All 1516 counties nationwide → Full District of Columbia profile →
1 of 1 District of Columbia counties · sorted by Index score
Statewide rule. A homeowner of a single-family or two-family home applying for a District of Columbia building permit and acting as contractor of record. The applicant must be t…
Permitting FAQs ↗Every county here has a full profile — water, land prices, hazard safety, seclusion, and the rest of its building rules. See the District of Columbia state page for all 1 counties ranked, or go back to the national list.
General guidance, not legal advice. Off-grid, building, and land-use rules are often set at the county level and change often. Verify with your county and state before acting. Data reviewed 2026-06-26.
