Beginning October 1, 2019, there will be changes to the Fire Hydrant Use Permit Program. The issuing of fire hydrant use permits, and equipment will be changed to one site: 3900 Donaldson Pl NW Washington DC. New fees for processing permits and renting equipment will be collected before issuing equipment. Deposits will be refunded minus any damages to equipment and fees refunded if there is a balance.
The schedule of deposit and fees are below:
| Description |
Current Fee New Fee Effective October 1, 2022 |
|---|---|
| Fire Hydrant Use - Water & Sewer Rate | Usage-based |
| Fire Hydrant Permit Fee | $75 |
| 3" Fire Hydrant Meter Deposit (refundable) | $1,600 per rental
$1,750 per rental |
| 3" Fire Hydrant Meter Rental (<15 days) |
$75 per rental $130 per rental |
| 3” Fire Hydrant Meter Rental (≥15 days) | $5 per rental per day
$10 per rental per day |
| 3” Fire Hydrant Meter with Backflow Preventer Deposit | $2,200 per rental
$2,750 per rental |
| 3” Fire Hydrant Meter with Backflow Preventer Rental (<15 days) | $150 per rental
$195 per rental |
| 3” Fire Hydrant Meter with Backflow Preventer Rental (≥15 days) |
$10 per rental per day $15 per rental per day |
| 5/8” Fire Hydrant Meter with Backflow Preventer Deposit | $700 per rental
$950 per rental |
| 5/8” Fire Hydrant Meter with Backflow Preventer Rental (<15 days) | $75 per rental
$115 per rental |
| 5/8” Fire Hydrant Meter with Backflow Preventer Rental (≥15 days) | $5 per rental per day
$10 per rental per day |
Who has to pay this fee?
Any person(s) who seeks to connect to a fire hydrant for any use other than firefighting operations needs to submit a request and permit application to FHUP@dcwater.com. Permit and equipment issuance will now take place at 3900 Donaldson Pl NW Washington, DC 20016 Monday to Friday 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM.
Why are you charging this fee? Where does the money go?
The fire hydrant use fees will help reimburse DC Water’s cost of service to buy, inspect and maintain fire hydrant meters and backflow preventers, investigate illegal hydrant connections and enforce fire hydrant use policies. The money will go towards purchase of equipment, tools, labor, and vehicle expenses.
I have more questions about the fire hydrant fees and permitting process.
More information about the fee can be found at dcwater.com/fees, and permits at dcwater.com/fire-hydrant-use-permit.
Contact the Compliance Program by phone (202) 364-3144 (M-F, 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM) or through email at FHUP@dcwater.com.
