Government Project FAQs

Projects proposed for federal and D.C. government-owned properties in the District of Columbia are submitted by the federal or D.C. agency responsible for the project directly to CFA for design review. Any government project that requires a construction permit is also submitted directly to CFA for review rather than through the D.C. Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA), unlike private construction projects subject to CFA review under the Shipstead-Luce and Old Georgetown Acts.

Design review refers to the review of the aesthetic character of new or renovated construction or other public artistic endeavors. The CFA considers whether a proposed design is in keeping with such criteria as aesthetic merit, compatibility with and protection of historic structures and landscapes, best professional practices, and the advancement of the design of the capital city or other national symbols.

No. Submissions for memorials proposed for publicly owned land must be made by a federal or D.C. government agency.

It is highly recommended, especially for new structures or large projects, that the applicants and/or their agent contact CFA staff prior to submission to determine if there is any additional or special information that should be included in the submission. CFA staff may also recommend an informal staff consultation meeting prior to submission.

Concept review provides an opportunity for the applicants to know what is acceptable at an early stage of design, but a concept approval does not constitute the required CFA review of the final submission. In effect, it is a courtesy review to make the review of the final submission more predictable. There may be several concept or revised concept reviews over the course of a project, depending upon the size, complexity, and significance of the proposed work.

The final, or permit, review of a project should occur at a point where no significant design changes are anticipated; the final review constitutes the official review of the project. A submission for final review should incorporate the recommendations made by the Commission during concept review; it should not introduce any major changes from the approved concept design.

Under certain circumstances and upon the advice of CFA staff, the concept phase may be skipped. The determination will be made by CFA staff based on the scope and proposed design of the project and the characteristics of the subject property.

The final review of a project should occur at a point where no significant design changes are anticipated, when the documentation of the project is at least 80% complete. For those projects requiring a construction permit, the final, complete permit drawings will also need to be reviewed by CFA staff before signing the permit application.

Concept and final approvals by the CFA expire after four years for D.C. and federal government projects. If construction of the project has not been substantially started within that period, the applicant must make a new submission for review by the CFA.

Yes. CFA staff participation in public review processes is independent of the requirement for design review by the CFA.

Yes. Informal consultation with CFA staff in meetings prior to submission for CFA review is often recommended, but it does not substitute for the required formal review by CFA.

Site modifications, signs, window and door replacements, mechanical equipment (such as vents, meters, and rooftop condensers), visible electrical wiring and lighting, and other exterior changes commonly associated with interior renovations all require review by the CFA. CFA review is not required only if there are no changes proposed to the exterior of the property.

• minor repairs, including masonry repointing
• replacement of roofs that are not visible from the ground
• installation, removal, or repair of underground storage tanks, underground utility lines and underground waterproofing measures
• temporary construction barriers and scaffolding and public space permits for dumpsters and parking
• changes of use involving no physical change to the exterior of the property

CFA has no written policies or guidelines for design review; each case is considered by the CFA on its merits.

Large or complex projects require a presentation before the Commission of Fine Arts; CFA staff will notify you if your case requires presentation to the CFA. Presentation materials may include projected digital media, boards, models, and material samples, and should convey very clearly the intent and design of the project. It is recommended that the applicant consult with CFA staff prior to submitting presentation materials.

All presentation materials, including digital media, must be received by CFA staff no later than the Monday before the Commission meeting. Revised digital presentations will not be accepted the day of the meeting. Please contact CFA staff to coordinate the delivery of physical models and material samples.

A written transcript is made of the public meetings of the Commission of Fine Arts. Copies of transcripts are available for reference, as are digitally recorded audio excerpts, but neither of these is considered an official record of the meeting. The official records of the CFA meetings are: the recommendation letter (sent to the applicant after the meeting); meeting minutes (made public following approval at the subsequent Commission meeting); and the approved consent calendar. Once approved, these record documents are available online.

Concerned citizens may submit their comments in support of or in opposition to a specific project, in writing to cfastaff@cfa.gov, through the CFA website, or to 401 F Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001. These documents will be distributed to the Commission members and will become part of the public record. As the Commission of Fine Arts is a design review entity, please limit comments to design issues only.

Citizens may also attend the public meetings of the Commission of Fine Arts and communicate their concerns, at the discretion of the CFA Chairman. Please contact CFA staff at (202) 504-2200 or cfastaff@cfa.gov if you wish to submit comments for the public meeting. Please note that comments must be brief and must address only the design issues being presented.

CFA submission files and review history are made available to the public by appointment only. Please contact the Records Officer at (202) 504-2200 or cfastaff@cfa.gov to make an appointment. When doing so, please state specific projects and dates of review. Some materials, such as meeting minutes and other records of CFA review, are also available online.