Good Neighbor Guide (2007-2008 Edition)
The Foggy Bottom Historic District is primarily a residential area and includes many single-family homes dating to the late 1800's and early 1900's.
Foggy Bottom is truly a unique convenient place to live, especially when all residents - - owners and renters alike - - care for their homes and yards, avoiding disturbing their neighbors and enjoy this urban neighborhood's advantages.
You too can help make Foggy Bottom a great place to live. This leaflet is designed to remind you, as a resident of the city, of the rules and regulations and whom to call if you need help or have to file a complaint.
It is also important for you to express yur opinion by submitting comments to the city, attending ANC & Foggy Bottom Association meetings, or participating in an email dialogue. (See back page for how you can participate).
Trash Pick-Up Days
Recycling
Bulk Trash Pick-Up
Litter & Graffiti
Snow Removal
Noise at Night
Student Disturbances
DC Drinking Age
Pets
Sidewalks and Tree Spaces
Lamp Post Signs
Parking and Blocking Sidewalks
Foggy Bottom Garden Club
If You Rent
Historic Preservation
Voting Rights
Phone Numbers and Websites
The Foggy Bottom Association
The Foggy Bottom / West End Advisory Neighborhood Commission
Foggy Bottom E-Mail Alert
TRASH PICK-UP DAYS
D.C. collects trash from houses twice a week, Tuesday and Friday mornings. A holiday delays the pick-up one day. Trash should be placed on the curb after 6 p.m. on the night before the collection day in a sturdy trashcan. No trash is to be left out in-between the trash pick-up days. Call 727-1000 to receive city trashcans and recycling bins. Violators are subject to stiff fines by the city from $35 to $1,000. Don't let trash blow away on windy days.
RECYCLING
Newspapers, cans, bottles and plastic containers (1" or 2") on the bottom) for recycling are collected on Fridays only (sometimes delayed to Saturdays). They must be placed in the recycling containers provided by the city. Newspapers must be tied and cardboard boxes must be broken down and tied.
BULK TRASH PICK-UP
Call 727-1000 to arrange for bulk trash pick-up. It is illegal to place bulk trash such as furniture, large appliances and mattresses, in front of your house prior to the bulk pick-up day.
LITTER & GRAFFITI
Studies have shown that not removing litter and graffiti immediately only leads to more litter and graffiti. Please pick up any litter you see and
report any graffiti (727-1000).
SNOW REMOVAL
Homeowners and renters are responsible for removing snow from the front of their houses. After a snowstorm, D.C. law requires tsnow be removed from the sidewalk within 8 hours.
NOISE AT NIGHT
D.C. law makes it illegal to make noise between 11 p.m. - 7 a.m. that would disturb your neighbors' sleep. Loud parties, playing loud music, or any other activity that creates noise after 11 p.m. are subject to fines by the city and even arrest. Report excessive noise to D.C. Police - dial 311. You may need to call more than once.
STUDENT DISTURBANCES
Most students are good neighbors. A few, however, cause problems.
Report excessive noise or disturbances to the D.C. Police; dial 311 for non-emergency calls.
You should also report student disturbances to GWU so they can compile a record and discipline students who are repeatedly disruptive: GWU Police: 994-6110.
The University Police Chief has a TIP line for confidential reports. You can call 994-TIPS (8477) or report it on a web form at the following web address:
http://www.neighborhood.gwu.edu/contactgw/concerns.cfm and Call the Director of Off-Campus Student Affairs - 202-994-0334.
D.C. DRINKING AGE
In Washington D.C., it is illegal to provide alcohol to anyone under the age of 21. Call the police if your are aware of violations of this law and file a report with the MPD and the GWU Police.
PETS
District law requires owners to pick up and dispose of their pets' leavings even on grassy park areas. Your neighbors don't like to track dog leavings into their cars or homes. It is also a food source for rats. Do not let your pet urinate on small bushes because it may kill them. Moreover, it will disappoint your neighbors who planted them to help beautify the neighborhood. Fines range from $35 to $2000.
There is a pet park on 26th street where you and your pet can make many friends. Do not let your pet in the children's park, because pet droppings can make small children sick.
SIDEWALKS AND TREE SPACES
Although they technically belong to the city, D.C. law requires residents to keep them clean. Leaves must be removed and bagged. Leaves should also be removed from the curbside gutters.
LAMP POST SIGNS
It is illegal to post anything on D.C. property - lampposts, trees, or utility boxes. If you see signs, please remove them (except ANC notices).
PARKING & BLOCKING SIDEWALKS
Much of the area has residential parking restrictions banning daytime and evening parking for more than 2 hours, except for cars displaying a Zone 2 residential parking permit. Ticketing is frequent and unrelenting! Temporary parking permits for visitors are available at the 2nd Police District. It is also illegal to park a vehicle so it blocks the sidewalk. Call Police on 311 to report violators.
FOGGY BOTTOM GARDEN CLUB
Help beautify our community with half barrels and flowers in the public areas.
To volunteer: call Ken 338-2471
To contribute: send check to
Foggy Bottom Garden Club
909 26 Street NW, Wash DC 20037
IF YOU RENT
For your safety, DC requires landlords to have a Certificate of Occupancy, a Business License, and be a Registered Agent, under certain circumstances, when multiple renters live in a single house. Be sure that your landlord has all the necessary permits. - call 442-4610. If you wish to have a fire safety inspection call DCRA on 442-4400 or the Fire Marshall on 727-1614.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION
Houses within the Foggy Bottom Historic District may require a permit for any exterior work. Call 442-8800 or http://planning.dc.gov/ and click on Historic Preservation.
VOTING RIGHTS
D.C. residents do not have full voting rights in the U.S. Congress. D.C. Vote a non-profit, non-partisan educational and advocacy organization whose mission is to secure full congressional voting rights for District residents - www.DCVote.org
PHONE NUMBERS & WEBSITES
D.C. Police & Fire Emergency - 911
D.C. Police Non-Emergency - 311
To file a complaint or request for service with the D.C. Government:
Call 727-1000, the Mayor's Citywide Call Center. The operator will record
your request or report and give you a reference number for follow-up.
You can also file a service request on the Web
Go to: http://www.dc.gov/ Under eServices (bottom
of left column), select Online Forms and select
File A Consumer Complaint.
Water or Sewer Problem:
Go to: http://www.dcwasa.com
or call 202-354-3600
Second District Police Station
3320 Idaho Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20016
Phone: (202) 282-0070
GWU Police - 202-994-6110
Electric Power Outages - 202-837-2662
Gas Emergency - 703-750-1400
Water & Sewer Emergency - 202-612-3400
Dept. of Motor Vehicles Offices:
Georgetown Park Mall & 300 Indiana Ave NW
West End Library - 202-724-8707
1101 24th Street, N.W.
GWU Office of D.C. & Foggy Bottom /West End Affairs for information on
monthly GWU FRIENDS Meetings and events: 202-994-9132 or http://www.neighborhood.gwu.edu/community/index_community.cfm
Ward 2 D.C. Councilman - Jack Evans
JackEvans@DCcouncil.US
(202)724-8058
THE FOGGY BOTTOM ASSOCIATION…
is a neighborhood civic association, founded in the 1950's to enhance and protect the residential quality of the area and keep residents informed on matters affecting the community. The FBA holds nine monthly meetings each year with speakers of interest to the residents. The meetings are usually held the last Monday of the month (except for July, August, and December). To join the Foggy Bottom Association, send a check for your yearly dues of $15 to: Foggy Bottom Association 2550 Virginia Ave NW, Suite 195, Washington DC 20037.
FOGGY BOTTOM / WEST END ADVISORY NEIGHBORHOOD COMMISSION
is composed of six elected representatives from the community. The ANC is the area's official voice with the District government on matters such as zoning, public safety, and environment. Under the terms of the Home Rule charter, city agencies are to give great weight to the views of the Commission. Public ANC meetings are held once a month, often at the State Plaza Hotel on F Street. Email: ANC2aed@earthlink.net or check web site: http://www.anc2a.org.
FOGGY BOTTOM EMAIL ALERT
Foggy Bottom residents created an email Listserve Group on the www.Yahoo.com web site. This email alert is to inform subscribers on public safety matters and issues involving the city government and the residential quality of the neighborhood. The Alert does not allow advertising or commercial messages. You can subscribe to the Alert for free by first subscribing to Yahoo and then going to the Yahoo Groups and searching for Foggy Bottom. Then look for "Foggy Bottom Alert" and subscribe.
This brochure is a community service of the Foggy Bottom Association (Feb. 07)
view printable version of the Good Neighbor Brochure »
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