![Events Calendar](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090116174646im_/http://www.inauguration.dc.gov/images/blockimg1.jpg)
Events Calendar
Information on Balls, Galas, the Inaugural Parade, and the Swearing In Ceremony.
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Inauguration Day Countdown
What can we help you find?
![]() ![]() Apply for permits and parking. ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Accessibility at the Swearing-In Ceremony. ![]()
FAQs
Q. What are the hours of operation for the MetroAccess service?
Short Term Rental FAQs
Q. What does the Mayor’s Order regarding short-term rental activity during the inauguration actually do?
A. In the District of Columbia, the renting of residential property generally requires a Certificate of Occupancy and a Basic Business License with the relevant housing endorsements. The Mayor has suspended enforcement of these requirements during the inaugural period to alleviate the expected shortage of hotel and other accommodations. The District will not enforce these requirements with respect to rental agreements that begin after January 12, 2009 and end before January 28, 2009, and in which the property was already being used for residential purposes on November 18, 2008.
A. The answer to this question is to be found in your lease, not in the Mayor’s Order. You may sublet your apartment if your lease so permits or is silent on the issue. Generally, however, rental leases prohibit subletting. Subletting in violation of a lease prohibition -- as does the violation of any material lease term -- gives your landlord grounds to evict you. You may also be liable to your landlord for damage caused by the sub-lessee and for violating your lease.
Q. What number should the public call during the Inauguration to contact the Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration (ABRA)?
A. 311
PARKING
Q. I’m planning on driving to the Inauguration. Will I be able to drive into the District and find parking?
A. Driving into the District on Inauguration Day will be very difficult. Most of the inbound bridges will be closed to normal traffic and motorists can expect heavy congestion on the city’s major thoroughfares. In addition, many parking spaces close to the National Mall will not be available or will be reserved for authorized vehicles. Therefore, we suggest that you plan to park in outlying locations and use Metro to access the event. A list of parking locations is available on www.inauguration.dc.gov.
Q. I live inside the designated security perimeter for the Inauguration. Will I be able to park on my street?
A. Yes, but once the Secret Service restricts access to the security areas on the morning of January 20, no unauthorized vehicles will be allowed in or out until the security restrictions are lifted.
Q. I live in one of the areas designated for bus parking. Will there be any street parking available in my neighborhood?
A. The District does not plan to park any charter buses in front of single family residences. However, there will be no parking allowed on non-residential streets and as a result it could be difficult to find open parking spaces.
Q. I live in one of the bus parking areas and I have a reserved parking space in my building. Will I be able to drive in and out of my garage on January 20?
A. If you have identification or other evidence to confirm your address, you will be allowed in and out of the bus parking areas but not if you reside in the hard perimeter.
Q. I work in one of the areas designated for bus parking. Will I be able to drive to my building?
A. No. Only authorized vehicles and buses will be allowed in the areas cordoned off for bus parking. In any case, driving into the city will be difficult and parking will be extremely limited. If you are working on January 20, please consider telecommuting if possible, or consider taking public transit or carpooling if you must travel into the District.
Q. Will residential zone parking restrictions be enforced on Inauguration Day?
A. January 20 is a District Government holiday and as a result there will be no rush hour or residential zone enforcement. However, motorists are reminded not to park in front of bus stops, fire hydrants and spaced designated with “No Parking Anytime” signs. In addition, there will be widespread parking restrictions and road closures in the vicinity of the Inaugural events and you should be on the lookout for temporary “No Parking” signs.
DC BUSINESS / GETTING TO WORK
Q. I work inside the designated security perimeter for the Inauguration and I usually park in the garage in my building. Will I be able to drive in to work on January 20?
A. No. The Secret Service will restrict access to the security areas at approximately 4 a.m. on January 20 and no unauthorized vehicles will be allowed in or out until the security restrictions are lifted.
Q. I work inside one of the areas designated for bus parking. Will I be able to drive to my building?
A. No. Only authorized vehicles and buses will be allowed in the areas cordoned off for bus parking. In any case, driving into the city will be difficult and parking will be extremely limited.
Q. I live in Virginia and work in the District. Will I be able to drive to work across the Potomac River?
A. No. All of the bridges connecting the District and Northern Virginia will be closed to personal vehicles. (http://inauguration.dc.gov/parking_areas.asp).
Q. If I can’t drive, how should I get to work?
A. There are a number of alternate ways to get to work on January 20, including public transportation. Metro will be running rush hour rail service beginning at 4 am and enhanced bus service throughout the Washington area (www.wmata.com). Ridership is expected to be very high so allow extra time for your commute. You can also walk or bicycle across any of the Potomac and Anacostia River bridges, or use any number of transportation options being offered in Maryland (www.maryland.gov) and Virginia (www.virginia.gov). Also, if possible, please consider telecommuting or taking leave that day.
Q. Will my company be able to make deliveries to businesses in downtown DC on January 20?
A. The volume of vehicle and pedestrian traffic, coupled with the road closures, will make it virtually impossible for trucking companies to engage in their normal operations on Inauguration Day. Therefore, the District Department of Transportation is encouraging all trucking companies to avoid the District of Columbia on Tuesday, January 20, 2009. The downtown area will be closed and inaccessible to all traffic. To prepare for the 2009 Presidential Inauguration, please consider the following:
Q. Are you confident that streets will be reopened by morning rush hour on Wednesday, January 21?
A. Yes.
Q. If I live in Southeast and work in Northwest, how will I get to work, since I can’t cross the hard perimeter?
A. You can’t drive through the hard perimeter, but you can walk. You can also use Metrorail to get across town.
Q. What is the southern boundary of the hard perimeter?
A. A map of the perimeter boundaries is available online at www.secretservice.gov.
Q. Can employees enter the hard perimeter on the 19th?
A. Yes, however please note that crews will begin setting up barricades at approximately 1 pm on Monday, January 19 in preparation for the Inauguration. As a result, travel in the downtown area will become more difficult that afternoon and evening.
Q. Are there parking or other restrictions on 16th Street and Georgia Avenue?
A. A complete list of road closings and parking restrictions is posted online at www.gettingthere.dc.gov.
Q. How will essential building staff access the secure perimeter, the soft perimeter, and the yellow bus parking zone?
A. All pedestrians will be able to enter the zones where vehicular traffic is restricted.
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