All phone numbers are area code 202 unless otherwise noted.

Never get lost navigating the uncertain waters of local government again. This guide answers basic questions about living in Washington -- from voting and paying taxes to pets and parking.

Browse, or jump to the table of contents for quick answers. Go ahead and suggest questions you'd like to see answered here.

From your school system:

Guide to School System

Teacher Salaries

Test Scores

How do I register my kid for school?
Take your child to the school that he or she will be attending. Take along a birth certificate, proof of address, and records of immunizations and physical exam. To find out which school your child will be attending, you can call Transfer and Out of Boundary services at 724-2066. Your child must be enrolled in school if he or she turns 5 by Dec. 31 of that calendar year.

School starts the day after Labor Day. Schools schedule summer orientation sessions on a school-by-school basis.

When do report cards come out?
Report cards come out four times a year shortly after the end of each grading period. Grading periods end in November, January, April and June. In school year 1995-1996, the dates were Nov. 8, Jan. 26, April 11, and the last day of school, June 18. For more information, you can call the D.C. schools communications branch at 724-4044.

When are vacations?
For school year 1996-97, school starts the day after Labor Day, Sept. 3. Holidays are:
Columbus Day, Oct. 3
Veterans Day, Nov. 11
Teacher Inservice, Nov. 15
Thanksgiving break, Nov. 28-29
Winter break, Dec. 23-Jan. 1
Martin Luther King's Birthday (Observed), Jan. 20
President's Day, Feb. 17
Spring Vacation, March 24-31
Teacher Inservice, April 18
Memorial Day, May 27

June 19 is the last day of school for students; June 23 is last day for teachers.

From your local government:

Useful Government Numbers

How to Prepare for Emergencies

Bylaws of the Financial Control Board

When and where do I have to register to vote?
In the District of Columbia, registration always closes 30 days prior to any election.

Washingtonians can register to vote through the motor-voter program. When obtaining or changing your driver's license, on the same application, you can fill out the voter registration form.

If you'd like to register by mail, you can also pick up an application at your nearest library, fire house, police station, or at the D.C. Board of Elections and Ethics, 441 Fourth St. NW, Suite 250, 20001. If you mail in your registration, it has to be postmarked no later than the deadline date.

For more information, call 727-2525.

When are local elections held?
In general, local elections are held every two years in September and November. In September, primaries are held for the District's four major parties. In November, the general election includes the winners of the primaries, independents and minor parties running, as well as Board of Education and Advisory Neighborhood Commission elections.

The District's four major parties are the Democrats, at 554-8790; Republicans at 662-1382; D.C. Statehood at 973-2100; and Umoja Party at 635-2263.

Who are my city's representatives, how can I reach them, and when and where do they meet?
(Click on an official's name below to read his or her biography, supplied by the local government.)

The District is governed by a mayor and city council, overseen by Congress and a financial control board.

Here's how to contact the Mayor, the City Council, the Financial Control Board, the School Board, and the congressional delegation.

The mayor is Marion Barry. You can reach him by phone at 727-2643, or by mail at:
Executive Office of the Mayor
One Judiciary Square, Suite 1100
441 4th St. NW
Washington, D.C. 20001

The mayor serves a 4-year term. The next mayoral election is in 1998. Term limits are now in effect for all D.C. offices. The maximum time a member can serve on the council or as mayor is two consecutive terms.

The City Council representatives are:
Chairman David A. Clarke (At Large), 724-8176
Chairman Pro Tempore John Ray (At Large), 724-8105
Councilmember Linda Cropp (At Large), 724-8032
Councilmember William Lightfoot (At Large), 724-8045
Councilmember Hilda Mason (At Large), 724-8064
Councilmember Frank Smith ( Ward 1), 724-8179
Councilmember Jack Evans (Ward 2), 724-8058
Councilmember Kathleen Patterson (Ward 3), 724-8063
Councilmember Charlene Drew Jarvis (Ward 4), 724-8052
Councilmember Harry L. Thomas Sr. (Ward 5), 724-8028
Councilmember Harold Brazil (Ward 6), 724-8174
Councilmember Kevin P. Chavous (Ward 7), 724-8068
Councilmember Eydie Whittington (Ward 8), 724-8072

The City Council's mailing address is:
1350 Pennsylvania Ave.
Washington, D.C. 20004

Council members serve four-year terms. Two at-large seats, those of William Lightfoot and John Ray, are up for election in 1996, as well as seats in Wards 2, 4, 7 and 8. The remaining Council seats are up for grabs in 1998.

The Financial Control Board
In June 1995, Bill Clinton (that's right, President of the United States) appointed a five-member Financial Control Board. The board has authority to review and reject all city legislation, to review the proposed city budget, and to approve the city's borrowing of any loans. According to the legislation empowering the financial control board, the board will retain control of District finances until the city has balanced four consecutive budgets and repaid any new borrowings. All positions on the control board are unpaid (although they have a staff whose salaries they control), and terms are three years. The members of the control board are:

Chairman Andrew F. Brimmer
Joyce A. Ladner
Constance B. Newman
Stephen D. Harlan
Edward A. Singletary

You can contact the members of the control board at: District of Columbia Financial Responsibility and Management Assistance Authority, 1 Thomas Circle, Washington D.C. 20005. The phone number is 504-3400.

The board holds public hearings on an as-needed basis; hearings are announced in the press shortly before they are held, and you can call the above number early in the week and speak to the switchboard operator to find out whether any public hearings are scheduled in the immediate future.

The School Board members are:
President Karen Shook (At large), 724-5450
Vice President Sandra Butler-Truesdale (Ward 4), 724-5453
Valencia Mohammed (At large), 724-5456
Jay Silberman (At large), 724-5452
Wilma Harvey (Ward 1), 724-5460
Ann Wilcox (Ward 2), 724-5459
Erika Landberg (Ward 3), 724-5457
Angie Corley (Ward 5), 724-5451
Bernard Gray, Sr. (Ward 6), 724-5449
Terry Hairston (Ward 7), 724-5447
Linda Moody (Ward 8), 724-5461
Christina Young (Student Representative), 724-4289

The school board's address is 415 12th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20004. The board also may be reached through the executive secretary's office at 724-4289.

Board members are elected to four-year terms. In 1996, the Ward 1, Ward 3, Ward 5, Ward 6, and two of the at-large seats will be up for election. The other seats will be up for election in 1998.

Congressional Delegation
Although the District enjoys no vote in the House or Senate, Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-At Large) has been the D.C. Delegate since January 1991. She can be reached at 225-8050. Norton does not vote but she does serve on committees. Her address is 1424 Longworth, House Office Building, Washington, D.C. 20515. Del. Norton's seat is up for election in 1996.

The city does elect two "shadow" senators (who have no voice in the Senate) and one "shadow" representative (who has no voice in the House) every two years. Those now in office are Sen. Florance Pendleton, Sen. Jesse Jackson and Rep. John Capozzi, all Democrats. All but Pendleton's seat are up for re-election in 1996. Her seat comes up for a vote in 1998.

What is the non-emergency police phone number?
727-1010

What is required to register my car here, how much does it cost, and where can I do it?
To register your vehicle in the District, you need a certificate of origin or title; proof of insurance information; a lien contract if there's an outstanding loan; and valid photo identification.

The cost varies. A fee schedule is available from the department. For more information, call the automated information line at 727-6680.

Vehicle registration can be processed at the Bureau of Motor Vehicle Services at 301 C St. NW, Room 1157, Window 1.

Office hours are 8:15 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. On Wednesday the office is open until 7 p.m. The least crowded times are days in the middle of the month, between 2 and 4 p.m.

Can I park my car anywhere on the street? How much do permits cost?
If you wish to park in a residential neighborhood for more than a few hours, you need a permit sticker. If you live in the neighborhood, the sticker costs $10 per year. If you are not a D.C. resident but are a student, a congressional appointee or a member of the military, you may obtain a reciprocity sticker for $125. If you are visiting a D.C. resident, you can obtain a parking permit from the local police headquarters. Guest permits are good for up to two weeks.

Will they really tow my car if I don't have a permit?
Your car will be ticketed if you don't have a permit. If it is parked beside a fire hydrant or in such a way as to pose a life-threatening safety problem, it will be towed. If you have three or more unpaid tickets, your car will be booted, and if you fail to respond to the boot within about 48 hours, it may be towed.

Also beware that even with a permit, the law requires that your car not be parked in the same spot on the street for more than 72 hours. Though this law is rarely enforced in most residential areas, residents of downtown D.C. have been ticketed on this basis.

Finally, although almost everybody complains about the zealousness of D.C.'s parking enforcement officials, all streets are well-marked regarding where you can and can't park, and during what hours. If you are unsure about whether you can park in a spot, just find the nearest parking sign.

What property is taxed?
Real estate is taxed. In addition, all tangible personal property used in a trade or business is taxed.

How and when are property tax assessments made?
Real estate assessments are made every year. Property owners get an assessment notice in the mail in the beginning of March.

For property used in a trade or business, the city will send FP-31 reporting forms in late May or early June. The taxpayer must complete the form, including assessing the value himself or herself, and send in the completed form with a check by July 31.

What are the current tax rates, and how often are they changed?
The tax rate for class 1 or residential, owner-occupied property is 96 cents per 100 dollars of assessed value; it's $1.54 cents per $100 for class 2, residential property in which the owner does not reside.

The real estate tax rates haven't changed for several years, but they can change every year. For more information call Real Property Administration at 727-6447.

For property used in a trade or business, the rate is $3.40 per $100 of assessed value, although there are some exceptions and pro-rating. For specific information call the Individual Income and Business Tax Information Office at 727-6104.

Do I have to recycle?
No.

What can I recycle?
Paper such as newspaper, office paper, telephone number books, direct mail, cardboard boxes; plastics such as milk cartons, empty bottles and supermarket bags; and metals, such as cans and aluminum paper. For more detailed information, see page 41 of your Bell Atlantic phone book.

Does the city pick up recycling material at the curbside?
If you live in a house, recyclables are collected curbside on the same day that your trash is picked up, every other week. If your trash is picked up twice a week, your recycling will be picked up on the second day. Leave recycled paper in brown paper bags or tied with string and your glass, plastics and metals in your green box. (The box is provided by the Department of Pubic Works and distributed by Eagle Maintenance, the recycling contractor. To order one, call 291-0200.) If you wish to take your items to the recycler, go to Eagle Maintenance Services at 6130 North Capitol St. NW. If you want more information about recycling, you can call the Sanitation Departments 24-hour automated answer line at 727-5856. You can also contact the recycling office at 727-5887 or go to the D.C. Office of Recycling at 65 K St. NE., Lower Level.

If you live in an apartment building, your building makes its own arrangements to have recyclables collected. Contact your building management for information.

What is the water billing schedule and rate?
For water, city residents are billed every three months. The water and sewer rates are $2.868 per 100 cubic feet (148 gallons). If you have questions about your bill, call D.C. Department of Water and Sewers' customer service representative at 727-5240.

What is the electricity and gas bill schedule and rate?
Residential electricity billing rates are changed regularly – even monthly -- in the District. For the most recent winter, residential rates started with a $2.25 minimum charge for the first 30 kilowatt hours (kwh). The next 370 kwh cost about .05 cents per kwh and all the power after that initial 400 kwh was billed at about .09 cents per kwh. Winter rates, which are usually lower than summer rates, are billed from November-May. Customers are billed monthly. If you have billing questions, call PEPCO at 833-7500.

Washington Gas sends out bills on a staggered monthly schedule. Rates depend on customer class and where you live. If you have questions about your bill, call (703) 750-1000.

What are the phone rates and providers?
Bell Atlantic offers a wide range of services including economy service ranging from $1 per month plus about 6.6 cents per call to unlimited flat rate service of $14.60 per month with unlimited calls in the District, suburban Maryland and Northern Virginia. The charges include the federal subscriber mandate charge of about $3.50.

Bell Atlantic also offers a variety of optional services including Call Waiting, Answer Call, and Call Trace.

Bills are sent monthly and may also include charges from other long-distance or service companies. You can pay by mail or at one of a number of alternate payment locations, such as at some drug stores or supermarkets.

For more information on residential services, call 954-6263 or check the front pages of your phone book. For questions about business rates, call 954-6275.

Does the city offer classes and sports leagues? Where can I get a catalog?
For information on sport leagues for adults, call 645-3939. To find out about classes offered at 83 different locations citywide, call 673-7660 and ask the Department of Recreation and Parks to send you a tabloid calendar, which is printed twice a year.

Where can I find a public swimming pool?
The city operates six indoor pools (including one therapeutic pool), 20 outdoor and 15 "Walk To Learn" pools (for kids 12 and under). To find the pool nearest you, you can look in the blue pages of your Bell Atlantic phone book under "Recreation and Parks," or call the Aquatic Division of the Department of Recreation and Parks at 576-6436.

Where can I find parks?
Great parks are one of this city's main assets. Most of the city's parks, including the fabulous Rock Creek Park, the Mall, the C&O Canal, and Carter Barron Amphitheatre (which is host to entertainment events throughout the summer) are maintained by the National Park Service. The city issues permits for individuals to have events or picnics at Rock Creek and Fort Dupont parks; call 673-7646. For more information from the city on parks, call the office of planning at 673-7692. For the National Park Service, call 619-7222.

Where can I find libraries?
The city has 27 libraries offering a range of services and events. The main branch of the District libraries is the Martin Luther King Library at 901 G St. NW. Libraries have different schedules of openings and closings. For more information, call 727-1186.

Where can I find gyms/recreation centers?
The city operates about 100 gyms and recreation centers in neighborhoods around the District. Call the D.C. Youth Sports office 576-6361 to get a catalog of gyms or to find the one closest to your home.

Can I let my dog or cat run without a leash?
The law says no. A dog must be on a leash or under the immediate control of its owner. Cats must be inside the house at all times. In addition, authorities recommend you not keep your dogs outside. Those left outside are frequently stolen.

Do I have to have my pet spayed or neutered?
"No, not by law, but we prefer it," says Tim Nicholson, of the D.C. Animal Shelter. "We take in 12,000 animals a year; of those, 2,000 find homes. The others are put to sleep."

The Washington Humane Society operates a low-cost spay and neuter clinic at 7315 Georgia Ave. NW. The number there is 882-5837.

Do I have to have my pet licensed, and what's required?
All dogs have to be licensed. To obtain a license, visit D.C. Animal Control at 1201 New York Ave. NE or call 576-6664 for more information. Proof of vaccinations and a license fee are required. The fee for a neutered or spayed dog is $10. Add $25 more for an un-fixed animal.

A hobby permit is required if you own more than five animals larger than a guinea pig. These can also be obtained from Animal Control.

Is there a pooper-scooper rule?
Yes, though the enmity of your neighbors is probably the worst penalty you'll ever incur. The scooper law is rarely if ever enforced. The fine for failing to scoop is $25.

If my neighbor and I have a dispute (radio is too loud, dogs digging in my yard), is there a group or agency that can help us resolve it?
For a problem with noise, please call the noise control department 727-7266 at the Office of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs. For any other kind of neighbor dispute, if you are not sure whom to call, contact the public information officer at the Office of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs and she will direct you. The number is 727-7247.

What if my landlord won't spray for cockroaches?
If you have a dispute with your landlord, call the Office of Rental Accommodations at 727-7315.

Back to District of Columbia Q&A

Government
When and where do I have to register to vote?
When are local elections held?
Who are my city's representatives, how can I reach them, and when are where do they meet?
What is the non-emergency police phone number ?

Cars and Parking
What is required to register my car here, how much does it cost, and where can I do it?
Can I park my car anywhere on the street? How much does a permit cost?
Will they really tow my car if I don't have a permit?

Taxes
What property is taxed?
How and when are property tax assessments made?
What are the current tax rates, and how often are they changed?

Recycling
Do I have to recycle?
What can I recycle?
Does the city pick up recycling material at the curbside?

Utilities
What is the water billing schedule and rate?
What is the electricity and gas bill schedule and rate?
What are the phone rates and providers?

Recreation
Does the city offer classes and sports leagues? Where can I get a catalog?
Where can I find . . .

A public swimming pool?
Parks?
Libraries?
Gyms/Recreation Centers?

Pets
Can I let my dog or cat run without a leash?
Do I have to have my pet spayed or neutered?
Do I have to have my pet licensed, and what's required?
Is there a pooper-scooper rule?

Dealing with Other People
If my neighbor and I have a dispute (radio is too loud, dogs digging in my yard), is there a group or agency that can help us resolve it?
What if my landlord won't spray for cockroaches?