---
kind: "section"
citation: "40 U.S.C. § 8712"
title: "40"
title_heading: "Public Buildings, Property, and Works"
number: "8712"
heading: "Mayor of the District of Columbia"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/40/8712"
units:
  - "Subtitle II — Public Buildings and Works"
  - "Part D — Public Buildings, Grounds, and Parks in the District of Columbia"
  - "Chapter 87 — Physical Development of National Capital Region"
  - "Subchapter II — Planning Agencies"
---

# §8712. Mayor of the District of Columbia

- (a) **Planning Responsibilities.—** The Mayor of the District of Columbia is the central [planning agency](/usc/40/8702.md?p=4) for the government of the District of Columbia in the [National Capital](/usc/40/8702.md?p=2) and is responsible for coordinating the planning activities of the District government and for preparing and implementing the District elements of the comprehensive plan for the [National Capital](/usc/40/8702.md?p=2), which may include land use elements, urban renewal and redevelopment elements, a multiyear program of [public works](/usc/40/3501.md?p=2) for the District, and physical, social, economic, transportation, and population elements. The Mayor’s planning responsibility shall not extend to—
  - (1) federal or international projects and developments in the District, as determined by the [National Capital](/usc/40/8702.md?p=2) Planning [Commission](/usc/40/15101.md?p=1); or
  - (2) the [United States](/usc/40/3301.md?p=a-6) Capitol Buildings and Grounds as defined and described in sections [5101](/usc/40/5101.md) and [5102](/usc/40/5102.md) of this title, any extension of, or additions to, those Buildings and Grounds, and buildings and grounds under the care of the Architect of the Capitol.
- (b) **Participation and Consultation.—** In carrying out the responsibilities under this section and [section 8721 of this title](/usc/40/8721.md), the Mayor shall establish procedures for citizen participation in the planning process and for appropriate meaningful consultation with any [state](/usc/40/3501.md?p=3) or local government or [planning agency](/usc/40/8702.md?p=4) in the [National Capital region](/usc/40/8702.md?p=3) affected by any aspect of a comprehensive plan, including amendments, affecting or relating to the District.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 107–217, Aug. 21, 2002, 116 Stat. 1218; Pub. L. 109–284, § 6(28), Sept. 27, 2006, 120 Stat. 1213.)

## Notes

| Historical and Revision Notes |  |  |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Revised<br>Section | Source (U.S. Code) | Source (Statutes at Large) |
| 8712 | 40:71a(a)(2). | June 6, 1924, ch. 270, § 2(a)(2), as added July 19, 1952, ch. 949, § 1, 66 Stat. 782; Pub. L. 93–198, title II, § 203(a), Dec. 24, 1973, 87 Stat. 779. |

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

2006—Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 109–284 inserted “of this title” after “sections 5101 and 5102”.