City Council 
Code of Official Conduct
September 2009

Home

Bibliography

Calendar

Columns
Dorothy Brizill
Bonnie Cain
Jim Dougherty
Gary Imhoff
Phil Mendelson
Mark David Richards
Sandra Seegars

DCPSWatch

DCWatch Archives
Council Period 12
Council Period 13
Council Period 14
Election 1998
Election 2000
Election 2002

Elections
Election 2004
Election 2006

Government and People
ANC's
Anacostia Waterfront Corporation
Auditor
Boards and Com
BusRegRefCom
Campaign Finance
Chief Financial Officer
Chief Management Officer
City Council
Congress
Control Board
Corporation Counsel
Courts
DC2000
DC Agenda
Elections and Ethics
Fire Department
FOI Officers
Inspector General
Health
Housing and Community Dev.
Human Services
Legislation
Mayor's Office
Mental Health
Motor Vehicles
Neighborhood Action
National Capital Revitalization Corp.
Planning and Econ. Dev.
Planning, Office of
Police Department
Property Management
Public Advocate
Public Libraries
Public Schools
Public Service Commission
Public Works
Regional Mobility Panel
Sports and Entertainment Com.
Taxi Commission
Telephone Directory
University of DC
Water and Sewer Administration
Youth Rehabilitation Services
Zoning Commission

Issues in DC Politics

Budget issues
DC Flag
DC General, PBC
Gun issues
Health issues
Housing initiatives
Mayor’s mansion
Public Benefit Corporation
Regional Mobility
Reservation 13
Tax Rev Comm
Term limits repeal
Voting rights, statehood
Williams’s Fundraising Scandals

Links

Organizations
Appleseed Center
Cardozo Shaw Neigh.Assoc.
Committee of 100
Fed of Citizens Assocs
League of Women Voters
Parents United
Shaw Coalition

Photos

Search

What Is DCWatch?

themail archives

Members of the Council of the District of Columbia shall at all times maintain a high level of ethical conduct in connection with the performance of official duties, and shall refrain from taking, ordering, or participating in any official action which would adversely affect the confidence of the public in the integrity of the government of the District of Columbia.

The maintenance of unusually high standards of honesty, integrity, impartiality, and conduct by elected officials is essential to assure the proper performance of government business and the maintenance of confidence by citizens in their government. The avoidance of misconduct and conflicts of interest on the part of Councilmembers is indispensable to the maintenance of these standards.

Councilmembers shall avoid all actions which might result in, or create the appearance of, the following:

(a) Using public office for private gain;

(b) Giving preferential treatment to any person;

(c) Impeding government efficiency or economy;

(d) Losing complete independence or impartiality;

(e) Making a government decision outside official channels; or

(f) Affecting adversely the confidence of the public in the integrity of government.

Councilmembers shall not ask for or accept, either directly or through someone else, any gift, gratuity, favor, loan, entertainment, or anything of value from a person who has or is seeking a contract with the District of Columbia; is regulated by the District; or has any interest that may be affected by the Councilmember’s performance of official duties. (See section 1803 for full rule.)

A Councilmember shall report immediately to the Office of the Inspector General, or other appropriate authorities any information concerning conduct which he or she knows, or should know, involves corrupt or other criminal activity, or conflict of interest of another Councilmember or employee of the District of Columbia or person dealing with the District. (See section 1803.8-11)

Councilmembers shall not order, direct, or request subordinates employees to perform during regular working hours any personal services not related to official District government functions and activities. (See section 1804.1(c))

Councilmembers shall avoid conflicts of interest concerning the award, implementation, monitoring, and performance of contracts for services. (See section 1803.14(a))

(This Code contains excerpts from the D.C. Personnel Regulations; Chapter 18, Part 1; Councilmembers are governed by the entire Chapter as well as by other District and federal ethics laws.)