The summons provided for by section 16-1501 shall be served seven days, exclusive of Sundays, legal holidays, and the period of time for which the Mayor has declared a public health emergency pursuant to section 5a of the District of Columbia Public Emergency Act of 1980, effective October 17, 2002 (D.C. Law 14-194; D.C. Official Code § 7-2304.01),, before the day fixed for the trial of the action. If the defendant has left the District of Columbia, or cannot be found, the summons may be served by delivering a copy thereof to the tenant, or by leaving a copy with some person above the age of sixteen years residing on or in possession of the premises sought to be recovered, and if no one is in actual possession of the premises, or residing thereon, by posting a copy of the summons on the premises where it may be conveniently read. If the summons is posted on the premises, a copy of the summons shall be mailed first class U.S. mail, postage prepaid, to the premises sought to be recovered, in the name of the person known to be in possession of the premises, or if unknown, in the name of the person occupying the premises, within 3 calendar days of the date of posting.
(Dec. 23, 1963, 77 Stat. 581, Pub. L. 88-241, § 1; June 29, 1984, D.C. Law 5-90, § 2(b), 31 DCR 2537; Mar. 17, 2020, D.C. Act 23-247, § 308(a), 0 DCR 0.)
1981 Ed., § 16-1502.
1973 Ed., § 16-1502.
This section is referenced in § 16-5103.