Code of the District of Columbia

Chapter 5. Annual Fees.

§ 25–501. Annual fees.

(a) License fees shall be paid annually. The fee for the first year shall be paid at the time of application and the renewal fee shall be paid on or before the anniversary date of issuance of the license.

(b) The applicant shall pay the initial license fee to the D.C. Treasurer. The applicant’s duplicate receipt shall accompany the application for license. If the application for the license is denied, the fee shall be returned. This subsection shall not apply to an application for a temporary license.

(c) A licensee’s failure to timely remit the annual fee shall be cause for the Board to suspend the license until the licensee pays the fee and any fines imposed by the Board for late payment. If a licensee is 90 days delinquent on payment of the renewal fee, the Board shall give notice to the licensee of its intent to revoke the license. The licensee shall have 14 days to respond to the notice. If the Board thereafter determines that the failure to pay the fees and fines is not for good cause, the Board shall revoke the license.

(d) The Board may establish license periods at intervals necessary to facilitate efficient processing of applications. If the Board changes a license period, the licensee or the holder of a wine pub permit, distillery pub permit, or brew pub permit shall pay the proportionate amount of the annual license fee. If the Board issues a license or wine pub permit, distillery pub permit, or brew pub permit for less than one year, the licensee shall pay a fee reduced by the proportionate amount of the fee.

(e) The fee for a temporary license shall be assessed according to the number of days for which the license is issued and shall be paid at the time of the application.

(f) The minimum fee for a stipulated license issued by the Board pursuant to section 200 of Title 23 of the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations (23 DCMR § 200) shall be $100.

§ 25–502. Mayor may propose alteration in license fees.

The Mayor may propose regulations, subject to approval in accordance with § 25-211(b), to alter the license fees established by this chapter or to create additional license categories.

§ 25–503. Minimum annual fees for manufacturer’s, wholesaler’s, and off-premises retailer’s licenses.

The minimum annual fees for a manufacturer’s, wholesaler’s, and off-premises retailer’s licenses shall be as set forth on the following:

License Class Cost/year
MANUFACTURERS
Manufacturer’s license, class A. (rectifying plant) $6,000
Manufacturer’s license, class A. (distillery) $6,000
Manufacturer’s license, class A. (winery) $1,500
Manufacturer’s license, class A. (distillery producing more than 50% nonbeverage alcohol) $3,000
Manufacturer’s license, class B. (brewery) $5,000
WHOLESALERS
Wholesaler’s license, class A. (beer, wine, and spirits) $4,000
Wholesaler’s license, class B. (beer and wine) $2,000
OFF-PREMISES RETAILERS
Retailer’s license (off-premises), class A. (beer, wine, and spirits) $2,000
Retailer’s license (off-premises), class B. (beer and wine) $1,000
Internet retailer’s license (off-premises), class AI. (beer, wine and spirirts) $2,600
Internet retailer’s license (off-premises), class BI. (beer and wine) $1,300

§ 25–504. Minimum annual fees for on-premises retail licenses, class C and D.

(a) The minimum annual fees for an on-premises retailer’s licenses, class C and D, shall be as set forth on the following schedule. Capacity shall be the posted level of occupancy approved under the Construction Codes, as defined under § 6-1401 and as set forth in Title 12 of the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations.

Type Capacity Class C (beer, wine, spirits) Class D (beer & wine)
Restaurant 99 or fewer. $500 $300
100 to 199. $1,000 $600
200 to 499. $1,500 $900
500 or more. $2,000 $1,200
Tavern 99 or fewer. $800 $500
100 to 199. $1,600 $1,000
200 or more. $2,400 $1,500
Nightclub 99 or fewer. $1,500 $1,000
100 to 199. $2,000 $1,250
200 to 499. $2,500 $1,500
500 to 999. $3,500 $2,000
1,000 or more. $4,500 $3,500
Hotel 99 or fewer guest rooms $2,000 $1,000
100 or more guest rooms $4,000 $2,000
Club $1,500 $500
Multipurpose facility $1,500 $500
Marine vessel Single vessel. $1,500 $750
Marine vessel line 3 or fewer vessels and dockside waiting areas $2,500 $1,000
Each additional vessel or dockside waiting area. $1,500 $500
Railroad dining or club car Single car. $500 $250
Railroad company All dining or club cars $1,500 $750
Caterer More than $1,000,000 per year gross annual receipts $5,000 -
Caterer $1,000,000 or less per year gross annual receipts $4,000 -
Caterer $500,000 or less per year gross annual receipts $3,000 -
Caterer $300,000 or less per year gross annual receipts $2,000 -
Caterer $200,000 or less per year gross annual receipts $1,000 -
Caterer $100,000 or less per year gross annual receipts $750 -
Caterer $50,000 or less per year gross annual receipts $500 -
Caterer $25,000 or less per year gross annual receipts $300 -

(b) The minimum annual fees for a bed and breakfast license shall be for a:

(1) Class C/B license $1,000; and

(2) Class D/B license $650.

(c) The minimum annual fee for a commercial lifestyle center license shall be:

(1) Class C/L$ 1,000; and

(2) Class D/L$ 750.

§ 25–505. Fees for Arena C/X by Mayor.

The annual license fee for the retailer’s licenses, class Arena C/X, for the DC Arena and the Soccer Stadium shall be established by the Mayor.

§ 25–506. Minimum fees for temporary licenses.

(a) The minimum fee for the issuance of a temporary license shall be the following:

Temporary license (class F) (beer and wine) $100/day
Temporary license (class G) (spirits, beer, and wine) $300/day

(b) Upon request, the Board has the authority to reduce the fee to $150 per day, for a temporary license, class G, or to $50 per day, for a temporary license, class F, for nonprofit organizations. This reduction shall only be available once each calendar year to any single organization.

(c) The Board may create regulations and fees, in accordance with §§ 25-211(b) and 25-502, to permit an on-premises retailer under a restaurant license to apply for a one-day substantial change to the size of their licensed premises to expand the establishment’s interior or exterior space in order to facilitate participation in community or street festivals. The Board shall not grant permission for this change more than twice in any calendar year for any establishment.

§ 25–507. Minimum annual fee for solicitor’s licenses.

The minimum annual fee for a solicitor’s license shall be $250.

§ 25–508. Minimum fee for permits, and manager’s license, and endorsement.

The minimum fees for permits, manager’s license, and endorsement shall be as follows:

Tasting permit for class A licensees $100/year
Importation permit $5
Manager’s license $100/year
On-site sales and consumption permit $1,000/year
Game of skill machine endorsement $200/year
Sports wagering $100/year.

§ 25–509. Minimum fee for transfer of a license to new owner.

The minimum fee for transfer of a license to a new owner shall be $150.

§ 25–510. Minimum fee for amendment to license.

The minimum fee for an amendment to a license which results in an inspection of the licensed premises shall be $25.

§ 25–511. Minimum fee for pool buying group retail importation permit.

The minimum annual license fee for a pool buying group agent importation permit shall be $1,000, in addition to any other license fees prescribed in this title.

§ 25–512. Minimum fee for pub crawl license.

The minimum annual fee for a pub crawl license shall be $500.

§ 25–513. Minimum fee for third-party alcohol delivery license.

The minimum annual fee for a third-party alcohol delivery license shall be $200.