Subchapter I-A. General Provisions.
§ 47–2851.01. Definitions.
For the purposes of this subchapter, the term:
(1) “Basic business license” means the single document designed for public display issued by the business license center that certifies District agency license approval and that incorporates the endorsements for individual licenses included in the basic business license system that the District requires for any person subject to this subchapter. The term “basic business license” shall include a master business license issued prior to the effective date of the Streamlining Regulation Emergency Act of 2003, passed on an emergency basis on July 8, 2003 (Enrolled version of Bill 15-317) [August 11, 2003].
(1A) “Basic business license application” means a document incorporating pertinent data from existing applications for licenses covered under this subchapter.
(1B)(A) “Business” means any trade, profession, or activity which provides, or holds itself out to provide, goods or services to the general public or to any portion of the general public, for hire or compensation in the District of Columbia[.]
(B) “Business” shall not include the following:
(i) The activities of any political subdivision, or of any authority created and organized under and pursuant to law of the District;
(ii) The activities of any compact entered into by the District with any state or political subdivision of a state; or
(iii) Any employment for wages or salary.
(2) “Business License Center” means the business registration and licensing center established by this subchapter and located in and under the administrative control of the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection.
(3) “Department” means the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection.
(4) “Director” means the Director of the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection.
(5) “License” means the whole or part of any agency permit, license, certificate, approval, registration, charter, or any form or permission required by law, including agency rule, to engage in any activity.
(5A) “License information packet” means a collection of information about licensing requirements and application procedures custom-assembled for each request.
(6) Repealed.
(7) Repealed.
(8) “Person” means any individual, sole proprietorship, partnership, association, cooperative, corporation, nonprofit organization, and any other organization required to obtain one or more licenses from the District or any of its agencies.
(9) “Regulation” means any licensing or other governmental or statutory requirements pertaining to business or professional activities.
(10) “Regulatory agency” means any District agency, board, commission, or division which regulates one or more professions, occupations, industries, businesses, or activities.
(11) “Renewal application” means a document used to collect pertinent data for renewal of licenses covered under this subchapter.
(12) “System” means the mechanism by which basic business licenses are issued and renewed, license and regulatory information is disseminated, and account data is exchanged by the agencies.
§ 47–2851.01a. Scope of subchapter. [Applicable October 1, 2025]
Applicable October 1, 2025.
§ 47–2851.01b. Powers and duties of the Department. [Applicable October 1, 2025]
Applicable October 1, 2025.
§ 47–2851.02. License required.
(a) A person which is required under law to obtain a license issued in the form of an endorsement to engage in a business in the District of Columbia shall not engage in such business in the District of Columbia without having first obtained a basic business license and any necessary endorsements in accordance with this subchapter.
(b) A license shall be required for each business location.
(c) A person issued a license under this subchapter shall not willfully allow any other person required to obtain a separate license to operate under his or her license.
(d) Licenses granted under this subchapter may be assigned or transferred upon approval by the Department and payment of the applicable fee.
§ 47–2851.02a. License exemption for de minimis business activity.
(a) Business activity shall be exempt from the licensing requirement set forth in § 47-2851.02; provided, that the business activity has a gross annual revenue of $2,000 or less and does not occur more than 30 days in a calendar year.
(b)(1) Upon request by the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection, a person applying for the exemption provided by this section ("applicant") shall submit a letter self-certifying that the gross annual revenue of the business activity for which the exemption is sought does not exceed $2,000 and does not occur more than 30 days in a calendar year ("self-certification letter").
(2) An applicant who knowingly makes a false statement in a self-certification letter shall be guilty of a Class 1 civil infraction and subject to fines pursuant to section 16-3201 of the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations.
(c)(1) If, after the submission of a self-certification letter, the revenue of the business activity described in the self-certification letter exceeds $2,000 or the business activity occurs more than 30 days in a calendar year, the applicant shall inform the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection within 30 days of the increase in revenue or days of business activity from that stated in the self-certification letter.
(2) An applicant who fails to inform the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection as required by this subsection shall be guilty of a Class 1 civil infraction and subject to fines pursuant to section 16-3201 of the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations.
(d) Nothing in this section shall be construed to supersede the zoning regulations.
§ 47–2851.03. Endorsement categories; exemptions.
(a) Endorsements to a basic business license shall be issued in the following license endorsement categories:
(1) Repealed.
(2) Educational Services;
(3) Entertainment;
(4) Environmental Materials;
(5) Financial Services;
(6)(A) Housing: Transient;
(B) Housing: Residential;
(C) Short-Term Rental; and
(D) Short-Term Rental: Vacation Rental[;]
(7) Inspected Sales and Services;
(8) Manufacturing;
(9) Motor Vehicle Sales, Service, and Repair;
(10)(A) Public Health: Health Care Facility;
(B) Public Health: Human Services Facility;
(C) Public Health: Child Health and Welfare;
(D) Public Health: Public Accommodations;
(E) Public Health: Pharmacy and Pharmacology;
(F) Public Health: Funeral Establishment;
(G) Public Health: Radioactive Materials;
(H) Public Health: Biohazard;
(I) Public Health: Food Establishment Wholesale; and
(J) Public Health: Food Establishment Retail;
(11) Public Safety;
(11A) Stun Gun;
(12) Employment Services;
(13) General Sales;
(14) General Services and Repair; and
(15) General Business.
(b) All Class A or Class B license endorsements to master business licenses issued by the Department prior to the effective date of the Streamlining Regulation Emergency Act of 2003, passed on an emergency basis on July 8, 2003 (Enrolled version of Bill 15-317) [August 11, 2003], are hereby redesignated as license endorsements, without designation of class, to a basic business license. Nothing in the foregoing shall be read as eliminating the criteria, established either by rule or statute, that govern the awarding of any license endorsement affected by this section.
(c) The Department shall maintain and periodically update a roster of all businesses which have been issued a basic business license, indicating the license endorsements appended to each basic business license.
(d) The following licenses shall not be a part of the basic business license system and shall be regulated by the Department of Health:
(1) Dog-Spayed; and
(2) Dog-Unspayed.
(e) A vendor who sells more than 5 stun guns in a 12-month period shall obtain a stun gun endorsement under subsection (a)(11A) of this section on its basic business license from the Department on a form provided by the Department. No additional information shall be required for the issuance of a stun gun endorsement.
§ 47–2851.03a. Existing licenses eliminated.
(a) Repealed.
(b)(1) The following licenses are eliminated as separate license categories:
(A) Educational and Cultural Institutions;
(B) Institutions of Learning;
(C) Medical and Dental Colleges;
(D) Post-Secondary Institutions; and
(E) Veterans Training.
(2) Businesses meeting the criteria established by law or regulation for the establishments listed in paragraph (1) of this subsection shall receive an Educational Services license endorsement.
(c)(1) The following licenses are eliminated as separate license categories:
(A) Athletic Exhibition;
(B) Billiard Parlor;
(C) Bowling Alley;
(D) Carnival (including street festivals);
(E) Circus;
(F) Mechanical Amusement;
(G) Moving Picture Theater;
(H) Public Hall;
(I) Business Street Photographer;
(J) Skating Rinks;
(K) Special Events; and
(L) Theater (live).
(2) Businesses meeting the criteria established by law or regulation for the establishments listed in paragraph (1) of this subsection shall receive an Entertainment license endorsement.
(d)(1) The following licenses are eliminated as separate license categories, except that where special endorsements or permits are required for hazardous waste treatment or asbestos waste abatement, these special endorsements or permits shall be obtained separately:
(A) Asbestos Abatement Business;
(B) Bulk Fuel Metering;
(C) Bulk Fuel Storage Plant;
(D) Bulk Fuel Above Ground Tank;
(E) Dry Cleaner;
(F) Explosives;
(G) Fireworks Sales;
(H) Gasoline Dealer;
(I) Hazardous Waste Management;
(J) Kerosene;
(K) Pesticide Applicator;
(L) Pesticide Operator;
(M) Pyroxylin;
(N) Restricted Use Pesticide Dealer;
(O) Solid Waste Collectors;
(P) Solid Waste Handling Facilities;
(Q) Solid Waste Vehicles;
(R) Solvent Sales; and
(S) Varsol Sales.
(2) Businesses meeting the criteria established by law or regulation for the establishments listed in paragraph (1) of this subsection shall receive an Environmental Materials license endorsement.
(e)(1) The following licenses are eliminated as separate license categories:
(A) Check Sellers;
(B) Consumer Credit Service Organization;
(C) Fraternal Benefit Associations;
(D) Insurance Companies;
(E) Insurance Premium Finance Companies;
(F) Insurance Rating Organizations;
(G) Life and Fire Insurance Companies;
(H) Marine Insurance;
(I) Money Lender;
(J) Mortgage Lenders and Brokers;
(K) Reinsurance Intermediary;
(L) Risk Retention Group; and
(M) Sales/Finance Company.
(2) Businesses meeting the criteria established by law or regulation for the establishments listed in paragraph (1) of this subsection shall receive a Financial Services license endorsement.
(f)(1)(A) The following licenses are eliminated as separate license categories:
(i) Candy Manufacturing;
(ii) Commercial Merchant Food;
(iii) Ice Cream Manufacturing; and
(iv) Marine Product.
(B) Businesses meeting the criteria established by law or regulation for the establishments listed in subparagraph (A) of this paragraph shall receive a Public Health: Food Establishment Retail license endorsement.
(2)(A) The following licenses are eliminated as separate license categories:
(i) Bakery;
(ii) Caterers;
(iii) Delicatessen;
(iv) Food Product;
(v) Food Vending Machines;
(vi) Grocery;
(vii) Restaurant; and
(viii) Vendor (A).
(B) Businesses meeting the criteria established by law or regulation for the establishments listed in subparagraph (A) of this paragraph shall receive a Public Health: Food Establishment Retail license endorsement.
(g)(1)(A) The following licenses are eliminated as separate license categories:
(i) Boarding House;
(ii) Hotel;
(iii) Inn and Motel; and
(iv) Rooming House.
(B) Businesses meeting the criteria established by law or regulation for the establishments listed in subparagraph (A) of this paragraph shall receive a Housing: Transient license endorsement.
(2)(A) The following licenses are eliminated as separate license categories:
(i) Apartment House; and
(ii) Cooperative Association.
(B) Businesses meeting the criteria established by law or regulation for the establishments listed in subparagraph (A) of this paragraph shall receive a Housing: Residential License endorsement.
(h)(1) The following licenses are eliminated as separate license categories:
(A) Ambulance;
(B) Auctioneer;
(C) Auctioning;
(D) Elevators;
(E) Hearing-aid dealer;
(F) Horse Drawn Carriage Trade;
(G) Pawnbrokers;
(H) Pet shops;
(I) Secondhand Dealers (A);
(J) Secondhand Dealers (C);
(K) Security Alarm Dealers; and
(L) Taxicab.
(2) Businesses meeting the criteria established by law or regulation for the establishments listed in paragraph (1) of this subsection shall receive an Inspected Sales and Services license endorsement.
(i)(1) Mattress manufacturing license is eliminated as a separate license category.
(2) Businesses meeting the criteria established by law or regulation for the establishment listed in paragraph (1) of this subsection shall receive a Manufacturing license endorsement.
(j)(1) The following licenses are eliminated as separate license categories:
(A) Auto Repossessor;
(B) Auto Rental;
(C) Auto Wash;
(D) Consumer Goods (Auto Repair);
(E) Driving School;
(F) Motor Vehicle Dealer;
(G) Motor Vehicle Sales; and
(H) Tow Truck.
(2) Businesses meeting the criteria established by law or regulation for the establishments listed in paragraph (1) of this subsection shall receive a Motor Vehicle Sales, Service, and Repair license endorsement.
(k)(1)(A) The following licenses are eliminated as separate license categories:
(i) Ambulatory Surgical Treatment Center;
(ii) Health Provider Plans;
(iii) Home Health Agency;
(iv) Hospital-Medical/surgical;
(v) Hospital-ICU/Coronary;
(vi) Hospital-OB/GYN;
(vii) Hospital-Nursery;
(viii) Hospital-Intermediate Neonatal and Neonatal Intensive Care;
(ix) Hospital-Pediatrics;
(x) Hospital-Alcoholism/Chemical Dependency;
(xi) Hospital-Rehabilitation;
(xii) Hospital-Psychiatric;
(xiii) Maternity Center;
(xiv) Non-hospital Outpatient Facility;
(xv) Nursing Home;
(xvi) Renal Dialysis Center; and
(xvii) Substance Abuse Treatment Center.
(B) Businesses meeting the criteria established by law or regulation for the establishments listed in subparagraph (A) of this paragraph shall receive a Public Health: Health Care Facility license endorsement. For any Hospital-Psychiatric, both this endorsement and the master business license shall be issued by the Department of Mental Health.
(2)(A) The following licenses are eliminated as separate license categories:
(i) Community Residence Facility; and
(ii) Group Homes for Mentally Retarded People.
(B) Businesses meeting the criteria established by law or regulation for the establishments listed in subparagraph (A) of this paragraph shall receive a Public Health: Human Services Facility license endorsement.
(3)(A) The following licenses are eliminated as separate license categories:
(i) Child Development Centers;
(ii) Child Development Homes;
(iii) Child-Placing Agencies; and
(iv) Youth Residential Facilities.
(B) Businesses meeting the criteria established by law or regulation for the establishments listed in subparagraph (A) of this paragraph shall receive a Public Health: Child health and Welfare license endorsement. For Youth Residential Facilities that are Foster Homes or Group Homes, and for Child-Placing Agencies, both this endorsement and the master business license shall be issued by the Child and Family Services Agency.
(4)(A) The following licenses are eliminated as separate license categories:
(i) Barber Shop;
(ii) Beauty Shop;
(iii) Health Spa;
(iv) Massage Establishment; and
(v) Swimming Pool.
(B) Businesses meeting the criteria established by law or regulation for the establishments listed in subparagraph (A) of this paragraph shall receive a Public Health: Public Accommodations license endorsement.
(5)(A) The following licenses are eliminated as separate license categories:
(i) Drug Distributor;
(ii) Drug Manufacturer;
(iii) Patent Medicine; and
(iv) Pharmacy.
(B) Businesses meeting the criteria established by law or regulation for the establishments listed in subparagraph (A) of this paragraph shall receive a Public Health: Pharmacy and Pharmaceuticals license endorsement.
(6)(A) The funeral services establishment license is eliminated as a separate license category.
(B) Businesses meeting the criteria established by law or regulation for the establishment listed in subparagraph (A) of this paragraph shall receive a Public Health: Funeral Establishments license endorsement.
(7)(A) The following licenses are eliminated as separate license categories:
(i) Installer of Radioactive Equipment;
(ii) Low Level Radioactive Waste Generator;
(iii) Repairer of Radioactive Equipment; and
(iv) Supplier of Radioactive Equipment.
(B) Businesses meeting the criteria established by law or regulation for the establishments listed in subparagraph (A) of this paragraph shall receive a Public Health: Radioactive Equipment license endorsement.
(8)(A) The following licenses are eliminated as separate license categories:
(i) Clinical Laboratory; and
(ii) Physician Office Laboratory.
(B) Businesses meeting the criteria established by law or regulation for the establishments listed in subparagraph (A) of this paragraph shall receive a Public Health: Laboratory license endorsement.
(l)(1) The following licenses are eliminated as separate license categories:
(A) Dealers in Dangerous Weapons;
(B) Firearms Dealer;
(C) Private Detective Agencies; and
(D) Retail Weapons Dealer.
(2) Businesses meeting the criteria established by law or regulation for the establishments listed in paragraph (1) of this subsection shall receive a Public Safety license endorsement.
(m)(1) The following licenses are eliminated as separate license categories:
(A) Employment Agency;
(B) Employer Paid Personnel Service; and
(C) Employment Counseling.
(2) Businesses meeting the criteria established by law or regulation for the following establishments shall receive an Employment Services license endorsement.
(n)(1) The following licenses are eliminated as separate license categories:
(A) Barber Chair;
(B) Beauty Booth;
(C) Bingo Suppliers;
(D) Cigarette Sales Retail;
(E) Cigarette Sales Wholesale;
(F) Mattress Sales;
(G) Second Hand Dealers (B);
(H) Solicitor;
(I) Vendor (B); and
(J) Vendor (D).
(2) Businesses meeting the criteria established by law or regulation for the establishments listed in paragraph (1) of this subsection shall receive a General Sales license endorsement.
(o)(1) The following licenses are eliminated as separate license categories:
(A) Consumer Goods (Electronic Repair);
(B) Dry Cleaner;
(C) Home Improvement;
(D) Moving of Household Goods;
(E) Outdoor Signs;
(F) Parking Establishment;
(G) Power Laundry;
(H) Tour Guide (A); and
(I) Tour Guide (B).
(2) Businesses meeting the criteria established by law or regulation for the establishments listed in paragraph (1) of this subsection shall receive a General Services and Repair license endorsement.
(p)(1) The following licenses are eliminated as separate license categories:
(A) Charitable Solicitation; and
(B) Cooperative Associations (Non-residential).
(2) Businesses meeting the criteria established by law or regulation for these establishments shall receive a General Business license endorsement.
(q) The following licenses are hereby eliminated:
(1) Bottling Establishment;
(2) Close Out Sale;
(3) Coal Dealer;
(4) Elevator Operator;
(5) Job Listing;
(6) Food Handlers;
(7) Cigarette Vending Machine;
(8) Laundry (Hand/Ironing);
(9) Livery;
(10) Medium;
(11) Moving Pictures, Film Storage;
(12) Public Scale;
(13) Shooting Gallery;
(14) Slot Weight Machine;
(15) Street Photographer;
(16) Rental Housing Locator;
(17) Abattoirs or Slaughterhouse; and
(18) Money Lender (B).
§ 47–2851.03b. Unique identifying number.
To the extent feasible, and dependent on the available technology needed for implementation, each business licensed pursuant to this subchapter shall have a unique identifying number that shall be used for all official purposes, including taxation.
§ 47–2851.03c. Agencies’ power to inspect and revoke licensure.
Nothing in this subchapter shall be construed as limiting or reassigning any District agency’s power to inspect for compliance or to revoke licensure. Agencies of the District government responsible for the issuance of license endorsements shall revoke, deny, or suspend any license endorsements and issue fines as required by statute or regulation.
§ 47–2851.03d. General Business License and General Contractor/Construction Manager License.
(a) A General Business License shall be required for all businesses engaging in any business transaction in the District that have a business tax identification number and who are not otherwise required to obtain an endorsement under a license endorsement category under this chapter. If a business entity is comprised of principals who are required to maintain licenses granted or regulated by a local, state, or national certification board or body, the entity and its licensed principals shall not be required to obtain a General Business License. A biennial fee of $200 shall be charged for the General Business License.
(b) A General Contractor/Construction Manager License shall be required for individuals or businesses engaged in general contracting or construction management. A biennial fee of $500 shall be charged for the license. The Mayor may establish, by rule, bond requirements for general contractors and construction managers as a condition for issuance of the General Contractor/Construction Manager License.
(c) The Mayor may adjust, by rule, the license fees established in subsections (a) and (b) of this section.
(d) A license issued pursuant to this section shall be issued as a General Business endorsement to a basic business license.
§ 47–2851.04. License application and fees.
(a) Any person requiring a license in accordance with this subchapter shall file an application for a basic business license with the business license center, as provided in this section, and shall pay the required fee or fees. As part of his or her application, he or she shall provide a valid electronic mail address which may be used for the electronic service of process of notices related to the license.
(b) Printed license application forms shall be made available by the business license center as well as electronic forms, which may be downloaded by computer.
(c)(1)(A) Except for such fees as are established by this subchapter, the Director shall by regulation establish fees for the issuance, reissuance, and transfer or reinstatement of all business licenses and endorsements, provided, however, that any fee required by any law or regulation in force as of the effective date of this subchapter shall remain in effect until changed in accordance with this section.
(B) The Director, pursuant to subchapter I of Chapter 5 of Title 2, may revise such fees as are established by this subchapter. The proposed rules issued pursuant to this subparagraph shall be submitted to the Council for a 30-day period of review, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, legal holidays, and days of Council recess. If the Council does not approve or disapprove the proposed rules, in whole or in part, by resolution within this 30-day review period, the proposed rules shall be deemed approved.
(2) The fees established pursuant to paragraph (1) of this subsection may vary according to the class of license and the particular kind of business being licensed and shall be reasonably related to the cost to the District of investigating, inspecting, and issuing the licenses.
(d)(1) All fees collected pursuant to this section shall be deposited in a special account and used only to defray the costs of licensing and license enforcement, including salaries, staff training, equipment, records, and computers.
(2) The Department shall not spend more for issuing and enforcing the provisions of this subchapter than has been collected through license fees, except that surplus funds or deficits occurring in any fiscal year may be carried forward for not more than 3 fiscal years.
§ 47–2851.05. Business license center.
(a) There is created the Business License Center (“Center”) within the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection.
(b) The duties of the Center shall include the following:
(1) Developing and administering a computerized “one-stop” basic business license system capable of storing, retrieving, and exchanging license information with due regard to privacy statutes, as well as issuing and renewing basic business licenses in an efficient manner;
(2) Creating a license information service that shall provide to any member of the public, upon request, printed or electronic information detailing requirements to establish or engage in business in the District, including a list of all information, approvals, documents, and payments required for each and every license issued by the District government;
(3) Providing for staggered basic business license renewal, as set forth in § 47-2851.09;
(4) Identifying types of licenses appropriate for inclusion in the basic business license system;
(5) Recommending, in reports to the Mayor and the Council, the elimination, consolidation, or other modification of duplicative, ineffective, or inefficient licensing or inspection requirements;
(6) Incorporating licenses into the basic business license system;
(7) Providing a license information service to prepare and distribute license information packets that detail requirements for establishing or engaging in business in the District of Columbia; and
(8) Maintaining a registry of fictitious names or trade names as defined in § 47-2852.02, indicating the party or parties doing business under those names.
(c) The Director shall establish the position of Deputy Director of the Department who shall be responsible for the operation of the Center.
(d) The Director shall promulgate such regulations as may be necessary to effectuate the purposes of this subchapter.
§ 47–2851.06. Public information.
(a)(1) The Center shall compile information regarding the regulatory programs associated with each of the licenses obtainable under the basic business license system.
(2) This information shall include a listing of all laws and administrative rules that require the issuance of licenses.
(b)(1) The Center shall provide the information required by this section to any person requesting it.
(2) Materials used by the Center to describe the services provided by the Center shall indicate that this information is available upon request.
(c) Notwithstanding any other provision of District law, information submitted to the Center under this subchapter shall not be made available to the public; provided, that a person may be furnished with such information for one registrant based upon the submission of either the name or address of the registrant; provided further, that the person shall be limited to one request per day.
(d) Federal Employer Identification numbers and social security numbers shall not be released to the public, except if:
(1) Requested by a law enforcement agency; or
(2) Directed by a court order.
§ 47–2851.07. Issuance of licenses.
(a) Any person who is required to obtain a license that has been incorporated into the system shall submit a basic business license application, along with proof of Workers’ Compensation insurance coverage, or an exemption therefrom, to the Center requesting the issuance of the license. The basic business license application form shall contain, in consolidated form, all information necessary for the issuance of licenses.
(b) The applicant shall include with the application the sum of all fees and deposits required for the basic business license and any necessary or requested individual license endorsements.
(c)(1) Irrespective of any authority delegated to the Center to implement the provisions of this subchapter, the authority for determining eligibility and fitness for the issuance and renewal of any requested license that requires a pre-licensing or renewal investigation, inspection, testing, or other judgmental review by the regulatory agency legally authorized to make such determination shall remain with that agency.
(2) Repealed.
(d)(1) Upon receipt of the application and proper fee payment for any license for which issuance is subject to regulatory agency action under subsection (c) of this section, the Center shall immediately notify the relevant regulatory agency of the license requested by the applicant.
(2) Each regulatory agency shall advise the Center within 30 days after receiving the notice, or such other period as is established by law the following:
(A) That the agency approves the issuance of the requested license and will advise the applicant of any specific conditions required for issuing the license;
(B) That the agency denies the issuance of the license and gives the applicant reasons for the denial; or
(C) That no action has been taken on the application and the Department shall provide good and sufficient reasons for the delay and an estimate of when the action will be taken.
(e)(1) The Center shall issue a basic business license endorsed for all the approved licenses to the applicant and advise the applicant of the status of other requested licenses.
(2) It is the responsibility of the applicant to contest the decision regarding conditions imposed or licenses denied through the normal process established by statute or by regulation.
(f) Regulatory agencies shall be provided information from the basic business license application for their licensing and regulatory functions.
§ 47–2851.08. Basic business license application fees; renewal fees.
(a)(1) Except as provided in paragraph (1A) of this subsection, the Center shall collect the following fees for the issuance and endorsement of an initial license:
(A) $70 for each initial 2-year basic business license it issues, plus $25 for each endorsement added to an initial 2-year basic business license;
(B) $140 for each initial 4-year basic business license it issues, plus $25 for each endorsement added to an initial 4-year basic business license; and
(C) $35 for each initial 6-month basic business license it issues, plus $12.50 for each endorsement added to an initial 6-month basic business license.
(1A) No issuance or endorsement fee shall be charged by the Center for an initial General Business license and endorsement under 17 DCMR § 516.1(c) or an initial Employment Services license and endorsement under 17 DCMR § 513.1(a), (b), and (c).
(2) The entire basic business license application fee shall be deposited in the Basic Business License Fund established by § 47-2851.13.
(b)(1) Except as provided in paragraph (1A) of this subsection, the Center shall collect the following fees for the issuance and endorsement of a renewal license:
(A) $70 for each 2-year basic business renewal license it issues, plus $25 for each endorsement added to a 2-year basic business renewal license;
(B) $140 for each 4-year basic business renewal license it issues, plus $25 for each endorsement added to a 4-year basic business renewal license; and
(C) $35 for each 6-month basic business renewal license it issues, plus $12.50 for each endorsement added to a 6-month basic business renewal license.
(1A) No issuance or endorsement fee shall be charged by the Center for a General Business renewal license and endorsement under 17 DCMR § 516.1(c) or an Employment Services renewal license and endorsement under 17 DCMR § 513.1(a), (b), and (c).
(2) The entire application renewal fee shall be deposited in the Basic Business License Fund established by § 47-2851.13.
(c) The fees assessed pursuant to this section shall be in addition to any fees required by law or by statute for the issuance of license endorsements.
(d) Nothing in this section shall be read as reassigning license endorsement fees to the General Fund of the District of Columbia where the Mayor has determined or where the law requires that those fees should go to a dedicated fund to benefit a particular agency or department of the District government.
§ 47–2851.09. License expiration date.
(a)(1) The Center shall assign an expiration date for each basic business license. All renewable licenses endorsed on that basic business license shall expire on that date.
(2) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, every license issued in accordance with this subchapter shall be valid for either 2 or 4 years from the date of issue, depending on which license term the applicant selects, unless earlier revoked or voluntarily relinquished, and licenses shall be issued on a staggered basis, using as the renewal date the date of incorporation if the business is incorporated, the date of organization if the business is unincorporated, or the birth date of the principal if the business is a sole proprietorship. Except as otherwise provided in § 47-2851.08, the fee charged for a 4-year license renewal shall be twice that of a 2-year license renewal.
(2A) In addition to the 2-year and 4-year licenses authorized by paragraph (2) of this subsection, the Center also may issue licenses that are valid for 6 months from the date of issue, unless earlier revoked or voluntarily relinquished.
(3) Valid licenses that for any reason expire on a date other than a date determined in accordance with paragraph (2) of this subsection shall be extended automatically until the next anniversary of the date determined in accordance with paragraph (2) of this subsection.
(b) All renewable licenses endorsed on a basic business license shall be renewed by the Center under conditions originally imposed unless a regulatory agency advises the Center of conditions or denials to be imposed before the endorsement is renewed.
§ 47–2851.10. Lapsed and reinstated licenses.
(a) The Department may, by electronic mail or other methods of communication, send notice of impending license expiration, an application for renewal, and a statement of the applicable renewal fee to each licensee within 60 days prior to the expiration date at the mailing address or electronic mail address shown on the Department’s records for the licensee. It shall be the responsibility of the licensee to update the address information maintained by the Department.
(b)(1) A license that has not been revoked, suspended, or voluntarily relinquished and that has not been renewed by its expiration date shall be deemed to be lapsed. A licensee may apply for renewal of the license at any time within 30 days after the lapsing of the license and the license shall be reinstated upon the payment of a penalty of $250, plus all other applicable fees or penalties provided by law.
(2) A license that is lapsed for more than 30 days shall be deemed to be expired. A licensee whose license is lapsed for more than 30 days, but less than 6 months, after the lapsing of the license may apply for renewal of the license and the license shall be reinstated upon the payment of a penalty of $500, plus all other applicable fees and penalties provided by law.
(c)(1) Repealed.
(2) A licensee whose license has been expired for at least 6 months shall be treated as a new applicant and not as an applicant for renewal, unless otherwise provided by applicable law. If the new applicant conducted business during the 6 months after the expiration date of the license without complying with the renewal procedures pursuant to this section, the applicant shall be deemed to have conducted business without a license and shall be liable for any and all fees and fines applicable to conducting business without a license. A new application for a license shall not be processed until all applicable fines and fees have been paid.
(d) Any person who has obtained a license or renewed a license under false pretenses, including paying fees with a bad check, stating falsely that corporate status is current, or stating falsely that all taxes owed the District have been paid, shall be notified immediately of the problem and given 30 days from the date of notice to provide proof of having cured the problem. If the problem has not been corrected 30 days from the date of notification, the license shall be revoked and may only be reinstated upon proof of correction and payment of a $500 fine in addition to any other fees and fines required by this subchapter and all other relevant District laws and regulations.
§ 47–2851.11. Denial of master [basic]
(a) The Center shall not issue or renew a basic business license to any person or business entity if:
(1) The person or business does not have a valid tax registration or Certificate of Occupancy, if required;
(2) The person or business is delinquent in taxes, periodic report fees, or penalties owing to the District, is delinquent in service fees owed to the Water and Sewer Authority, or is not validly registered in accordance with District law. The Office of Tax and Revenue and the Water and Sewer Authority shall cooperate with the business license center to determine if taxes, fees, penalties or service fees are owing.
(3) The person or business has been denied any of the necessary endorsements for the type of business for which licensing is sought; or
(4) The person or business has not submitted the sum of all fees and deposits required for the requested individual license endorsements, any outstanding basic business license delinquency fee, or other fees and penalties to be collected through the system.
(b) Nothing in this section shall prevent registration by the District of an employer for the purpose of paying an employee workers’ compensation insurance or unemployment insurance benefits.
§ 47–2851.12. Additional licenses.
In addition to the licenses processed under the basic business license system that were required prior to the effective date of this subchapter, use of the basic business license system shall be expanded as needed for the processing of additional licenses as provided by District law.
§ 47–2851.13. Establishment of Basic Business License Fund; disposition of license fees, penalties, and fines.
(a) There is established the Basic Business License Fund (“Fund”) which shall be classified as a proprietary fund and a type of enterprise fund for the purposes of § 47-373(1). The Fund shall be credited with all fees that are identified in subsection (b) of this section.
(b) All fees collected for the issuance of a basic business license and endorsements, including renewals, late renewal penalties, other penalties, and fines, shall be deposited in the Fund. Half of the total amount of penalties and fines collected as a result of notices of infractions issued for basic business license violations shall also be deposited in the Fund. The entire cost of the basic business licensing system shall be paid from the Fund and no other appropriated funds shall be used for that purpose.
(c) Revenue credited to the Fund shall be expended by the Department as designated by an appropriations act of Congress, for the purposes of maintaining and upgrading the basic business licensing system, including copying fees, automation upgrades, personnel costs, and supplies.
(d)(1) A portion of the increased fees under § 47-2851.03d shall be used to reform and streamline the application and renewal process for licensing under this chapter.
(2) Within 6 months of [August 16, 2008], the Department shall report to the Chairperson of the Council committee with oversight of the Department on the specific steps taken to implement these new processes.
§ 47–2851.14. Certain professional licenses exempt. [Repealed]
Repealed.
§ 47–2851.15. Existing licenses or permits.
(a) A license or permit issued by the District which is valid on the effective date of this subchapter need not be registered under the basic business license system until the renewal or expiration date of that license or permit under the law in effect prior to the effective date of this subchapter, unless it has been otherwise revoked or suspended.
(b) Upon the renewal date of the above-referenced license or permit, the applicant shall receive a renewal date in accordance with § 47-2851.09.
§ 47–2851.16. Third party inspections for license endorsements.
(a) The Director shall determine the feasibility of allowing certain businesses the option of obtaining inspections at the applicant’s expense by authorized third party inspectors.
(b) The Director shall, whenever feasible, allow businesses required to be inspected pursuant to this subchapter the option of obtaining a third party inspector qualified for such activities by virtue of a certification from a nationally recognized and accredited organization; provided that the third party inspector:
(1) Is hired at the applicant’s own expense;
(2) Has obtained a valid District of Columbia license in the relevant area of expertise for which inspection authorization is sought; and
(3) Submits a sworn statement that no conflict of interest will arise with regard to the inspection of the applicant’s business.
(c) After conducting an appropriate review, the Director may from time to time authorize, or revoke the authorization of, organizations and individuals to conduct inspections for purposes of obtaining a basic business license or its endorsements under this chapter.
(d) The Center shall make known to any applicant or re-applicant for a basic business license the option of choosing inspection by the District or inspection at the applicant’s expense by an approved organization or individual and shall provide, upon request, the names of approved inspectors relevant to the particular basic business license application.
(e) The Department shall accept the findings of the third party inspector, and shall consider third party inspections permitted under this section as proper inspections for the purpose of issuance of a master [basic] business license or endorsement issued pursuant to this chapter.
(f) Persons who avail themselves of the third party inspection option are not entitled to a refund of any portion of the license fee.
§ 47–2851.17. Performance audit. [Repealed]
[Repealed].
§ 47–2851.18. Participation of District agencies.
All departments and agencies of the District of Columbia government are hereby directed to provide full participation and cooperation in the implementation of this subchapter.
§ 47–2851.19. Amnesty period.
Notwithstanding any provision of this subchapter, any business which was not required under law to obtain a license issued in the form of an endorsement to engage in a business in the District of Columbia and which did not obtain a basic business license prior to July 1, 2003, shall not be subject to any penalty or fine for failure to obtain a basic business license.
§ 47–2851.20. Authorization of Director to promulgate regulations.
The Director shall have the authority to implement the basic business license system outlined in this subchapter by appropriate regulation.
§ 47–2851.21. Bonding of licensees authorized to collect monies; exemptions. [Applicable October 1, 2025]
Applicable October 1, 2025.
§ 47–2851.22. Cease and desist orders. [Applicable October 1, 2025]
Applicable October 1, 2025.
§ 47–2851.23. Prosecutions. [Applicable October 1, 2025]
Applicable October 1, 2025.
§ 47–2851.24. Penalties. [Applicable October 1, 2025]
Applicable October 1, 2025.