Welcome to the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP) Business Licensing Division
What We Do
Business Licensing at DLCP issues the licenses that businesses need to operate legally in the District. This includes many categories of Basic Business Licenses (BBLs), Short-Term Rentals, Vending, and Special Events. Our goal is to make sure businesses can operate safely and lawfully while keeping the path to compliance as clear and efficient as possible.
“Business” means any trade, profession, or activity that provides—or offers 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.
Anyone engaging in business activity within the District is required to be licensed in accordance with the specific activity conducted (e.g., convenience stores, home improvement contractors, residential rentals, restaurants).
Each licensed business activity has its own set of requirements. You can find detailed information by selecting from the license categories below. However, all businesses must complete the four core steps outlined in the Steps to Obtain a Basic Business License before applying for a specific license."
4 Steps to Obtain a Basic Business License
How to Apply for a License
Apply for your business license online at BOSS.DC.GOV.
Note that all applications must be submitted online. You may visit the DLCP Business License Center, 1100 4th Street, SW, 2nd Floor, Washington, DC 20024, where you will be directed to one of our kiosks to apply for a Basic Business License via BOSS application.
Application requirements for each category are listed below. If you have more detailed questions about the requirements or categories, please contact us at (202) 671-4500.
Business Licensing Categories
Personal services related to hairstyling, nail care, and cosmetics, including haircuts, color treatments, manicures, pedicures, chemical exfoliation, waxing, makeup application, electrolysis hair removal, and other similar services.
- Barber Shop
- Beauty Booth
- Beauty Shop
- Beauty Shop (Braiding)
- Beauty Shop (Esthetics)
- Beauty Shop (Electrology)
- Beauty Shop (Nails)
Any service whose actual or purported purpose is benevolent, philanthropic, patriotic, educational (except religious education), scientific, environmental conservation, civic, or otherwise eleemosynary.
Services that involve the planning, acquiring, building, equipping, altering, repairing, improving, or demolishing of any structure or appurtenance.
An employee or independent salesperson who provides services for or who enters into contracts on behalf of an auction sales business, an auto repossession business, a home improvement contractor, a motor vehicle dealer, a parking facility, or a security alarm dealer.
- Auctioneer (Temporary)
- Auto Repossessor
- Filing Agent
- Home Improvement Salesperson
- Motor Vehicle Salesperson
- Parking Facility Attendant
- Security Alarm Agent
The operation of an employment agency, employment counseling service, or employer-paid personnel service.
A performance, recreational activity, spectacle, show, or similar event or service, including events or services occurring at amusement parks, bowling alleys, skating rinks, and theaters.
- Billiard Parlor
- Bowling Alley
- Mechanical Amusement Machine
- Movie Theater
- Public Hall
- Skating Rink
- Theater (Live)
- Tour Guide
Any service meant to store, transport, or distribute fuels or solvents, remediate pests or environmental contaminants, and store, transport, or collect solid waste.
- Dry Cleaner
- Flammable Materials Sales
- Fireworks Sales (Retail)
- Fireworks Sales (Wholesale)
- Fireworks Sales (Temporary)
- Funeral Establishment
- Gasoline Dealer
- Kerosene Sales
- Mattress Storage
- Solid Waste Collector
Any handling of food or food products regulated under Title 25 of the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations.
- Candy Manufacturer
- Caterers
- Delicatessen
- Food Products
- Food Vending Machine
- Grocery Store
- Ice Cream Manufacturer
- Marine Food Product (Retail)
- Marine Food Product (Wholesale)
- Mobile Delicatessen
- School Cafeteria (Non-DCPS/Charter School)
- School Cafeteria (DC)
- Restaurant
Any business engaged in the provision of general services and sales.
- Cigarette Sales (Retail)
- Cigarette Sales (Wholesale)
- Consumer Goods (Electronics Repair)
- General Business
- Mattress Sales
- Moving and Storage
- Patent Medicine
- Power Laundry
- Solicitor
- Stun Gun Sales
Operation of a swimming pool regulated under Title 25C of the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations or a pet shop regulated under Title 25J of the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations.
Provision of short-term or long-term housing or lodging for residents and visitors in the District, including one-family rentals, two-family rentals, apartments, hotels, bed and breakfasts, and other similar services.
- Bed and Breakfast
- Boarding House
- Cooperative Association
- Hotel
- Inn and Motel
- One Family Rental
- Rooming House
- Short-Term Rentals
- Two Family Rental
Any service whose primary purpose is to protect the safety, health, or property of residents of the District, including furnishing security systems, alarms, and personnel.
- Health Spa
- Health Spa Sales
- Horse-Drawn Carriage
- Massage Establishment
- Pawnbroker
- Second-Hand Dealers (A)
- Second-Hand Dealers (B)
- Second-Hand Dealers (C)
- Security Agency
- Security Alarm Dealer
Repair, servicing, alteration, restoration, towing, painting, cleaning, finishing, or parking of automobiles, trucks, recreational vehicles, boats and other vehicles, boats and other vehicles as a primary use, which may include the incidental wholesale and retail sale of vehicle parts as an accessory use.
- Auto Wash
- Automobile Repossession Business
- Consumer Goods (Auto Repair)
- Driving School
- Motor Vehicle Dealer
- New and Used Tire Dealer
- Parking Facility
- Solid Waste Vehicle
- Tow Truck
- Tow Truck Business
- Tow Truck Storage Lot
- Used Car Lot
- Used Car Seller Only
- Valet Parking
Basic Business License (BBL) Resources
Contact TTY:
711