Business Licensing Division

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 where you will be directed to one of our kiosks to apply for a Basic Business License via BOSS application.

Address:
1100 4th Street, SW, 2nd Floor
Washington, DC 20024

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.

Apply for a Business License

What Kind of License Do I Need?

Business Licensing Categories

Beauty & Grooming Services

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.

Charitable Services

Any service whose actual or purported purpose is benevolent, philanthropic, patriotic, educational (except religious education), scientific, environmental conservation, civic, or otherwise eleemosynary.

Contractor and Construction Services

Services that involve the planning, acquiring, building, equipping, altering, repairing, improving, or demolishing of any structure or appurtenance.

Employee/Independent Salesperson

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.

Employment Services

The operation of an employment agency, employment counseling service, or employer-paid personnel service.

Entertainment Services

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.

Environmental Services

Any service meant to store, transport, or distribute fuels or solvents, remediate pests or environmental contaminants, and store, transport, or collect solid waste.

Food Services

Any handling of food or food products regulated under Title 25 of the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations.

General Sales and Services

Any business engaged in the provision of general services and sales.

Health Services

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.

Housing and Lodging Services

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.

Public Safety Services

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.

Vehicular Services

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.

Basic Business License (BBL) Resources

Contact TTY:

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