Vending Steps to Licensing

The Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP) is excited that you are interested in obtaining a Vending Business License in the District. This contains important information about operating as a vendor.

To help you navigate the application process, below is an outline of the steps to obtain a Class A, B, C or D Vending Business License. If you have questions, you can contact the Vending Team at [email protected].

Class A Vending Business License: Food Vendor

Corporate Registration - Register Your Business and Trade Name with the Corporations Division (If you are applying as a sole proprietor with no trade name, a corporate registration is not required)
Tax Registration & Clean Hands - Register your business with the Office of Tax & Revenue by completing form FR-500. Request a Certificate of Clean Hands. The certificate must be dated within 30 days of submission of your license application.
Health Certificate - Submit a Mobile Food Vending Application with DC Health. Questions about a health certificate should be sent directly to DC Health via [email protected].
Go to boss.dc.gov to complete a business license application for vending. Select “New Business License” from the Business Licensing section of the left-hand menu. Then select “Street Vendor License” from the Category drop-down menu and select “Street Vending Business” as the Business Activity. You will schedule an inspection during this process.
To submit an application please visit the DC Business Licensing Portal. Select "Start" from the "Choose goal" drop-down menu, then select "Street Vending Business" from the "choose type of business" drop-down menu. The portal will generate a checklist with all the information you need to submit for your application. If your business requires a Propane Permit, apply for a Propane Permit before submitting your application on our DC Business Licensing Portal.

Once your application is received, a licensing specialist will review and followup with payment instructions.

Class A Vending Business License: Microenterprise Home Kitchen

Corporate Registration - Register Your Business and Trade Name with the Corporations Division (If you are applying as a sole proprietor with no trade name, a corporate registration is not required)
Tax Registration & Clean Hands - Register your business with the Office of Tax & Revenue by completing form FR-500. Request a Certificate of Clean Hands. The certificate must be dated within 30 days of submission of your license application.
Follow the guidelines as required from each respective District government agency. Visit here for more information.
To submit an application visit boss.dc.gov and select “New Business License” from the Business License section on the left-hand menu

If you have questions, you can contact the Vending Team at [email protected].

Class B Vending Business License: Merchandise Vendor

Corporate Registration - Register Your Business and Trade Name with the Corporations Division (If you are applying as a sole proprietor with no trade name, a corporate registration is not required)
Tax Registration & Clean Hands - Register your business with the Office of Tax & Revenue by completing form FR-500. Request a Certificate of Clean Hands. The certificate must be dated within 30 days of submission of your license application.
To submit an application please visit the DC Business Licensing Portal. Select "Start" from the "Choose goal" drop-down menu, then select "Street Vending Business" from the "choose type of business" drop-down menu. The portal will generate a checklist with all the information you need to submit for your application.
Go to boss.dc.gov to complete a business license application for vending. Select “New Business License” from the Business Licensing section of the left-hand menu. Then select “Street Vendor License” from the Category drop-down menu and select “Street Vending Business” as the Business Activity. You will schedule an inspection during this process

Once your application is received, a licensing specialist will review and follow up with payment instructions.

Class C Vending Business License: Farmer’s Market Manager License

Corporate Registration - Register Your Business and Trade Name with the Corporations Division (If you are applying as a sole proprietor with no trade name, a corporate registration is not required)
Tax Registration & Clean Hands - Register your business with the Office of Tax & Revenue by completing form FR-500. Request a Certificate of Clean Hands. The certificate must be dated within 30 days of submission of your license application.
Location Authorization:
1. Apply for a Public Space Permit from the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) if your market will be located on public space. Note: If your market will be located at a DPR or DCPS location, you will be required to submit a space agreement/permit from the respective agency.
2. Apply for a Temporary Certificate of Occupancy from the DOB Permit Center if your market will be located on private property.
Go to boss.dc.gov to complete a business license application for vending. Select “New Business License” from the Business Licensing section of the left-hand menu. Then select “Street Vendor License” from the Category drop-down menu and select “Street Vending Business” as the Business Activity. You will schedule an inspection during this process

*Note: Always when a public/farmers is in operation, the public/farmers market or a vendor employee shall be on site. The employee must hold a valid Vendor Employee Badge. Market Managers and market vendors are required to comply with all DC Health requirements. Contact DC Health at [email protected] for more information.