Every business operating in the District holds a BBL, applied for through the online portal in the category that matches the activity. The BEST Act took effect October 1, 2025 and folded more than 100 endorsements into a short list of flat fee categories. The application asks for the certificate of occupancy or home occupation permit, the Certificate of Clean Hands and the entity registration, and the food, beauty and pet categories add an inspection approval before the license issues.
Checked Oct 21, 2026 against the agency’s page.
Step 2 of 6: Register for tax
1Set up the business
2Register for tax
3Approve the space
4Get the permits for your kind of business
5Alcohol permits
6Before the first hire
Issued by Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection, Business Licensing Division.
Sources and dates
DLCP license and corporate filing fee summary; DLCP BEST Act pages (D.C. Code 47-2851). Checked against the agency’s page on the date shown; cities add their own fees.
Questions about opening here.
Yes. Every business operating in the District holds a BBL, applied for through the online portal in the category that matches the activity.
Yes. Every business operating in the District holds a BBL, applied for through the online portal in the category that matches the activity.
Yes. Every business operating in the District holds a BBL, applied for through the online portal in the category that matches the activity.
Yes. Every business operating in the District holds a BBL, applied for through the online portal in the category that matches the activity.
Yes. Every business operating in the District holds a BBL, applied for through the online portal in the category that matches the activity.
Yes. Every business operating in the District holds a BBL, applied for through the online portal in the category that matches the activity.
Yes. Every business operating in the District holds a BBL, applied for through the online portal in the category that matches the activity.
Yes. Every business operating in the District holds a BBL, applied for through the online portal in the category that matches the activity.
Yes. Every business operating in the District holds a BBL, applied for through the online portal in the category that matches the activity.
Yes. Every business operating in the District holds a BBL, applied for through the online portal in the category that matches the activity.
Yes. Every business operating in the District holds a BBL, applied for through the online portal in the category that matches the activity.
Yes. Every business operating in the District holds a BBL, applied for through the online portal in the category that matches the activity.
Yes. Every business operating in the District holds a BBL, applied for through the online portal in the category that matches the activity.
Yes. Every business operating in the District holds a BBL, applied for through the online portal in the category that matches the activity.
Yes. Every business operating in the District holds a BBL, applied for through the online portal in the category that matches the activity.
Yes. Every business operating in the District holds a BBL, applied for through the online portal in the category that matches the activity.
Yes. Every business operating in the District holds a BBL, applied for through the online portal in the category that matches the activity.
Yes. Every business operating in the District holds a BBL, applied for through the online portal in the category that matches the activity.
Yes. Every business operating in the District holds a BBL, applied for through the online portal in the category that matches the activity.
Yes. Every business operating in the District holds a BBL, applied for through the online portal in the category that matches the activity.
Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection, Business Licensing Division.
Step 2 of 6, register for tax. The steps before it: set up the business.
Who needs a Basic Business License (BBL) in District of Columbia?
