Who needs a food establishment license (Food Services BBL with DC Health inspection) in District of Columbia?
Issued by DC Health, Food Safety and Hygiene Inspection Services Division, through the DLCP Food Services license category, at step 4 of 6 in the opening sequence: get the permits for your kind of business.
9 of the 20 kinds of business in District of Columbia
Submit plans to DC Health before building out or converting a space, pass the pre-opening inspection, then apply for the BBL in the Food Services category with the approved inspection report, the certificate of occupancy and the Clean Hands certificate. Restaurants, bars, coffee shops, bakeries, delicatessens and ice cream shops are all food establishments under the food code. Ask DC Health for the seating tier fee that applies to your floor plan before budgeting.
Checked Oct 21, 2026 against the agency’s page.
Step 4 of 6: Get the permits for your kind of business
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 DC Health, Food Safety and Hygiene Inspection Services Division, through the DLCP Food Services license category.
Sources and dates
DC Health food establishment and inspection pages (25-A DCMR, the District food code); DLCP Food Services category page. Checked against the agency’s page on the date shown; cities add their own fees.
Questions about opening here.
Yes. Submit plans to DC Health before building out or converting a space, pass the pre-opening inspection, then apply for the BBL in the Food Services category with the approved inspection report, the certificate of occupancy and the Clean Hands certificate.
Yes. Submit plans to DC Health before building out or converting a space, pass the pre-opening inspection, then apply for the BBL in the Food Services category with the approved inspection report, the certificate of occupancy and the Clean Hands certificate.
Yes. Submit plans to DC Health before building out or converting a space, pass the pre-opening inspection, then apply for the BBL in the Food Services category with the approved inspection report, the certificate of occupancy and the Clean Hands certificate.
Yes. Submit plans to DC Health before building out or converting a space, pass the pre-opening inspection, then apply for the BBL in the Food Services category with the approved inspection report, the certificate of occupancy and the Clean Hands certificate.
Yes. Submit plans to DC Health before building out or converting a space, pass the pre-opening inspection, then apply for the BBL in the Food Services category with the approved inspection report, the certificate of occupancy and the Clean Hands certificate.
Yes. Submit plans to DC Health before building out or converting a space, pass the pre-opening inspection, then apply for the BBL in the Food Services category with the approved inspection report, the certificate of occupancy and the Clean Hands certificate.
Yes. Submit plans to DC Health before building out or converting a space, pass the pre-opening inspection, then apply for the BBL in the Food Services category with the approved inspection report, the certificate of occupancy and the Clean Hands certificate.
Yes. Submit plans to DC Health before building out or converting a space, pass the pre-opening inspection, then apply for the BBL in the Food Services category with the approved inspection report, the certificate of occupancy and the Clean Hands certificate.
Yes. Submit plans to DC Health before building out or converting a space, pass the pre-opening inspection, then apply for the BBL in the Food Services category with the approved inspection report, the certificate of occupancy and the Clean Hands certificate.
No. In District of Columbia it is listed for coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars and 3 more.
No. In District of Columbia it is listed for coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars and 3 more.
No. In District of Columbia it is listed for coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars and 3 more.
No. In District of Columbia it is listed for coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars and 3 more.
No. In District of Columbia it is listed for coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars and 3 more.
No. In District of Columbia it is listed for coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars and 3 more.
No. In District of Columbia it is listed for coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars and 3 more.
No. In District of Columbia it is listed for coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars and 3 more.
No. In District of Columbia it is listed for coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars and 3 more.
No. In District of Columbia it is listed for coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars and 3 more.
No. In District of Columbia it is listed for coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars and 3 more.
DC Health, Food Safety and Hygiene Inspection Services Division, through the DLCP Food Services license category.
Step 4 of 6, get the permits for your kind of business. The steps before it: set up the business, register for tax and approve the space.
Who needs a food establishment license in District of Columbia?
