D.C. Code § 47-2851.04: License application and fees.

*NOTE: This section includes amendments by emergency legislation that will expire on November 8, 2026. To view the text of this section after the expiration of all emergency and temporary legislation affecting this section, click this link: Permanent Version.*

(a)

A person applying for an initial basic business license shall pay a license fee of:

(1)

$49 for a 6-month license;

(2)

$99 for a 2-year license; and

(3)

$198 for a 4-year license.

(b)

For the renewal of:

(1)

An initial 6-month license, a person shall pay a license fee of $49 for a second 6-month license; provided, that only one $49 renewal of a 6-month license shall be permitted; thereafter, the person shall pay a renewal license fee according to paragraph (2) of this subsection;

(2)

A 2-year license, a person shall pay a license fee of $99; and

(3)

A 4-year license, a person shall pay a license fee of $198.

(c)

(1)

Notwithstanding subsections (a) and (b) of this section, a business with expected or actual gross annual revenue of between $2,000 and $10,000 shall be exempt from the payment of basic business licensing fees.

(2)

(A)

When applying for an initial basic business license or when applying to renew a basic business license, a person claiming an exemption pursuant to paragraph (1) of this subsection shall submit a statement certifying that the annual gross revenue for the person's business will not or does not exceed $10,000 ("self-certification statement").

(B)

The self-certification statement submitted pursuant to subparagraph (A) of this paragraph shall be submitted on a form published by the Department. The form shall include a space for the person to enter his or her expected annual gross revenue for the next year or the gross annual revenue for the previous year.

(3)

If circumstances change such that the business no longer qualifies for the exemptions provided by this subsection after the submission of a self-certification statement, the person who submitted the self-certification statement shall inform the Department within 30 days of the change of circumstances.

(4)

An applicant who knowingly makes a false statement in a self-certification statement or who knowingly fails to inform the Department that a business no longer qualifies for the exemption shall be:

(A)

Guilty of a Class 1 civil infraction and subject to fines pursuant to section 3201 of Title 16 of the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations; and

(B)

Barred from receiving a basic business license for 5 years.

(d)

(1)

A person applying for a temporary special event license pursuant to § 47-2851.03(b) shall pay a license fee of $158 per day.

(2)

The Mayor may adjust the license fee set forth in paragraph (1) of this subsection to cover the costs to the District of providing police, fire, and other public services that are necessary to protect public health and safety.

(e)

The Department may revise the fees established in this section through the promulgation of rules pursuant to subchapter I of Chapter 5 of Title 2.

(f)

Nothing in this section shall be construed to supersede the zoning regulations.

(g)

(1)

The Department shall not charge a license fee to a charity.

(2)

The Department may accept an affidavit of religious exemption in lieu of a certificate of registration.

(h)

(1)

A motor club or a business offering private tow services exclusively on behalf of a motor club that applies for a vehicular services license subject to this section shall not be required to identify a towing service storage lot.

(2)

For the purposes of this subsection, the term:

(A)

"Motor club" means an entity that provides emergency roadside service for members, and at least 2 of the following services:

(i)

Furnishing or procuring of reservations, discounts, monetary exchange, and other travel-related services;

(ii)

Arranging for a loan or other advance of money to a member in connection with providing any other motor club service;

(iii)

Furnishing insurance coverage to members under an approved group or blanket policy, issued to the motor club by an authorized insurer;

(iv)

Payment for, or reimbursement of, a member for fees charged by an attorney for services rendered to the member in defense of a traffic offense;

(v)

Assistance in locating, identifying, or recovering a stolen or missing vehicle owned by a member; and

(vi)

Any other related service as determined by the Mayor through rulemaking.

(B)

"Private tow" means the towing of a motor vehicle at the request of the owner or authorized agent of the owner.