{"data":{"id":"us-dc/d.c.-code-25-314","jurisdiction":"us-dc","citation":"D.C. Code § 25-314","heading":"Additional considerations for new license application or transfer of license to a new location.","body":"(a)\nIn determining the appropriateness of an establishment for initial issuance of a license or a transfer of a license to a new location, the Board shall also consider the following:\n(1)\nThe proximity of the establishment to schools, recreation centers, day care centers, public libraries, or other similar facilities;\n(2)\nThe effect of the establishment on the operation and clientele of schools, recreation centers, day care centers, public libraries, or other similar facilities; and\n(3)\nWhether school-age children using facilities in proximity to the establishment will be unduly attracted to the establishment while present at, or going to or from, the school, recreation center, day care center, public  library, or similar facility at issue.\n(4)\nWhether issuance of the license would create or contribute to an overconcentration of licensed establishments which is likely to affect adversely the locality, section, or portion in which the establishment is located.\n\n(b)\n(1)\nNo license shall be issued for any establishment within 400 feet of a public, private, or parochial primary, elementary, or high school; college or university; or recreation area operated by the District of Columbia Department of Parks and Recreation, except as provided in paragraphs (2) through (11) of this subsection.\n(2)\nThe 400-foot restriction shall not apply to a restaurant, hotel, club, caterer's, bed and breakfast, or temporary license.\n(3)\n(A)\nThe 400-foot restriction shall not apply if there exists within 400 feet a currently-functioning establishment holding a license of the same class at  the time that the new application is submitted.\n(B)\nThe exception to the 400-foot restriction in subparagraph (A) of this paragraph shall not apply if the currently operating establishment holding a license of the same class is exempt from the 400-foot restriction under paragraph (8) of this subsection.\n(4)\nThe 400-foot restriction shall not apply if:\n(A)\nThe applicant applies for an off-premises retailer's license, class B, that meets the definition of a full-service grocery store, as defined in § 25-101(22A);\n(B)\nThe sale of alcoholic beverages constitutes no more than 15% of the total volume of gross receipts on an annual basis;\n(C)\nThe establishment is not located in a residential-use district as defined in the zoning regulations and shown in the official atlases of the Zoning Commission for the District of Columbia, or if located within the Southeast Federal Center, in the SEFC-1 zone;\n(D)\nThe opinion of the ANC, if any, in which the establishment is located has been given great weight; and\n(E)\nThe applicant does not hold a manufacturer's or wholesaler's license.\n(5)\nThe 400-foot restriction shall not apply where the main entrance to the college, university, or recreation area, or the nearest property line of the school is actually on or occupies ground zoned commercial or industrial according to the official atlases of the Zoning Commission of the District of Columbia.\n(6)\nThe 400-foot restriction shall not apply to an application for a retailer's license, class IA or IB.\n(7)\nThe 400-foot restriction shall not apply to an applicant for a retailer's license, class B, if the applicant's establishment will be located inside of a hotel and will have no direct public access to the street or the outside of the hotel's building.\n(8)\nThe 400-foot restriction shall not apply to an application for an on-premises retailer's license, class CT, DT, CX, or DX, or an off-premises retailer's license, class A or B, located in the Mixed Use-12 Zone, Square 473 according to the official atlases of the Zoning Commission of the District of Columbia.\n(9)\nThe 400-foot restriction shall not apply to an application for an on-premises retailer's license, CR, DR, CH, DH, CT, DT, CX, or DX, where the establishment will be located entirely on a college or university campus and will not have direct public access to the street or the outside of the college's or university's main entrance.\n(10)\nThe 400-foot restriction shall not apply to an applicant for a class change of an off-premises retailer's license, class A or B; provided, that:\n(A)\nThe licensed establishment is not located in a residential-use district as defined by the zoning regulations and shown in the official atlases of the Zoning Commission for the District of Columbia; and\n(B)\nAnother off-premises retailer's license of the same class is not located within 400 feet of the applicant.\n(11)\nThe 400-foot restriction shall not apply if:\n(A)\nThe applicant applies for an off-premises retailer's license, Class B;\n(B)\nThe applicant qualifies as a corner store and has been approved by the Board of Zoning Adjustment for a special exception under Chapter 11-U2 of Title 11 of the DCMR (11-U DCMR § 254);\n(C)\nThe applicant's establishment is located in ANC 1B;\n(D)\nThe sales area of the applicant's establishment that is devoted to the sale of alcohol for off-site consumption constitutes no more than 15% of the gross floor area of the ground floor of the corner store;\n(E)\nThe applicant's sale of alcoholic beverages constitutes no more than 15% of the total volume of gross receipts on an annual basis;\n(F)\nThe applicant's establishment is located in a Great Streets Corridor; and\n(G)\nThe opinion of the ANC, if any, has been given great weight.\".\n(12)\nThe 400-foot restriction shall not apply to an establishment operating under a 25% grocery store class A retailer license issued pursuant to § 25-303(c-2).\n\n(c)\nIn the case of applications for nightclub or tavern licenses, the Board shall consider whether the proximity of the establishment to a residence district, as identified in the zoning regulations of the District and shown in the official atlases of the Zoning Commission for the District, would generate a substantial adverse impact on the residents of the District.","path":["Title 25. Alcoholic Beverages. [Enacted title]","Chapter 3. Requirements To Qualify For License.","Subchapter II. Qualification of Establishment."],"source_url":"https://code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/code/sections/25-314","current_through":"2026-08-20 (D.C. Law 26-175)","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-08-29T05:44:07Z","sha256":"64c7b0bc081ab980b89cd100bca17db4693785dcd0a3cb3629e469920dded985","source_id":"us-dc","stale":false,"prev":"us-dc/d.c.-code-25-313","next":"us-dc/d.c.-code-25-315"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}