Basic Business License (Restaurant Endorsement) — Washington, DC
Every DC restaurant must hold a Basic Business License with a restaurant endorsement from DLCP.
What it is. The Basic Business License (BBL) with a "Restaurant" endorsement — the operating license required to conduct business in the District.
Who issues it. DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP) — Business Licensing Division.
When you need it. Before operating; you may need multiple endorsements for multiple activities.
How to apply. Apply via the My DC Business Center portal (mybusiness.dc.gov) or the DLCP Business License Center.
Fees. $70 application + up to $25 per endorsement (same to renew) — see source (⟢ VERIFY).
Renewal. Per BBL term (⟢ VERIFY, typically 2-year).
What SpoonSeal tracks. The document(s) you upload for this requirement, with automatic renewal/expiration tracking (Current, Due Soon, Expired). Where the city publishes health-inspection results (e.g., NYC and Chicago), SpoonSeal syncs them automatically; elsewhere they can be added manually.
References
- DLCP, Business Licensing Division — https://dlcp.dc.gov/service/business-licensing-division — Official source last checked: 2026-07-02
Stay ahead of this requirement
SpoonSeal stores your documents, tracks expirations, and reminds you before anything lapses — so you are always inspection-ready.
Get started free →This guide is informational and not legal advice. Always confirm current requirements with the official agency linked above.