Starting a DC Business

This guide gives you the basic steps for starting a DC business. 

Roadmap

All businesses in DC must be licensed. The majority of businesses are licensed by DCRA in four (4) easy steps:

Step 1. Business Formation/Registration

Step 2. Tax Registration (Federal and Local)

Step 3. Certificate of Occupancy or Home Occupation Permit

Step 4. Licensing (Business, Occupational & Professional License)

External Resource

OTHER RESOURCES

Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs

1100 4th Street, SW, Washington, DC, 20024

Office Hours: Monday,Tuesday,Wednesday,Friday 8:30am to 4:30pm and Thursday 9:30am - 4:30pm

Phone: (202) 442-4400

This is map view of the location