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Basic Business License Information:
Bowling Alley
NAICS CODE: 713950
NAICS DESCRIPTION: Establishment where bowling alley (lanes), billiard or pool tables, or any table, alley or board upon which legitimate games are played.
Endorsement Class: Entertainment Services
Legal Authority: DC Code: 47-2821 DC Municipal Regulations, Title 22
| License Duration: Two (2) Years |
Category License Fee: $102.00 per lane |
| License Available Online: No |
Application Fee: $70.00 |
| Online Processing Fee: N/A |
Endorsement Fee: $25.00 |
Payment Method
If applying in person, you can pay for your Basic Business License (BBL) by cash, check, money order, or credit card at the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs, Business License Center, 941 North Capitol Street, NE, Suite 1000, Washington, DC 20002.
If applying by mail you can pay for your Basic Business License (BBL) by check or money order payable to "DC Treasurer" and submitted to:
Bank of America Lockbox Services
Attention: DC Government Wholesale Lockbox #91360
Bank of America Lockbox Services
11333 McCormick Road
Hunt Valley, MD 21031
Application Requirements
All applicants for a Basic Business License must comply with the following DC Code requirements:
Basic Business License Application
To make sure you get your BBL as quickly as possible, you must submit a properly completed Basic Business License Application package. All of your responses should be printed clearly in English.
Certificate of Occupancy / Compliance for Zoning Regulations
Before applying for your BBL, you'll need a Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) for the location where your business is conducted to demonstrate that your business does not conflict with building and zoning codes. (If your business is located in an office building, you may operate under the umbrella of the C of O issued to the owner of the building, as long as the C of O was issued for the entire building; check with your building owner or management company for the C of O holder name, number, and issue date.) If you have any questions about Certificates of Occupancy, please call the Building & Land Regulation Administration at (202) 442-4589.
Clean Hands CertificationYou'll also need to certify that you don't owe more than $100 to the District of Columbia government as a result of fees, penalties, interest, or taxes through completion of a Clean Hands form provided in your BBL application package.
Office of Tax & Revenue (OTR) Registration
Before applying for your BBL, you'll also need to register your business with OTR and submit a copy of your tax registration certificate with your application. If you're not already registered, simply complete and file a Combined Business Tax Registration Application (Form FR500). You get all the necessary forms and submit your application online at the Business this can also be done online at the Business Tax Service Center. For more information, please call the Tax Customer Center at (202) 727-4829.
Fire Marshall Inspection
Your business is subject to inspection/approval by the DC Fire Marshall pursuant to DC Municipal Regulations and the DC Code. All businesses that manufacture, wholesale, warehouse, distribute, sell or use toxic or flammable materials or provide services to large audiences (theatres, restaurants, and public halls) are subject to inspection to ensure the safety of customers, employees, and property. Applicant shall obtain approval from the DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services (FEMS) Department, Fire Prevention Inspection Division. For additional information, please call (202) 727-1614 or visit the office located at 441 4th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20002 to schedule an inspection.
Department of Health Approval
Your business activity must be inspected and/or receive approval to operate by the Department of Health (DOH) Environmental Health Administration; Bureau of Food, Drug, and Radiation Protection (Food Protection Division), located at 51 N Street, NE, Washington, DC, or call the Food Protection Division at (202) 535-2180 for DOH approval procedures.
Police Criminal History Report (Form PD 70)
You must attach a certified copy of your Police Criminal History Report from the jurisdiction in which you reside to the Basic Business License Application. You may obtain this Report (PD-70) from the DC Metropolitan Police Department in person at 300 Indiana Avenue, NW Room 3055, or call the Police Criminal History Report Division at (202) 727-4245 for additional details. A non-resident shall obtain this report from the jurisdiction in which he/she resides.
Minimum Age Requirement
Each applicant must be at least twenty-one (21) years old.
ANC Notification
DC Code 47-2820 requires that DCRA mail a 30-day notice to the affected Neighborhood Advisory Commissions if you file for an application to operate a public hall. The notice states that any resident or owner of a residential property within 600 feet of the boundary lines of the lot upon which the establishment is located is entitled to be heard. The notice contains the time and date of the hearing.
Applicant Posting
You are also required by DC Code 47-2820 to post two notices for a period of four weeks in a conspicuous place outside of the premises. The notice states that any resident or owner of a residential property within 600 feet of the boundary lines of the lot upon which the establishment is located is entitled to be heard. The notice shall contain the time and date of the hearing.
Note: If resident objects, a hearing will be held to determine the following:
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The effect of the establishment on the peace, order, and quiet of the neighborhood; and/or
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The effect of the establishment on the residential parking needs and vehicular and pedestrian safety of the neighborhood.
If your business falls into one of the following categories, there are additional requirements for your BBL application, as described below.
Corporation Division Requirements
If you are a corporation, partnership or limited liability company you must be registered in the District and in good standing. For instructions on how to register, please go to DCRA Corporate Registration Information Center. For more information, please call the Corporation Division at (202) 442-4432.
Non-Resident of the District of Columbia (including Foreign Corporations)
If you are not a resident of the District of Columbia, you'll need to appoint a Resident Agent or an Attorney-in-Fact who lives or works in an office in the District, who will be the official recipient of any financial, process, or legal notices that we need to send to you. If you are not a DC resident, please complete the Certified Resident Agent Appointment Form.
Corporate Registered Agents
Every corporation needs to have a registered agent office in the District of Columbia. This office can but does not need to be the same as your place of business. Foreign corporations doing business in DC need to certify that their named registered agent is duly authorized to represent that corporation.
Trade Name Operative (Use of Fictitious Business Name)
If your business uses a Trade Name, you'll need to register the name with DCRA and indicate both the trade name and the official business name (including its corporation, LLC, or partnership classification) if applicable.
Other District or Federal Agencies Involved for this Basic Business License
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Additional Business Activities (BBL Endorsements)
If you conduct more than one business activity (endorsement type), you'll need to indicate those activities on your BBL application. You might have any number of additional business activities connected to this particular license endorsement.
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Restaurants/Delicatessens
Requires a Basic Business License endorsement
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Mechanical Amusement Machines
Requires an additional Basic Business License endorsement
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Cigarette Vending Machines
Requires a Basic Business License endorsement
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Alcoholic Beverages (Please contact Alcohol Beverage Regulation Administration on (202) 442-4423.)
Requires a Basic Business License endorsement
Special Notes: If your business includes any of the above endorsement activities, you can get additional fact sheets and application forms by contacting DCRA's License Center at (202) 442-4311, or by email at bbl.infocenter@dc.gov.
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