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Basic Business License Information:
Circus
NAICS CODE: 711190-1 A public entertainment consisting typically of a variety of performances by acrobats, clowns, and trained animals, to which an admission is charged, directly or indirectly, other than those used for athletic exhibitions.
NAICS DESCRIPTION: A public entertainment consisting typically of a variety of performances by acrobats, clowns, and trained animals, to which an admission is charged, directly or indirectly, other than those used for athletic exhibitions.
Endorsement Class: Entertainment Services
Legal Authority: DC Code: 47-2825 DC Municipal Regulations, Title 19
| License Duration: Two (2) Years |
Category License Fee: $158.00 per day |
| 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.
Mayor’s Special Events Task Group
Submit a written request to the Mayor’s Special Events Task Group in writing a description of the event within a minimum of sixty (60) business days prior to the proposed scheduled date of the event. MSETG is located at 2000 14th Street, NW or via fax on (202) 673- 2290.
Special Events Application - Questionnaire
You must obtain a Special Events License before you can have a special event on public space in the District of Columbia, whether you are for-profit or a non-profit organization. The Special Events License application must be submitted at least 15 working days (45-60 days is recommended) prior to the date of the event to: Special Events-Vending Coordinator at (202) 535-2973.
Site Plan
A copy of the site plan must be submitted with your application. Describing (if applicable) the stage construction, size and materials. Also submit a letter which describes the location, date(s) and time the event will be held and must indicate the date and time you plan to complete the construction and to set-up the sales booths, equipment, amusement rides, etc. The determination of your set-up date is crucial to the process of issuing a license. Careful planning is necessary. On that date, your site will be inspected, and must be approved by food service, plumbing, construction, electrical and fire safety inspectors.
Consent List
Submit a ”consent list” of 90 percent of the resident housekeepers and occupants of business establishments within a distance of five hundred (500) feet from the perimeter of the lot where the activity will take place. The list must contain the name and street address, in numerical order of the residents and business occupants who have consented to the activity by providing their signature on the list. Each petition page of the list shall contain at the top, in capital letters, a detailed explanation of the proposed activity including the dates and hours the activity will take place.
Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency
If a street closing is needed, submit copy of application for street closing from the Emergency Management Agency, 2000 14th Street, NW, 8th Floor. For additional information, please call (202) 727-3159.
Department of Parks and Recreation
If your event requires the use of any District of Columbia parks or recreation facilities, you must obtain a permit from the DC Department of Parks and Recreation, 3140 16th Street, NW. For additional information, please call (202) 673-7646.
Metropolitan Police Department
You must obtain permits for parades, walks, runs, bike rides, marches, rallies, demonstrations, and protests from the Special Operations Division of the Metropolitan Police Department, 2301 L Street, NW. For additional information, please call (202) 727-4635.
Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services
If your event includes any type of fireworks display, you must obtain permits for the use of fireworks from the Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services – Office of the Fire Marshall. To begin the permit application process, please contact: the Office of the Fire Marshall at (202) 727-1600.
DCRA Permits Division
A temporary electrical permit is required when electrical work is involved. Only a District licensed and bonded electrical contractor can obtain such permits. Also, if the set-up will include construction of a tent, stands or booths, a construction permit is required. For more information, visit dcra.dc.gov.
Alcoholic Beverage Control Regulation
If you plan to have any type of alcoholic beverages at the event, you must obtain a license from the Alcoholic Beverage Control Regulation Administration, 941 North Capitol Street, NE. For additional information, contact (202) 442-4423.
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
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.
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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