The District of Columbia has one of the most vendor-friendly environments in the country. And unlike other major cities that have capped all new licenses or banned street vending altogether, the District has yet to meet its full potential. The DC Department of Consumer & Regulatory Affairs, which oversees the street vending program, is pushing new rules and regulations that will advance the District's efforts to make its sidewalks a vibrant place of business with dynamic food options.
Any entrepreneur considering opening a small business on the District's sidewalks can get a vending license at just a fraction of the costs to start a brick-and-mortar store. Entrepreneurs can also apply for new, city-initiated micro-loans to support their new businesses. The possibilities truly are endless.
For more information on starting a street vending business or if you have questions or comments on the city's vending program, call the
Street Vending Hotline at (202) 442-4512 or send us an
email.
In November 2006, the Enhanced Business Information Center (e-BIC) created an online survey to find out what DC shoppers, residents and workers want from their local vendors in downtown DC. Read the
DCRA Street Vending Survey Results*.
DCRA has proposed new regulations to govern the District's Street Vending program to provide expanded opportunities for vendors to grow and protect their business and diversify their food offerings. The regulations also streamline the oversight process. A copy of the proposed regulations as published on October 1, 2008 in the District of Columbia Register is below.
In Spring 2008, the DC Council passed legislation that allowed DCRA to place more than 40 vending sites outside of the new Nationals Park in Southwest Washington. The first 28 sites are distributed through a monthly lottery system and give vendors exclusive rights to a designated site for one month. Another 14 sites are also distributed through a lottery system, but those vendors are given exclusive rights for the entirety on the Major League Baseball regular season which runs from April through September.
