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Vending and Special Events
The DC government issues licenses and permits for street vending and special events involving street or ally closings, parades, block parties, or fireworks. The Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA) issues special-event licenses, for which there is a fee. Public space permits for smaller events, such as block parties, are free and issued by the Emergency Management Agency (EMA). There is currently a moratorium on street vending licenses; when available, they are issued by DCRA. Applications for all licenses and permits may be obtained at the DCRA, 941 North Capitol Street, NE Washington, DC 20002, (202) 442-4400. Appointments are preferable.
Public Space Permit
The Emergency Management Agency issues public space permits to applicants who meet these criteria:
- they obtained the written consent of 51 percent of present occupants of the block to be closed for the event; and
- they obtained the consent of appropriate District agencies and departments, including the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), the Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department (FEMS), Metro, and the Department of Public Works (DPW).
Currently there is no cost for this permit. However, the Metropolitan Police Department may demand information on the scope of your activity, require you to absorb the cost of the officers needed to close the street, and any other security detail that may be required.
See EMA for more information on street closing permits and special event planning.
Special Events Licenses
The Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA) issues special event licenses. The basic cost of the license is $205 per day.
Applicants must obtain:
- written consent of 90 percent of the businesses and residents within a 500-foot radius of the perimeter of the event; and
- written consent of the owner of the property; should your event take place in the street, you would need a street closing (see Public Space Permit); and
- a diagram depicting the layout of your event.
Depending on the event's complexity, you may be required to obtain construction and electrical permits. The cost of the electrical permit varies; however the cost for the construction permit is $33 per item.
You will need a construction or electrical permit if you will:
- use a generator that produces in excess of 15 amps;
- use tents, canopies, and kiosk staging.
Plans must indicate dimensions and show how tents, if used, would be secured.
If your proposed structure exceeds 1,400 square feet, you will be required to have your plans stamped by a licensed DC structural engineer. Additionally, depending on the complexity of your event, you may be required to hire a licensed DC master electrician.
Approvals may be required from the Fire and Emergency Medical Services (FEMS) department, the Department of Health (DOH), the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), the Office of Tax and Revenue, and in some instances various federal agencies.
All event sponsors must make a presentation before the Mayor's Special Event Task Group. The body meets the second and fourth Monday of each month. All event sponsors must make an appointment by calling Tanya Mitchell at (202) 727-6161.
DCRA Special Events Contacts
| Agency |
Contact |
Phone Number |
| DCRA |
Samuel Williams |
(202) 535-2973 |
| |
Curtis Wise |
(202) 442-4313 |
| MPD |
Sgt Zachary Scott |
(202) 727-4635 |
| |
Lt Steve Sunn |
(202) 727-4635 |
| FEMS |
Sgt Tony Fallwell |
(202) 727-1600 |
| DPW |
Michael Carter |
(202) 671-2307 |
| EMA |
Tanya Mitchell |
(202) 727-6161 |
| |
Gloria Jackson |
(202) 727-6161 |
| OTR |
William Bowie |
(202) 442-6512 |
| DPR |
Darliene Jackson |
(202) 673-7679 |
| METRO |
Clement Nedd |
(202) 962-1258 |
| RKF Stadium |
Kenny Brown |
(202) 547-9077 |
| |
Robert Brown |
(202) 547-9077 |
| Nat Park Service |
Rick Merryman |
(202) 619-7225 |
Street Vending
Pursuant to DC Law 12-86, Omnibus Regulatory Reform Amendment Act of 1998, the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA) has placed a moratorium on the issuance all new vending licenses. We do not know at this time when that moratorium will be lifted.
Applications for all licenses and permits may be obtained at the DCRA. Appointments are preferable.
Laws Governing Special Events and Vending
Special events are primarily regulated by the District of Columbia Municipal Regulation (DCMR) 19, Chapters 11 and 13.
Chapter 11 discusses the recreational use of public space.
All of the aforementioned DCMR documents may be obtained from the DC Office of Documents at 441 4th Street NW, Suite 520-S. | 
