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License and Processing Fees


Find below a list of the license, permit, and processing fees for various types of ABC establishments. Annual fees are determined by various combinations of license class, license type, and capacity. For detailed information about license and permit fees, refer to DC Municipal Regulations 208 (license fees) and 209 (permit and endorsement fees). Also refer to License Types and Classes for more information.

Make all checks, cashier's checks, money orders or certified checks payable to the DC Treasurer. Visa and Mastercard are also acceptable forms of payment, however ABRA does not accept cash, American Express or Discover cards.


 

 

Retailers Classes A and B

  • Retailer Class B: $1,300
  • Retailer Class A: $2,600
  • Wholesaler Class A: $5,200
  • Wholesaler Class B: $2,600


“Class A” refers to liquor stores, which sell beer, wine, and spirits.

“Class B” refers to grocery stores, which are permitted to sell beer and wine.

Read more about License Types and Classes.

 

On-premises Retailers, Class C

Annual license fees for all Class C licenses, except the Washington Convention Center and the DC Arena, are based on the certificate of occupancy for the establishment:

  Class
  Type
  Capacity
  Fee
  CR-01   Restaurant   99 or fewer   $1,000
  CR-02   Restaurant  100 to 199   $1,300
  CR-03   Restaurant   200 to 499   $1,950
  CR-04   Restaurant   500 or more   $2,600
  CT-01   Tavern   99 or fewer   $1,300
  CT-02   Tavern   100 to 199   $2,080
  CT-03   Tavern   200 or more   $3,120
  CN-01   Nightclub   99 or fewer   $1,950
  CN-02   Nightclub   100 to 199   $2,600
  CN-03   Nightclub   200 to 499   $3,250
  CN-04   Nightclub   500 to 999   $4,550
  CN-05   Nightclub   1,000 or more   $5,850
  CH-01   Hotel   99 or fewer guest rooms   $2,600
  CH-02   Hotel   100 or more guest rooms   $5,200
  CX Club   $1,950
  CX multipurpose facility   $1,950
  CX marine vessel, single vessel   $1,950
  CX marine vessel line, for 3 or fewer vessels and dockside waiting areas   $3,250
  For each additional vessel or dockside waiting area   $1,950
  CX railroad dining or club car, single car   $650
  CX railroad company, all dining or club cars   $1,950
 

On-premises Retailers, Class D

The annual license fees for all Class D licenses, except the Washington Convention Center and the DC Arena, are based on the certificate of occupancy for the establishment:

  Class
  Type
  Capacity
  Fee
  DR-01   Restaurant   99 or fewer   $600
  DR-02   Restaurant   100 to 199   $780
  DR-03   Restaurant   200 to 499   $1,170
  DR-04   Restaurant   500 or more   $1,560
  DT-01   Tavern   99 or fewer   $1,000
  DT-02   Tavern   100 to 199   $1,300
  DT-03   Tavern   200 or more   $1,950
  DN-01   Nightclub   99 or fewer   $1,300
  DN-02   Nightclub   100 to 199   $1,625
  DN-03   Nightclub   200 to 499   $1,950
  DN-04   Nightclub   500 to 999   $2,600
  DN-05   Nightclub   1,000 or more   $4,550
  DH-01   Hotel   99 or fewer guest rooms   $1,300
  DH-02   Hotel   100 or more guest rooms   $2,600
  DX Club   $650
  DX multipurpose facility   $650
  DX marine vessel, single vessel   $975
  DX marine vessel line, for 3 or fewer vessels and dockside waiting areas   $1,300
  For each additional vessel or dockside waiting area   $650
  DX railroad dining or club car, single car   $325
  DX railroad company, all dining or club cars   $650
 

Caterers

The annual license fee for a Cater's license is based on the caterer's annual revenue for the previous year as follows:

  Class
  Gross Annual Revenue
  Fees
  Caterer   More than $1,000,000 per year Gross Annual Revenue   $5,000
  Caterer   $500,001 - $1,000,000 per year Gross Annual Revenue   $4,000
  Caterer   $300,001 - $500,000 per year Gross Annual Revenue   $3,000
  Caterer   $200,001 - $300,000 per year Gross Annual Revenue   $2,000
  Caterer   $100,001 - $200,000 per year Gross Annual Revenue   $1,500
  Caterer   $50,001 - $100,000 per year Gross Annual Revenue   $1,000
  Caterer   $25,001 - $50,000 per year Gross Annual Revenue   $750
  Caterer   $0 - $25,000 per year Gross Annual Revenue   $500
 

Endorsements

Annual fees for the various endorsements and permits are as follows:

  • Sidewalk café or summer garden endorsement: $75
  • Entertainment Endorsement: 20% of the base license fee
  • Tasting endorsement/permit for Class A Retailers: $130

 

 

Permits

  • Tasting permit for Class A Retailers: $130
  • Brew Pub permit: $3,900
  • Storage Facility permit: $300
  • Off-Premises Storage permit: $25
  • Amendment to a license which results in an inspection to the licensed premises: $50
  • Certification Provider permit: $100
 

Application Processing Fees

  • New license application, excluding manager and solicitor license applications: $75
  • Transfer of a license to a new owner: $250
  • Transfer of a license to a new location: $250
  • Change of officer, director, stockholder, or general or limited partner $100
  • Corporate or trade name change: $50
  • Keg registration: $6 per keg registration book, which is valid for the registration of ten kegs