December 2022
Dear DLCP Customers,
As we approach the end of the year, I would like to wish you and your loved ones a very Happy Holiday season.
Our Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection staff has worked tirelessly to ensure no service interruption to our customers. I am proud of what we have accomplished together to support the residents, visitors, and businesses of the District. I look forward to working with you in the new year.
This month we extended our community outreach to continue our aim of "Helping Consumers And Businesses Thrive." To that point, on December 20, we held our first hybrid event in the building since the COVID-19 pandemic. That event, a Street and Sidewalk Vending Workshop, was held in partnership with the Mayor's Office of Community Affairs, attracted more than 80 participants, and provided useful information and requirements of operating a street and sidewalk business in the District.
I am thankful to our agency partners, including the Mayor's Office of Community Affairs (MOCA); the District Department of Transportation (DDOT); the Department of Health (DOH); and the Mayor's Offices on African, Latino, and Asian Pacific Islander Affairs for making it a successful event. We value consumers' health and safety and we want to make sure the licensing, enforcement, and education are equitable, fair, and inclusive.
Looking ahead into 2023, our team will continue to spread awareness and education through virtual and in-person sessions that are designed to be efficient, effective, and culturally relevant.
Again, I thank you and we look forward to serving you in the new year!
Best Regards.
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 Shirley Kwan-Hui
Interim Director
On December 20, 2022, DLCP hosted its first in-person/virtual event on Street and Sidewalk Vending. The event focused on consumers and was attended by 30 people on-site and 50 virtually who were looking to learn about the licensing and compliance process for street and sidewalk vending.
A joint partnership was made with the MOCA, DDOT, DOH, and the Mayor's Offices of African, Latino, and Pacific Islander Affairs, resulting in a successful event.
 “We have a packed presentation to let you know more about not only the licensing requirements for DLCP, but also what the Department of Health is looking for, what DDOT is looking for because when it comes to licensing it’s not just about DLCP, DC Fire and EMS would also need to be involved too,” said Interim DLCP Director Shirley Kwan-Hui.
During the presentation, consumers learned about the different types of vending business licenses, vending fees, design standards, and employee requirements to operate efficiently in the District.
 “My father was a street vendor. He was an artist on the street who did rainbow calligraphy, so I wholeheartedly understand the hard work each of the vendors has to endure,” said Director Kwan-Hui.
Cultural diversity is another focal point that organizers and city leaders recognized because it shapes the District. Providing Spanish, Vietnamese, French, and Amharic language interpreters—and American Sign Language assistance provided by the Mayor's Office of Deaf, Deafblind and Hard of Hearing—helped attendees understand the vital requirements to have their business thrive in a language they could understand.
Director Jackie Reyes of the Mayor's Office of Latino Affairs emphasized the great work of DLCP during the past month and recognized the strategic efforts to coordinate and provide culturally appropriate information to District vendors.
 Currently, DLCP has set up a new working group with important stakeholders to review and prioritize a list of items to modernize and update the DC Consumer Protection Procedures Act.
 DLCP’s Interim Director Shirley Kwan-Hui and Acting Director of DC Department of Buildings (DOB) Ernest Chrappah were among several recipients awarded at Georgetown University’s Annual Holiday Open House. Georgetown University's President John J. DeGioia presented this year's awards to community leaders who value DC residents’ safety and growth.
Georgetown University continues to partner with DLCP to ensure students’ safety when living off-campus in DC housing. Part of DLCP's mission is to help businesses and consumers thrive.
With our efforts, customers continue to enjoy the more than 400 attractions for local events, shopping, and eating across the Georgetown neighborhood specifically.
Contact DLCP via email, through our online inquiry form or during normal business hours using the live chat available on dlcp.dc.gov or by phone at 202.671.4500, and we will get back to you in three business days or less.
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