 Spring License Renewal, Annual Payment | March 31
The deadline for Restaurant, Hotel, Caterer, Common Carrier, Club, and Multipurpose Facility license holders to submit their alcohol license renewal application, and for Class A Manufacturer, Wholesaler, Off-Premises Retailer, and Internet Retailer license holders to pay their annual license fee is 4:00 p.m. on Monday, March 31, 2025.
This year, ABCA emailed renewal and statement notices to licensees in mid-February. Previously, ABCA sent notices to licensees by postal mail.
If you have not received your notice, check the email account on file with ABCA, including any spam folders. If no notice can be located, contact ABCA’s Alcohol Licensing Division at ABCA.AlcoholLicensing@dc.gov.
Renewing licensees are strongly encouraged to start gathering required documents early, including Clean Hands certifications issued by the DC Office of Tax & Revenue, to avoid potential delays. Late submission or payment by any amount of time will result in a per business day late fee of $50, not exceeding the annual license fee.
The Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Board will issue Cease and Desist Orders and Cancellation Orders on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, and Wednesday, May 7, 2025, respectively.
Eligible On-Premises Retailer, Manufacturer with an On-Site Sales and Consumption Permit, and Temporary License holders may register to participate in the Extended Holiday Hours Program.
Approved participants can sell, serve, and permit the consumption of alcohol between 6:00 a.m.- 4:00 a.m. and operate 24 hours daily. The next eligible holidays and registration deadlines are:
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DC Emancipation Day Weekend | Deadline: Monday, March 17
Extended hours start the evening of Tuesday, April 15 and end at 4:00 a.m. on Wednesday, April 16. Extended hours resume the evening of Friday, April 18 and end at 4:00 a.m. on Sunday, April 20.
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Memorial Day Weekend | Deadline: Monday, April 28
Extended hours start the evening of Friday, May 23 and end at 4:00 a.m. on Monday, May 26.
 Compliance Deadlines
Select licensees are required to submit regular product sales and/or production reports. Compliance filings must be submitted online by 11:59 p.m. on the deadline date. Late and non-filers may be subject to late fees and/or license suspension.
Annual Reports
Annual reports for Full-Service Grocery Store (Class B), 25 Percent Grocery Store (Class A), and 25 Percent Retailer (Class B) license holders were due Monday, March 3.
Quarterly Statements
First quarter statements covering the period of January 1 - March 31, 2025, for Hotel, Restaurant, and Brew Pub license holders are due by Wednesday, April 30.
Direct questions to ABCA.Compliance@dc.gov.
On Premises and On-Site Extended Hours Program Amendment Act of 2025
On March 4, 2025, the Council passed at first reading The On-Premises and On-Site Extended Hours Program Amendment Act of 2025. The Bill, if enacted, would grant the ABC Board more authority to extend the hours of operation, sales, service, and consumption of alcoholic beverages for tourism, sporting, and cultural events as defined below:
- Tourism event - A major festival, convention, or trade show, with the potential to attract visitors from outside a 50-mile radius of DC likely to produce a significant positive financial impact.
- Sporting event - A professional or amateur event involving a game or athletic competition that occurs either once annually or every four years that is organized by a league or association.
- Cultural event - An event or gathering highlighting the customs, arts, music, dances, or cuisines of various cultures through performances and displays of artistic expression.
ABCA will provide an update on this legislation as it moves through the legislative process.
Learn more about the Act.
Moratorium Zone Update
A moratorium zone is a defined area where the ABC Board has limited alcohol licenses and sales. The ABC Board recently acted on three of DC’s four moratorium zones including the Adams Morgan, Langdon Park, and North Shaw Moratorium Zones.
Adams Morgan
Final rules were adopted on February 26, 2025, and are now in effect. The rules:
- Increase the cap on the number of Retailer Class CT or DT (Tavern) licenses permitted from ten (10) to sixteen (16).
- Maintain the moratorium on Retailer Class CN or DN (Nightclub) licenses.
- Renew the moratorium for three (3) years.
Langdon Park
The Gateway-Langdon Park Moratorium Zone Notice of Second Rulemaking was adopted on February 5, 2025, and will expire expires on June 5, 2025, unless earlier amended or superseded by a final rulemaking. The rulemaking defines the moratorium zone area as six hundred (600) feet in all directions from Echostage, located at 2135 Queens Chapel Road, N.E., making it easier to determine whether a proposed or existing business falls within the moratorium zone.
North Shaw
The North Shaw Moratorium Zone Notice of Third Rulemaking was adopted on February 5, 2025, and will expire on June 5, 2025, unless earlier amended or superseded by a final rulemaking. The rules prohibit the following for three years:
- Issuance of new Retailer’s Class CN and DN (Nightclub), Class CT and DT (Tavern), and Class CX and DX (Multipurpose Facility) licenses.
- Issuance or modification of new entertainment endorsements
- Approval of alcohol license transfers to within the moratorium zone if they include an entertainment endorsement.
 Outdoor Endorsements
As the temperature warms, patrons will start seeking out outdoor dining and drinking options. Before offering such programming or services, venues must secure the required alcohol license endorsement. Failure to do so may result in fines and/or license suspension or revocation.
Outdoor related endorsements include:
- A Streatery Endorsement allows establishments to sell and serve alcohol on new and expanded ground floor or street level outdoor public or private space not listed on its existing alcohol license.
- A Sidewalk Café Endorsement permits alcohol to be served in outdoor public space such as the sidewalk outside a licensed establishment.
- A Summer Garden Endorsement permits alcohol to be served in outdoor private space such as a courtyard or rooftop.
- An Entertainment Endorsement allows establishments to offer live entertainment such as a musician, band, drag show, trivia, karaoke, or poetry reading; charge cover fees; and dancing.
More information about endorsements are available on ABCA's website or contact ABCA.AlcoholLicensing@dc.gov for questions.
 Training and Info Sessions
ABCA offers training and information sessions throughout the year. Offerings are virtual and free with advanced registration.
ID Compliance | Monday, May 12 | 10:00 - 11:30 a.m. | REGISTER
This course focuses on the prevention of underage drinking by reducing youth access to alcohol through retailer education. Participants will learn how to identify acceptable and counterfeit photo identification, confiscation protocol, and the Sale to Minor program.
Funded by US DOT/NHTSA and DC HSO.
Orientation for ANC Commissioners
In February 2025, ABCA held a series of information sessions for ANC Commissioners. The virtual orientation included nearly 100 participants from all eight wards.
While the training has concluded for the year, the presentation slide deck, a video recording and additional information are available on ABCA's website.
View ABCA's complete training schedule and available recordings.
 Emancipation Day Office Closure, Board Recess
ABCA's office will be closed, and the ABC Board will be in recess on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, in observance of DC Emancipation Day.
ABCA’s office will again welcome customers on Thursday, April 17 at 8:30 a.m. and the ABC Board will resume public hearings on Wednesday, April 23.
View the 2025 ABCA Office Calendar and ABC Board schedule.
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