District of Columbia

DC Basic Business Licenses

In order to operate legally in District of Columbia, most businesses must get a Basic Business License (BBL) from the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP). The Basic Business License (BBL) Program streamlines District of Columbia business licensing procedures.

Example records
Namelegal entityAlternate Namelegal entityCityaddressStateaddressZIP CodeaddressStreet Addressoperating locationFull AddressaddressPhonephone numberObjectididentifierBilling AddressaddressAgent Entitylegal entityAgent Middle Nameperson
MCDONALD'S CORPORATIONMCDONALD'S CORPORATIONWASHINGTONDC200115948 GEORGIA AVE NW 7600 WISCONSIN AVE BETHESDA MD 20785 2027370119386030582Suit/Unit# 8TH FLOORN/A
HAN ENTERPRISES INCHAN ENTERPRISES INCWASHINGTONDC200116205 GEORGIA AVE NW 6205 GEORGIA AVE NW WASHINGTON DC 20011 2027504350386030585
TM WashingtonTM WashingtonWASHINGTONDC200116239 GEORGIA AVE NW 1600 Spring Hill Roa Vienna VA 22182 386030584suite 100Louis ONeill
Use cases

Vendor License Verification During Onboarding

A procurement team onboarding a DC-based supplier checks whether the vendor holds a current, non-expired business license in the correct category before approving payment terms, flagging any entity whose license has lapsed or was abandoned.

NameLicensestatusLicensecategoryLicense End DateStreet Address

Detecting Ghost Businesses in Loan Applications

A fintech lender reviewing a small business loan application cross-references the applicant's claimed operating address and business name against DC licensing records to confirm the entity has a verifiable physical presence and an active license, not just a registered mailing address.

NameStreet AddressDc Address FlagLicensestatusLicense Start Date

Market Entry Sizing for a B2B Sales Team

A sales team targeting food service operators in DC uses license category and neighborhood geography to count active establishments by ward or ZIP code, prioritizing outreach to locations with recently issued licenses that signal new ownership or expansion.

LicensecategoryLicense Category TextLicensestatusLicense Issue DateWard
Related datasets
Basic Business Licenses (Recent)Corporate RegistrationDistrict of ColumbiaCertified Business EnterpriseDistrict of ColumbiaDC Alcohol License Business LocationsDistrict of ColumbiaDMV Business InformationDistrict of ColumbiaWashington DC Beneficial Ownership RecordsDC Procurement ContractsDistrict of ColumbiaDC Check Cashing LocationsDistrict of ColumbiaBusiness Improvement DistrictsDistrict of ColumbiaChicago Business LicensesCity of ChicagoDC Alcohol License CancellationsDistrict of ColumbiaDC Annual Public Space Rental PermitsTax Exempt PropertiesDistrict of ColumbiaTransportation Industry Business LicensesState of WashingtonCertificate of OccupancyDistrict of ColumbiaCampaign Financial ExpendituresDistrict of ColumbiaLicensed Medical Cannabis Facilities Non-RetailerDistrict of ColumbiaIssued LicensesCity of New YorkLicense ApplicationsCity of New YorkConstruction PermitsDistrict of Columbia