August 7, 2002
Grace Period Extended to Obtain Master Business License
(Washington, DC) The DC Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA) announced today that the grace period to obtain a Master Business License (MBL) has been extended until December 31, 2002 for businesses located in the District's commercial zones and for those who conduct business within the District but whose offices are located outside of the city. Businesses that required a license prior to this new law do not have a grace period and must already have a valid license.
Home-based businesses within residential zones of the District have until February 28, 2003 to obtain the MBL. The law requires that all of these businesses obtain a Home Occupation Permit, prior to applying for the MBL. A new, shorter application form for clerical and administrative home-based occupations is now available. This form, certified by the applicant, will eliminate the time-consuming review process and follow-up site inspections.
"We're hearing from small, home-based business owners who are not familiar with the regulatory system. They need an easier process and we've already taken steps to make their DCRA experience as simple as possible," said DCRA Director David A. Clark.
The MBL is a new license program that is required under the Omnibus Regulatory Reform Act legislation passed by the DC City Council in 1998. DCRA began implementation of the new program in August 2001. The law establishes that all segments of the business population -- for-profit and nonprofit -- obtain a MBL if the business generates $2,000 or more in gross receipts. The law puts no limits on age or business activity type.
Prior to the MBL, many businesses including attorneys, contractors, and consultants were not required to have a license. "One of the intentions of the master business license is to make business licensing equitable. It (MBL) helps to ensure that any entity engaging in commerce in the District has a business license," Mr. Clark added.
In addition, the MBL consolidates all other licenses that are currently required for a business. This license eliminates the use of multiple registration numbers; it establishes one renewal date for all business licenses, along with the requirement that all businesses obtain some form of business license.
Since initiating the MBL program in the summer of 2001, over 34,000 businesses have applied for and received a proper license. DCRA has issued over 17,000 since February 2002. For information on the MBL or where to obtain forms visit the Master Business License section of this website, call (202) 442-4311, or email mbl.infocenter@dc.gov.
Failure to obtain the MBL could result in a $500 fine.
