14 DCMR § 14-200
GENERAL LICENSING REQUIREMENTS
Operative Text
200.1 The provisions of this chapter shall be applicable to residential housing businesses (“housing businesses”) licensed under D.C. Official Code § 47-2828 (2005 Repl). 200.2 For purposes of this chapter, a housing business is any dwelling unit or rooming unit in a residential building that is offered for rent or lease. A housing business shall include the rental of a dwelling unit or rooming unit in a residential building that the licensee also occupies. A housing business shall not include any transient housing providers, such as a hotel, bed and breakfast, inn and motel, boarding house, or rooming house. 200.3 No person shall operate a housing business in any premises in the District of Columbia without first receiving a basic business license for the premises by the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (Department). 200.4 A licensee shall conspicuously post the license or a copy of the license on the premises indicated on the license, and such license shall be available for inspection by any authorized District government official or any tenant residing at the premises. 200.5 Each applicant shall, as a condition to the issuance of a license, indicate on the license application the name and contact information of a property manager or resident manager responsible for conducting maintenance and repairs on the property. 200.6 The appointment or employment of a person to conduct property maintenance and repairs shall be maintained during the period of time for which a license is issued; whenever any change is made in the appointment or employment of such person, the licensee shall deliver to the Director of the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (Director) a written notice of the change not less than five (5) days after the change. 200.7 Any person requiring a basic business license with a Housing: Residential Endorsement pursuant to D.C. Official Code § 47-2851.03(a)(6)(B) shall provide billing information for a valid credit card or bank account that may be used exclusively to bill for reinspection fees as detailed in § 207.1(b), and proactive inspection fees as detailed in § 207.1(d). The billing information that is provided for the card or account must be current and shall be updated by written notice to the Department within 30 business days if the information changes.
D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 14 § 14-200 establishes the foundational licensing framework for residential rental operations in the District of Columbia. Any dwelling unit or rooming unit offered for rent — including units in buildings where the owner also lives — must be covered by a basic business license issued by the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA), before rental activity begins. The license must be visibly posted on the premises, a responsible property manager must be identified and kept current on file, and landlords with a Housing: Residential Endorsement must maintain valid payment information on file with DCRA for inspection-related fees.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 14-200, operators of residential rental properties in D.C. are generally expected to obtain a basic business license from DCRA before renting any unit, including units in owner-occupied buildings. Compliant operators keep the license or a copy conspicuously posted on the premises, ensure a named property or resident manager is on file at all times, and notify the DCRA Director in writing within five days of any change in that manager's appointment. Those holding a Housing: Residential Endorsement under § 14-200.7 also maintain current credit card or bank account billing information with DCRA, updating it in writing within 30 business days of any change.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 14-200 gives tenants the right to inspect the posted basic business license at their rental premises, and any authorized District government official may also review it. If a license is not visibly posted or a landlord appears to be operating without one, tenants can contact the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA), which oversees licensing compliance under this provision. Tenant-rights organizations in D.C. can help residents understand what remedies or complaint processes may be available when a landlord is not meeting the requirements of § 14-200.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 14, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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