How much permits cost to open in Washington, DC
In Washington, DC, the filings with a fixed government fee add up to about $99. 8 more are set by the space or the business, and 6 are free. Build-out, insurance and adviser costs are on top.
Application for Employer Identification Number (EIN)
Internal Revenue ServiceUS federal
Owners with an SSN or ITIN apply online. A company whose responsible party has neither (most China-based owners) faxes or mails Form SS-4, or calls the IRS international line.
- Fee
- Free
- Filed
- Paper form, faxed or mailed
- Takes
- Fax: about 4 business days. Mail: about 4 to 5 weeks. Phone: issued on the call.
DC tax registration
DC Office of Tax and RevenueWashington, DC
Register with the Office of Tax and Revenue on the FR-500. Every basic business license applicant must be registered and in good standing, and the license application checks the tax number for Clean Hands.
- Fee
- Varies
- Filed
- Filed online
- Takes
- The Office of Tax and Revenue may take up to 10 business days to process a new registration.
Corporate registration and basic business license
DC Department of Licensing and Consumer ProtectionWashington, DC
Register the company, then get the basic business license for the activity.
- Fee
- Varies
- Filed
- Filed online
- Takes
- DLCP doesn't publish how long a Basic Business License takes; you need a processed FR-500 tax registration and a Clean Hands check before you can apply.
Create/Update Importer Identity Form
U.S. Customs and Border ProtectionUS federal
Sent to CBP (usually through your customs broker), or created in the ACE portal. Needed before your first entry as importer of record.
- Fee
- Free
- Filed
- Paper form, mailed
- Takes
- Up to 5 business days.
Customs Bond
U.S. Customs and Border ProtectionUS federal
Bought from a CBP-approved surety, usually through your customs broker, who files it electronically. A continuous bond covers a year of entries.
- Fee
- Varies
- Filed
- Filed on the agency's portal
- Takes
- At least 5 business days for review.
- Renews
- Continuous bonds renew yearly.
DC certified food protection manager card
DC HealthWashington, DC
A manager who passed a nationally recognized food safety exam applies for DC Health's ID card with a copy of the certificate, in person at 899 North Capitol Street NE or by mail. DLCP asks for the DC Health food manager's certificate with the food license, and a certified manager has to be on duty whenever the place is open.
- Fee
- Varies
- Filed
- Paper form, mailed
- Renews
- Valid 3 years from the exam date.
ACE Secure Data Portal account for importers
U.S. Customs and Border ProtectionUS federal
Applied for online in ACE. Lets you see your entries, duties and bond.
- Fee
- Free
- Filed
- Filed online
Cosmetic product facility registration (MoCRA)
U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationUS federal
Filed online in Cosmetics Direct by the facility that makes or processes the cosmetics.
- Fee
- Free
- Filed
- Filed online
- Renews
- Every two years.
Cosmetic product listing (MoCRA)
U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationUS federal
Filed online in Cosmetics Direct by the brand (the responsible person on the label), one listing per product.
- Fee
- Free
- Filed
- Filed online
- Renews
- Update every year.
Product safety certificate, filed electronically at entry
U.S. Consumer Product Safety CommissionUS federal
The importer issues the certificate itself (there is no government form) and, under the eFiling rule, files the certificate data with CBP at entry.
- Fee
- Free
- Filed
- Filed online
Hazardous materials registration
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (DOT)US federal
Filed online when you ship or offer certain hazardous materials in bulk, such as large lithium battery shipments.
- Fee
- Varies
- Filed
- Filed online
- Renews
- Every year by June 30.
Unemployment insurance employer registration
DC Department of Employment Services, UI Tax DivisionWashington, DC
Any business with employees working in DC registers online in the Employer Self-Service Portal, which also takes the wage reports and tax payments.
- Fee
- Varies
- Filed
- Filed online
Food establishment plan review
DC Health, Food Safety and Hygiene Inspection Services DivisionWashington, DC
Needed before building, converting or remodeling a food establishment, or changing its type of food operation. Plans, specifications and the menu go to DC Health through ProjectDox with the building permit application.
- Fee
- Varies
- Filed
- Filed on the agency's portal
Certificate of Occupancy
DC Department of BuildingsWashington, DC
Needed when a new owner or tenant takes over a space, even with the same use, and when the space is used for something new; a new use also needs building permits and final inspections. Applied for online in Certifi.
- Fee
- Varies
- Filed
- Filed on the agency's portal
Food services business license
DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection, with DC HealthWashington, DC
The basic business license for restaurants, delis, caterers and other food businesses. Apply online in BOSS with the Certificate of Occupancy, the DC Health food manager's certificate, the approved DC Health inspection report, tax registration and Clean Hands, and corporate registration if you have one; pick only the category the business was approved for.
- Fee
- $99
- Filed
- Filed online
- Takes
- DLCP doesn't publish a processing time; apply once DC Health has approved the inspection.
- Renews
- Every 2 or 4 years, as chosen.
Guides for each business in Washington, DC
Agency requirements change. Check each agency's page before you file.
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Get the plan for your business in Washington, DC
This guide covers the city. Your exact address decides the county, the health district and the zoning. Placetta maps every filing for it, fills the official forms from your details, adds the deadlines and puts them up for your approval.
- The full list for your address, in filing order
- The official forms, filled line by line
- Renewal and inspection reminders