UNVERIFIED against a current official fee table: restaurant license fee is set by seating capacity/size; third-party/older guidance cites ~$280 (<3,000 sq ft) / ~$560 (larger), and Delicatessen tier ~$133 (0-10 seats)/$166 (11-50 seats). A Basic Business License (~$70) via DLCP is also required. Confirm current amounts with DC Health (202-442-5955).
DC Health mobile Health Certificate application $100 (+$75 HACCP review if required); pre-operational inspection reinspections $150 each. DLCP mobile-vending Basic Business License ~$550-$700 total (application ~$200 + vending endorsement ~$300); employee badges ~$50 each. Prime downtown locations allocated via the Mobile Roadway Vending (MRV) lottery (~$65/day, capped ~$450/month).
| Category | Annual fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| caterer | — | "Caterer" is a distinct DCRA/DLCP food-services BBL category (prepares/provides food for consumption off the premises where prepared). Food-services Basic Business License fee is $99 (2-year) / $198 (4-year) per DLCP; category-specific fee not separately published. |
| bakery | $99 (2-yr) / $198 (4-yr) BBL | "Bakery" listed as a DLCP food-services license category; general food-services BBL fee applies. |
| market/grocery with deli | $99 (2-yr) / $198 (4-yr) BBL | DLCP categories "Grocery Store" and "Delicatessen"; DC Health also inspects delicatessens and grocery/retail markets. |
| food processing/wholesale | $99 (2-yr) / $198 (4-yr) BBL | DLCP category "Marine Food Product (Wholesale)"; DC Health inspects wholesale markets and candy/ice-cream manufacturers. Related category "Food Products" covers prepackaged food handling. |