District of ColumbiaB26-0147Council Period 26 (2025-2026)HouseWALLET

Streatery Program and Protest Process Amendment Act of 2025

Sponsored By: Phil Mendelson (Democratic)

Became Law

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 3 costs, 2 mixed.

New streatery licenses and alcohol rules

The law creates a streatery endorsement for on‑premises retailers and manufacturers with on‑site permits, and a streatery license for Convention and Sports Authority businesses. You apply on a common form and pay $100 to apply and $100 each year to renew. Your streatery must have a DDOT Streatery Permit and a Certificate of Use from the Department of Buildings, be in a commercial or mixed‑use zone, be clearly marked, and not share tables or chairs with another business. Beginning January 1, 2026, you cannot sell or allow alcohol in a streatery without the required endorsement or license, and the streatery rules in § 25‑113.01(c‑1) apply. If you registered under § 25‑113(a)(6) and apply by December 31, 2025, you may keep operating while the Board decides; after January 1, 2026, operating without having applied by that deadline is a violation. The Board may fine you, suspend or revoke your license, or revoke your streatery endorsement for breaking the rules. Settlement limits that restrict sidewalk cafés or summer gardens do not block streateries.

Convention Authority businesses need carry-out license

Beginning January 1, 2026, a Washington Convention and Sports Authority food and alcohol business that is not already licensed must get a carry‑out and delivery license to sell or deliver closed‑container alcohol. This applies to retailers with street frontage at Authority locations that sell food and are approved by the Authority to sell alcohol for on‑site drinking. Without that license, you may not lawfully sell or deliver closed‑container beer, wine, or spirits.

Public notice for streateries and cafes

An application for a streatery, sidewalk cafe, or summer garden endorsement or license counts as a substantial change. You must follow the public‑notice rules in sections 25‑421 and 25‑601. This adds steps and can lengthen review before approval.

Sidewalk cafes and gardens need endorsements

Manufacturers with on‑site permits and on‑premises license classes C/R, D/R, C/H, D/H, C/T, D/T, C/N, D/N, C/X, D/X, C/B, and D/B must get a sidewalk cafe or summer garden endorsement to sell or allow alcohol in those outdoor areas. Convention and Sports Authority food and alcohol businesses must also get a sidewalk cafe license to operate on public space. The Board may fine you, suspend or revoke your license, or revoke the endorsement if you break the rules.

Registration extended and 2025 fee deadlines

The law extends registration coverage through December 31, 2025 for affected establishments. Most businesses must pay the 2025 annual registration fee by April 1, 2025. On‑premises retailer classes C/T, D/T, C/N, D/N, and manufacturer class B may pay by September 30, 2025. This keeps coverage in place through 2025 but sets earlier payment dates for most licensees.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Phil Mendelson
Democratic • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 26 • No: 0

House vote • 12/16/2025

Final Reading, CC

Yes: 13 • No: 0

House vote • 12/2/2025

First Reading, CC