One of the first concerns when starting a business is deciding where to locate your business. Your business location can determine whether or how much you can take advantage of the government incentive programs (see our section on Financial Incentives), how accessible you are to your target market, what type of occupancy permit you will need and more. You will be required to have a location and submit a Certificate of Occupancy or Home Occupation Permit when applying for your business license.
Site Considerations
When choosing a location for your business, there are a number of important factors to consider:
- Will the location be accessible to your potential clients? Is there parking nearby? Is there a significant amount of foot traffic passing by your business? Are you near a Metro station, bus stop or major intersection?
- Is the space zoned for your type of business (i.e., industrial, residential, commercial or mixed-use)? Will you have loading bays? Elevators?
- Is the price right? What other amenities are included? Will you have to build to suit or will the landlord outfit the space or provide funds for tenant improvements?
- Do you want to operate your business from home? If so, will the savings associated with running a home-based business allow you more money for your business? Will you be able to reach your clients and customers? Will you be able to run your type of business from home?
If you operate your business from a residential property, you will need to obtain a Home Occupation Permit. There are also restrictions on the number of employees you can have in a home-based business and how many deliveries or customers can come to your home each day. Home Occupation Permits are described in more detail in our Registration & Licensing section, or your can obtain more information from the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs web site.
If you plan to operate your business in a commercially leased property, you may contact one of the following organizations to identify resources that best fit your needs.
Assistance for Choosing a Location
Greater Washington Commercial Association of Realtors
The Greater Washington Commercial Association of Realtors (GWCAR) can provide you with a listing of real estate brokers in the region. GWAR can be contacted at (301) 590-2000.
DC Building Industry Association
The DC Building Industry Association (DCBIA) can refer you to their member brokers depending on your needs. DCBIA can be contacted at (202) 966-8665.
Washington, DC Economic Partnership
The Washington, DC Economic Partnership can provide you with broker contacts, information on vacancy rates, asking rents and available space in certain neighborhoods. You can contact us at (202) 661-8670. If you are looking for retail space you can search our on-line database.
Community Development Corporations
Community Development Corporations (CDC) in the neighborhood of your choice can assist you with information on neighborhood properties. A list of CDCs is available at www.brc.dc.gov under "Community Development."
Brokerage Firms and Real Estate Service Companies
You may directly contact a commercial real estate broker representing tenants for your search space. Examples:
| (202) 729-1700 |
| | (202) 730-7000 |
TIP
Visit the DC Economic Development Map at www.dcbiz.dc.gov to find out where the Enterprise Zones and Tech Zones are located in DC, so you may take advantage of the related financial incentives by locating your business in one of the zones.
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