(Washington, DC) – The DC Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA) today mailed more than 7,000 letters to District businesses whose basic business license has expired and warns of significant penalties – including fines and closure – if they do not immediately come into compliance.

The action comes after an internal DCRA audit discovered a significant spike in the number of businesses who have allowed their licenses to expire over the past three months. The District has nearly 40,000 businesses that are required to obtain a basic business license – which remain valid for a two-year period and must be posted.

“The District’s Basic Business License is integral to our efforts to ensure residents and visitors in the District of Columbia that businesses are operating legally,” said DCRA Director Linda K. Argo. “We want to be clear that if you do not have a valid business license, you are an illegal business.”

Businesses with expired licenses will have until June 27, 2008 to reapply for their basic business license before further action is taken. Detailed information on application procedures, fees and documents are available on the DCRA website at dcra.dc.gov.

DCRA will begin to conduct investigations immediately following the June 27, 2008 deadline and businesses could be subject to thousands of dollars in penalties and face closure if they do not comply.

The Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs protects the health, safety, economic interests, and quality of life of residents, businesses, and visitors in the District of Columbia by issuing licenses and permits, conducting inspections, enforcing building, housing, and safety codes, regulating land use and development, and providing consumer education and advocacy services.