Washington DC LLC Cost

The minimum Washington D.C. LLC Cost is $235, which covers the cost of processing your LLC formation document (known as the Articles of Organization) and obtaining a Home Occupation Permit and General Business License from the D.C. Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP).

However, the total cost of forming a Washington DC LLC can vary depending on your personal preferences and business needs.

In our Washington DC Cost article, we break down all the costs associated with launching and maintaining an LLC in the District of Columbia.

More than 84% of our readers form their LLC through a professional service to save time and avoid mistakes.

Northwest ($29 + State Fees)

How Much Does a Washington DC LLC Cost

Below is a summary of the primary requirements and associated fees for forming a Washington D.C. LLC.

	LLC Cost Summary
Requirement	Fee
Articles of Organization	$99-$220+
Registered Agent	$0-$130+
LLC Name	$0-$105
D.C. Zoning Permit	$36.30-$471+
D.C. District Business License	$99-$3,107.50

Washington D.C. LLC Filing Fee ($99-$220+)

When forming an LLC in Washington D.C., you will need to file specific formation documents with the D.C. Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP). 

For most business owners forming a domestic LLC, this involves submitting the Articles of Organization and paying a $99 filing fee. If you’re forming a foreign LLC (i.e., if you’ll be based outside of Washington DC), you’ll need to submit a Foreign Registration Statement instead, which costs $220.

If you choose to use an LLC formation service, your total cost will be a bit higher as it will include a service fee on top of the state filing fee.

Typical LLC formation services range from as low as $29, with costs increasing if you purchase additional services.

Have a look at our in-depth review of the best and most affordable LLC Formation Services in 2024. 

Washington D.C. Registered Agent ($0-$130+)

When filling out your Washington D.C. LLC formation documents, you’ll need to appoint a registered agent. This person or entity in Washington D.C. will accept legal documents, tax notifications, and government correspondence on behalf of your LLC.

You can act as your own registered agent at no cost, but hiring a professional service is often recommended to avoid penalties and keep your personal information off public records.

A typical Washington D.C. registered agent service costs around $130 per year, but this can be significantly higher depending on the provider you choose. 

Washington D.C. LLC Name ($0-$105)

While the process of naming your LLC doesn’t incur a direct cost, there are two potential expenses to be aware of.

Reserving a Name

If you’re not ready to form your LLC but want to secure a name, you can reserve it by filing an Application for Name Reservation with the D.C. Government Corporations Division. 

This application can be submitted online through the DLCP’s CorpOnline system or by mail, costs $50, and reserves a name for 60 days. 

Before reserving a name, you should confirm its availability by using the Business Entity Search tool on the D.C. CorpOnline system.

You should also check that its corresponding domain is available, as you’ll need this for your future website. 

Doing Business As (DBA) Name

If you plan to operate under a different name than your LLC’s registered name, you’ll need a DBA name, which is known as a Trade Name in Washington D.C. 

To register a trade name, you’ll need to file a TN-1 Trade Name Registration form with the Corporations Division, which costs $55. You must renew this name biennially and can face penalties if you miss the renewal deadline.

Note: False statements on the Trade Name Registration Form can result in fines of up to $1,000 and/or criminal charges.

Washington D.C. Zoning Permit ($36.30-$471+)

Your Washington D.C. LLC will likely need a zoning permit depending on where it operates. The costs for these permits vary based on your business type, as well as on its size. 

There are two main types of zoning permits your business could need, depending on where it plans to operate:

• Home Occupation Permit: For LLCs planning to operate out of a home
• Certificate of Occupancy: For LLCs planning to conduct business out of an office

We’ve broken down the costs of these two zoning permits in the table below.

	Zoning Permit Fees
Zoning Permit Type	Fee Description	Total
Home Occupation Permit	Filing Fee	$33
	Permit Issuance Fee	$33
Certificate of Occupancy	Copy	$7 for standard copy
		$20 for certified copy/affidavit
	5,000 square feet or less	$42 + $33 filing fee
	Between 5,001 and 50,000 sq. ft.	$42 + $0.004/sq. ft. + $33 filing fee
	Between 50,001 and 100,000 sq. ft.	$276 + $0.003/sq. ft. + $33 filing fee
	100,001 sq. ft. or more	$471 + $0.0013/sq. ft. + $33 filing fee

Note: The D.C. Department of Buildings (DOB) applies a 10% “enhanced fee” to all zoning permit totals. So with this addition applied, the filing fee for a Home Occupation Permit would be $36.30.

Washington D.C. District Business License ($99-$3,107.50)

To operate legally in Washington D.C., your LLC must obtain a Basic Business License from the DLCP. This license can be applied for through the My D.C. Business Center and costs between $99 and $3,107.50, depending on your business activities.

If your business doesn’t fall under any of the specific categories that are regulated by the DLCP, you’ll need a General Business License, which costs $99.

Keep in mind that your license will need to be renewed every two or four years. 

For more information, you can have a look at the state’s Basic Business License Directory, which includes a full list of business activities and license fees.

Optional Washington D.C. LLC Formation Costs

Beyond the standard filing costs, there are a few additional expenses that you might incur when forming an LLC depending on your unique needs and circumstances.

Expedited Washington D.C. LLC Filing

The DLCP typically processes LLC filings within 15 days, but expedited services are available:

• Three-Day Processing: $50
• Same-Day Processing: $100

The DLCP recommends making expedited service requests online through its CorpOnline system as this service isn’t offered for all filings done via mail. 

Having said that, you should note that in-person submissions come with same-day expedited processing and cost an additional $100. 

Certificate of Good Standing

A Certificate of Good Standing is often necessary for opening business bank accounts or securing loans.

It can be obtained for $50 from the DLCP via the CorpOnline platform or in person at the Business License Center at the following address:

Business Licensing Center

2nd Floor

1100 4th Street SW

Washington, DC 20024

Certified Copies of Business Documents

If you need certified copies of your LLC’s documents, they can be requested from the DLCP for $50 per request. 

Requests can be made online or in person, as mail-in orders are not permitted.

Washington D.C. LLC Operating Agreement

While not mandatory, having an operating agreement for your LLC is highly recommended. This document outlines the roles and responsibilities of LLC members or managers and can prevent future disputes.

You can create an operating agreement yourself at no cost or hire a service or attorney, which typically costs several hundred dollars. This document is internal and doesn’t need to be filed with the state.

Ongoing Costs to Maintain a Washington D.C. LLC

In addition to the initial costs of forming an LLC, there are ongoing expenses that you must account for in order to maintain your business.

These include:

Biennial Report

Washington D.C. LLCs must file a biennial report (i.e., every two years) online or by mail with the DLCP and pay a $300 fee by April 1.

It’s important to note that your LLC’s first report will be due on April 1 the year immediately after your LLC was formed. 

Failure to file on time incurs a $100 late fee.

Registered Agent Maintenance

If you choose to use a professional registered agent to handle your legal documents, you’ll need to pay an annual fee for their services. 

The cost of this service varies, typically ranging from $125 to $300 per year, depending on the provider and the features you select. While not mandatory, using a professional registered agent service is often recommended for small business owners as it offers increased privacy and flexibility. 

Ready to Get Started?

Have a look at our LLC Washington DC Guide (DIY Approach)

Let Northwest Registered Agent handle it for you ($29 + State Fees) 

Washington DC LLC vs Other States

Washington D.C. has one of the highest startup and maintenance costs for LLCs. 

With a minimum startup cost of $235 and a recurring fee of $300 every other year, it’s more expensive than states like Texas, which has no ongoing fees after the initial $300 formation cost.

It also has state zoning and business license-related fees, bringing the total cost of formation even higher. 

Regardless, it’s important to note that the best state to form your LLC in is — generally speaking — where you will be operating from. 

This is because this will ensure that you do not need to pay registration and maintenance fees in more than one state, as you will only have to adhere to one state’s regulations.