D.C. Code tit. 30, ch. 2 § 30-201.04
Short-term rental license endorsement issuance.
Operative Text
(a) The Department shall not issue a short-term rental license endorsement to any person or entity other than to a host. (b) The license endorsement shall be applicable to the property on which the short-term rental is located. The presence of more than one short-term rental at the host's property shall not require separate license endorsements. (c) The Department shall not issue more than one short-term rental license endorsement to a host. (d) The Department shall not issue a short-term rental license endorsement to a host if prohibited by Title 11 of the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations. (e) An inspection of the premises by the Department shall not be a prerequisite for issuance of a short-term rental license endorsement. (f) A short-term rental license endorsement shall be valid for a period of 2 years from the date of issuance. Renewal license endorsements shall be issued in the same manner as initial license endorsements.
Under D.C. Code § 30-201.04, the District's licensing Department may only issue a short-term rental license endorsement to a qualifying 'host' — not to any other person or entity. Each host is limited to a single endorsement, which is tied to the host's property rather than to individual rental units, meaning multiple short-term rentals at one property do not require separate endorsements. The endorsement remains valid for two years from issuance, and renewals follow the same process as initial applications; notably, a physical inspection of the premises is not required before the endorsement is granted.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating short-term rentals in the District should be aware that, under D.C. Code § 30-201.04, only a qualifying host may hold a license endorsement, and only one endorsement is issued per host regardless of how many short-term rental units exist at the property. Compliant operators typically ensure their endorsement is current, renewing every two years through the same process used for the initial application. Operators should also confirm that their property and intended use are not prohibited under Title 11 of the D.C. Municipal Regulations, as such a prohibition would bar the Department from issuing the endorsement.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Tenants and guests using short-term rentals in the District can look to D.C. Code § 30-201.04 to understand the basic licensing framework that governs these arrangements. The provision establishes that only a verified host — not a subletter or other third party — may hold a valid license endorsement, which could be relevant if questions arise about whether a rental is operating lawfully. Those with concerns about an unlicensed or improperly endorsed short-term rental may consider contacting the relevant District licensing authority or reaching out to a local tenant-rights organization for general information about available options.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 14, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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