B 26-0147 Legislature · 26th Council Period (2025-2026)

Streatery Program and Protest Process Amendment Act of 2025

This bill modifies rules for outdoor dining areas ("streateries") in Washington D.C., specifically affecting businesses that serve alcohol on outdoor seating. It requires alcohol-serving businesses to obtain a 3-year endorsement from the Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Board starting in 2025, expands eligibility to include venues under the Washington Convention and Sports Authority with commercial street frontage, and mandates a 45-day public comment period for all streatery applications. Businesses operating streateries with alcohol must submit applications by December 30, 2025, to continue operations after December 31, 2025. The changes apply directly to restaurants, bars, and hospitality venues seeking to operate outdoor seating with alcohol service.

Bill status signed all 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2025

Committee Review

Nov 2025

Council Passage

Dec 2025

Signed into Law

Mar 2026

Introduced Feb 27, 2025 Signed Mar 20, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Engrossment → Enrollment · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was finalized in its enrolled version, incorporating minor formatting corrections and clarifying the scope of the 'Washington Convention and Sports Authority food and alcohol business' definition to explicitly include beverage businesses. The core policy changes remain intact, establishing new definitions for 'streateries', requiring specific endorsements and licenses for outdoor dining operations by 2026, and mandating a 45-day public comment period for new applications.

Scope change

The scope of the definition for 'Washington Convention and Sports Authority food and alcohol business' was expanded to explicitly include beverage businesses, ensuring they are covered under the new licensing requirements.

DEFINITION

The definition of 'Washington Convention and Sports Authority food and alcohol business' was updated to explicitly include businesses that sell beverages, not just food, ensuring they are subject to the new streatery licensing rules.

REQUIREMENT

New requirements were added to mandate a 45-day public comment period for applications regarding streateries, summer gardens, and sidewalk cafés, and to require notice and an opportunity to protest these applications.

New requirements were established for establishments to obtain a 'streatery endorsement' or 'streatery license' by January 1, 2026, to legally sell or serve alcohol on parking lanes or travel lanes.

TIMELINE

The timeline for fee payments was adjusted to include 2024 and through December 31, 2025, with specific due dates set for different license classes.

Floor votes · Council Dec 16, 2025

How they voted

13–0

Passed

Total votes 13

Dec 16, 2025

D Democratic11

11 Yea

100% Yea

I Independent2

2 Yea

100% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Dec 16, 2025

Council · Passed

Council Vote: pass (13-0)

council

Nov 12, 2025

Legislature · Passed

Committee Mark-up of B26-0147 by the Business and Economic Development Committee

legislature

Mar 4, 2025

Committee

Referred to Committee on Business and Economic Development with comments from the Committee on Transportation and the Environment

legislature

Feb 27, 2025

Introduced

B26-0147 Introduced by Chairman Mendelson at Office of the Secretary

legislature

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors