Small Business Resources
RESOURCES FOR SMALL BUSINESSES
The following resources were last updated on December 19, 2025. Please check back regularly for new additions and updates.
Security Camera Requirements and Responsibilities
Maintaining your security cameras is not just about following the rules—it is crucial for public safety, helping law enforcement solve crimes, and protecting your business and patrons.
Licensees with security cameras must ensure the following requirements are consistently met:
- Operational Status: Cameras must be fully operational and actively recording whenever the establishment is open to the public.
- Footage Retention: Establishments are required to maintain video footage of violent crimes, including those involving a gun, for a minimum of 30 days.
- Footage Availability: Upon request by ABCA or the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), licensees must make relevant video footage available within 48 hours.
- Operational Standards: The security camera system must comply with all established operational standards.
- Reporting Non-operational Cameras: If a security camera becomes non-operational, the ABC Board must be notified within ten (10) calendar days, and proof of repair or replacement must be provided. Report non-operational cameras to ABCA.Enforcement@dc.gov.
Failure to comply with these requirements can result in significant penalties. Licensees are encouraged to review the official ABC Laws and Regulations on the ABCA website to ensure full compliance and avoid these penalties.
Direct questions to ABCA.Legal@dc.gov
DCSmallBizHelp is the one-stop hub for Washington, D.C. small business and entrepreneurs looking for valuable resources, support organizations, lenders, events and trainings.
DCSmallBizHelp is the one-stop hub for Washington, D.C. small business and entrepreneurs looking for valuable resources, support organizations, lenders, events and trainings.
The BRC at Dept Of License and Consumer Protection is your go-to destination for expert guidance, hands-on support, and practical resources to help you start and grow your business in Washington, DC.
Report Suspected Fraud – If you think you’ve been scammed, report it to:
DISB Enforcement and Consumer Protection Division: 202.727.8000
FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center: 202.278.2000
Federal Trade Commission: ReportFraud@ftc.gov
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SMALL BUSINESS RESOURCES IN WASHINGTON, DC
D.C. DEPARTMENT OF SMALL AND LOCAL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
The District’s Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD) provides a range of services to meet the needs of District-based small businesses. These services are available to both start-up and existing businesses. Services include one-on-one counseling, workshops, and seminars for both entrepreneurs and small business owners. For more information on DSLBD’s programs, please contact us at (202)727-3900.
U.S. SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is an independent agency of the federal government and was created to aid, counsel, assist, and protect the interests of small business concerns, to preserve free competitive enterprise, and to maintain and strengthen the overall economy of our nation. The SBA helps Americans start, build, and grow businesses. Through an extensive network of field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations, SBA delivers its services to people throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, the U. S. Virgin Islands, and Guam.
UDC SCHOOL OF BUSINESS AND PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION
UDC’s School of Business and Public Administration is dedicated to supporting its students in the pursuit of excellence. Working professionals enjoy the support of an institution that is small enough to attend to their personal needs and achievements, but is large enough to take full advantage of the opportunities afforded by the University’s unique position in the nation’s capital. The school encourages its students and faculty to apply their skills and knowledge to the urban challenges specific to the district and to envision how solutions devised can be applied elsewhere. In line with its mission to offer high-quality opportunities for learning and engagement, the Business Management and Accounting Programs are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).