North Shaw Moratorium Zone

The North Shaw Moratorium Zone (NSMZ) has been in effect since 2024.

The moratorium:

Prohibits the issuance of Retailer’s Class CN and DN (nightclub) licenses, Class CT and DT (tavern) licenses, Class CX and DX (multipurpose facility) licenses.
Prohibits new entertainment endorsements for any on-premises licensed restaurant or tavern to offer entertainment, a cover charge, or facilities for dancing.
Prohibits modifications to existing entertainment endorsements for any on-premises licensed restaurant or tavern to add entertainment, a cover charge, or facilities for dancing.
Prohibits a licensed nightclub, multipurpose facility, or restaurant or tavern with an entertainment endorsement from transferring from a location outside of the moratorium zone to a location inside of the moratorium zone.
Prohibits the ABC Board from granting, within the moratorium zone, a change of license class application for a Class CN, DN, CT, DT, CX (multipurpose facility), or DX (multipurpose facility) retailer’s license.

Additional details can be found in the current rulemaking.

The North Shaw Moratorium Zone is specifically described as:

Bounded by a line extending approximately six hundred feet (600 ft.) in all directions from 1909 9th Street, NW, which is the location of Noah Noal DC, LLC, t/a Sound Bar, holder of a Retailer’s Class CT license (ABRA License No. 122864).
Beginning at the intersection of the centerlines of Vermont Avenue, NW, and T Street, NW, and continuing northeast along the centerline of Vermont Avenue, N.W, until the intersection of Vermont Avenue, NW, and Florida Avenue, NW.
Southeast along the center line of Florida Avenue, NW, to the intersection of Florida Avenue, NW, 9th Street, NW, and V Street, NW.
East along the center line of V Street NW, to the intersection of V Street NW, and 7th Street NW.
South on 7th Street, NW, until the intersection of 7th Street, NW, and S Street, NW, and containing the premises on both sides of 7th Street, NW.
West along the center line of S Street NW, to the intersection of S Street, NW, and 11th Street, NW.
North along the center line of 11th Street, NW, until the intersection of 11th Street, NW, and Vermont Avenue, NW.

Hotel licenses (CH/DH)
Any license or endorsement application that was pending on the effective date of the original rulemaking.

The North Shaw Moratorium Zone Notice of fifth rulemaking was approved on January 16, 2026, and will expire in 2029.

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