Background

The Adams Morgan Moratorium Zone (AMMZ) has been in effect, with some modifications, since 2000.

The moratorium: 

• Increases the cap on the number of Retailer Class CT or DT (tavern) licenses to 16
• Maintains the moratorium on Retailer Class CN or DN (nightclub) licenses

Boundaries

The Adams Morgan Moratorium Zone is specifically described as beginning at 18th Street and Vernon Street, NW; and proceeding on both sides of all streets, unless otherwise noted:

• West on Vernon Street to 19th Street
• Northwest on 19th Street to Wyoming Avenue
• Southwest on Wyoming Avenue to 20th Street
• Northwest on 20th Street to Belmont Road
• West on Belmont Road to Waterside Drive
• North on Waterside Drive to Allen Place
• East on Allen Place to 20th Street
• North on 20th Street to Biltmore Street
• North on Biltmore Street to Calvert Street
• East on Calvert Street to Lanier Place
• Northeast on Lanier Place to Adams Mill Road
• Northwest on Adams Mill Road, and then Northeast to Ontario Road; East on Ontario Road to Lanier Place
• Northeast on Lanier Place to Quarry Road
• Southeast on Quarry Road to Columbia Road
• Northeast on Columbia Road to Mozart Place
• South on Mozart Place to Euclid Street
• East on Euclid Street to 16th Street
• South on the West side of 16th Street to Florida Avenue
• Southwest on Florida Avenue to U Street
• West on U Street to 18th Street, Washington, D.C.

Exemptions

• Restaurant license (CR/DR)
• Hotel licenses (CH/DH)
• Off-Premises Retailer licenses (A/B)

Status

The ABC Board voted to adopt the Adams Morgan Moratorium Zone Notice of Final Rulemaking on February 26, 2025.