Background
The Adams Morgan Moratorium Zone (AMMZ) has been in effect, with certain modifications, since 2000.
The current rulemaking:
- Renews the Adams Morgan Moratorium for three years
- Increases the cap on the number of CT, DT, CX, and DX retailer licenses to 16
- Maintains the moratorium on Retailer Class CN or DN (nightclub) licenses
Boundaries
The Adams Morgan Moratorium Zone is more 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
The AMMZ exempts:
- Restaurant CR/DR licenses
- Hotels CH/DH licenses
- Off-Premises Retailer A/B licenses
Status
The ABC Board approved the Adams Morgan Moratorium Zone Notice of Eighth Rulemaking, by a 5-0 vote on April 9, 2025. They expire on August 7, 2025, unless superseded by the final rulemaking.