The ABC Board approved the North Shaw Moratorium Zone (NSMZ) Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, by a three (3) to zero (0) vote on December 14, 2023. 

The rulemaking will prohibit the following for three years:

• New Retailer’s Class CN and DN nightclub licenses

• New Retailer’s Class CX and DX multipurpose facility licenses

• New entertainment endorsements for any on-premises licensed restaurant or tavern to offer entertainment, a cover charge, or facilities for dancing

• Existing entertainment endorsements for any on-premises licensed restaurant or tavern to add entertainment, a cover charge, or facilities for dancing

• A licensed nightclub, multipurpose facility, or restaurant or tavern with an entertainment endorsement from transferring from a location outside of the moratorium area to a location inside of the moratorium area

• A license holder located within the moratorium area filing a change of license class application for a Class CN, DN, CX (multipurpose facility), or DX (multipurpose facility) retailer’s license

The Board intends to take final rulemaking action in not less than thirty (30) days after publication of this notice in the D.C. Register. These proposed rules will be transmitted to the DC Council for a ninety (90)-day period of review. The Board will not adopt the rules as final prior to the expiration of the 90-day review period, unless approved by Council resolution.

Because the proposed moratorium zone covers an area larger than the 1900 block of 9th Street, N.W., requested by the Westminster Neighborhood Association (WNA), the Board is scheduling an additional public hearing for Thursday, February 29, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. to receive public comment on the Board’s proposed rulemaking.