District Of Columbia § 25-446 - Settlement agreements; approval process; penalties for violations.
Full text of District Of Columbia D.C. Code § 25-446 — Settlement agreements; approval process; penalties for violations., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 25-446. Settlement agreements; approval process; penalties for violations.
25-446The applicant and any protestant may, at any time, negotiate a settlement and enter into a written settlement agreement setting forth the terms of the settlement.
The signatories to the agreement shall submit the agreement to the Board for approval.
Except as provided in , all provisions of a settlement agreement approved by the Board shall be enforceable by ABRA or the Board.
A settlement agreement not approved by the Board shall not be enforced by ABRA or the Board.
If it determines that the settlement agreement complies with all applicable laws and regulations and the applicant otherwise qualifies for licensure, the Board shall approve the license application, conditioned upon the licensee’s compliance with the terms of the settlement agreement. The Board shall incorporate the text of the settlement agreement in its order and the settlement agreement shall be enforceable by the Board.
Unless a shorter term is agreed upon by the parties, a settlement agreement shall run for the term of a license, including renewal periods, unless it is terminated or amended in writing by the parties and the termination or amendment is approved by the Board.
The Board may accept an application to amend or terminate a settlement agreement by fewer than all parties in the following circumstances:
During the license’s renewal period; and
After 4 years from the date of the Board’s decision initially approving the settlement agreement.
Notice of an application to amend or terminate a settlement agreement shall be given both to the parties of the agreement and to the public at the time of the applicant’s renewal application according to the renewal procedures required under §§ through .
The Board may approve a request by fewer than all parties to amend or terminate a settlement agreement for good cause shown if it makes each of the following findings based upon sworn evidence:
The applicant seeking the amendment has made a diligent effort to locate all other parties to the settlement agreement; or
If non-applicant parties are located, the applicant has made a good-faith attempt to negotiate a mutually acceptable amendment to the settlement agreement;
The need for an amendment is either caused by circumstances beyond the control of the applicant or is due to a change in the neighborhood where the applicant’s establishment is located; and
The amendment or termination will not have an adverse impact on the neighborhood where the establishment is located as determined under or , if applicable.
To fulfill the good faith attempt criteria of paragraph (4)(A)(ii) of this subsection, a sworn affidavit from the applicant shall be filed with the Board at the time that an application to amend a settlement agreement by fewer than all parties is filed stating that either:
A meeting occurred between the parties which did not result in agreement; or
The non-applicant parties refused to meet with the applicant.
For the purposes of this subsection, the term “license’s renewal period” means the 60-day period before the expiration date of a license.
Upon a determination that a licensee has violated a settlement agreement, the Board shall penalize the licensee according to the provisions set forth for violations of a license in .
Annotations
Source: official District Of Columbia text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About District Of Columbia § 25-446
What does D.C. Code § 25-446 cover?
Section 25-446 ("Settlement agreements; approval process; penalties for violations.") is part of the D.C. Code, the codified statutory law of District Of Columbia. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite District Of Columbia § 25-446?
A common citation format is "D.C. Code § 25-446" (District Of Columbia). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of District Of Columbia law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the District Of Columbia official source linked on this page or consult a licensed District Of Columbia attorney.
How does District Of Columbia § 25-446 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in District Of Columbia can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in District Of Columbia.