*NOTE: This section includes amendments by temporary legislation that will expire on August 13, 2026. To view the text of this section after the expiration of all emergency and temporary legislation, click this link: Past Permanent Version.*

1. (a) The provisions of this chapter shall not apply:

   1. (1) To retail sales made via mail, phone, or internet;
   2. (2) To parking facilities that do not already accept cash as a form of payment as of December 1, 2020;

   3. (3) To a food store or retail establishment that provides a device on premises that converts cash, without charging a fee or requiring a minimum deposit amount greater than 5 dollars, into a prepaid card ("cash-to-card device") that allows a consumer to complete a transaction at the food store or retail establishment; provided, that:

      1. (A) Upon request, the cash-to-card device shall provide each consumer with a receipt indicating the amount of cash deposited onto the prepaid card;
      2. (B) The prepaid card shall not be subject to an expiration date and there shall be no limit on the number of transactions that may be completed on the card; and
      3. (C) In the event that the cash-to-card device malfunctions, the food store or retail establishment where the cash-to-card device is located shall accept, in accordance with this chapter, payment in cash from consumers during the time period in which the cash-to-card device does not function;
   4. (4) During a period of time for which the Mayor has declared a public health emergency pursuant to [§ 7-2304.01]; or

   5. (5) Provided that written, conspicuous notice to the public is displayed on the door of the establishment or menu that cash payments are not accepted, to:

      1. (A) A retail establishment with a valid on-premises Class C or Class D retailer license; or

      2. (B) A restaurant location, as that term is defined in § 25-101(43), that operates:

         1. (i) Twenty-four hours a day; or
         2. (ii) At 3:00 am at least 2 days a week.

Applicability

Applicability of D.C. Law 23-187: § 3 of D.C. Law 23-187 provided that the creation of this section by § 2(c) of D.C. Law 23-187 is subject to the inclusion of the law’s fiscal effect in an approved budget and financial plan. Therefore that amendment has not been implemented.

Applicability of D.C. Law 23-187: § 3 of D.C. Law 23-187 provided that the creation of this section by § 2(c) of D.C. Law 23-187 is subject to the inclusion of the law’s fiscal effect in an approved budget and financial plan. Therefore that amendment has not been implemented.

Section 7082 of D.C. Law 25-50 repealed section 3 of D.C. Law 23-187 removing the applicability provision impacting this section. Therefore the creation of this section by section 2(c) of Law 23-187 has been implemented.

Section 3 of D.C. Law 26-77 provided that the amendments made to this section by section 2 of D.C. Law 26-77 shall apply as of October 18, 2025.

History

Mar. 16, 2021, D.C. Law 23-187, § 2(c)

Dec. 31, 2025, D.C. Law 26-77, § 2

Emergency Legislation

For temporary (90 days) amendment of this section, see § 2 of Entertainment Establishment Employee Safety Emergency Amendment Act of 2024 (D.C. Act 25-684, Jan. 8, 2025, 72 DCR 339).

For temporary (90 days) amendment of this section, see § 2 of Entertainment Establishment Employee Safety Extension Emergency Amendment Act of 2025 (D.C. Act 26-176, Oct. 24, 2025, 72 DCR 12391).

Temporary Legislation

For temporary (225 days) amendment of this section, see § 2 of Entertainment Establishment Employee Safety Temporary Amendment Act of 2024 (D.C. Law 25-293, Mar. 7, 2025, 72 DCR 335).

For temporary (225 days) amendment of this section, see § 2 of Entertainment Establishment Employee Safety Extension Temporary Amendment Act of 2025 (D.C. Law 26-77, Dec. 31, 2025, 72 DCR 12880).