Yes, ticket scalping is legal in Washington, D.C., but tightly controlled under municipal and federal laws. The District’s regulations permit resale with licensing requirements, price caps, and venue-specific restrictions, enforced by the D.C. Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP) and the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). Federal antitrust scrutiny also applies to anticompetitive practices in ticket markets.
Key Regulations for Scalping Tickets in Washington D.C.
- Licensing Mandate: All ticket resellers must obtain a $25 annual license from the DLCP under D.C. Code § 28-3851 et seq., with renewals contingent on compliance reviews.
- Price Ceilings: Resale prices cannot exceed 120% of the original ticket’s face value, per D.C. Municipal Regulations § 24-2001. Exceptions require DLCP pre-approval for events with verified high demand.
- Venue Restrictions: Scalping is prohibited within 500 feet of regulated venues (e.g., Capital One Arena, Nationals Park) unless conducted in licensed secondary market platforms, as per MPD directives effective 2024.