Moving & Storage Washington D.C.

Yes, you very likely will. But it is important to pick an A+ rated residential and commercial mover with decades of experience for moving to and from areas in Washington, D.C.. McKendree Moving & Storage is a professional full-service moving company that has been providing relocation and logistics services to our customers since 1981. Our team has the know-how that you need for all of your moving & storage in the D.C. area. We are a family-owned company offering you the same relocation and storage services that we’ve provided for our own family members. Whether moving local or long distance, our goal is to make your move as smooth as possible. From the very beginning, we provide you with the best advice on how to make your move a success. For example, if you’re not sure about downsizing your belongings, McKendree Moving & Storage offers competitive pricing on climate-controlled storage options to meet your specific needs while you’re living in the District of Columbia. Best of all, our professional movers understand the importance of creating a personalized moving plan that meets your needs, schedules, milestones, service requirements, and expectations. In addition to our residential moving & storage services, we also offer a broad range of services for commercial moves. So, whether you need to move your home office or moving your entire company to the District of Columbia, we have the equipment and storage facilities for business furnishings, company files, office equipment, conference tables, seating, and large-screen monitors.

Although the city is a smaller area than most, there are a lot of people moving about Washington, D.C. each and every day. This includes heavy daily foot traffic, lots of cars, and the routine truck traffic servicing the nation’s capital. Like most big cities, stand-still traffic and congestion are extremely common. Driving times will vary depending upon the time of day as well as current construction zones. So it’s smart to plan ahead and leave earlier if you have to be somewhere on time. Typically, the capital city has a three and a half hour morning rush from around 6 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. and a late afternoon rush of three hours from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.. Due to tourism, major delays are common on holidays and weekends. The District of Columbia is an event-filled space, so always check for road closures and traffic changes. Most drivers use navigation map apps or Traffic Spotter for info, and it’s normally best to avoid I-95 and I-70 during rush hour. 

Washington D.C. is an extremely walkable city, but summers are a bit muggy and winters can feel quite cold. So, if you’re not up for walking, sightseeing bus tours are a great way to take in the popular attractions. Companies like USA Guided Tours offer Discover DC Bus Tours with both closed-top for climate control and convertible buses with open-air views when the D.C. weather permits. The best time to visit for sightseeing is in the spring and fall, especially April, May, and late September to early November. Washington, D.C. welcomed almost 26 million visitors to the District of Columbia in 2023, which resulted in a record $10.2 billion in visitor spending that created over one-hundred thousand local jobs. International visitors are important to the city's economy as those guests tend to stay longer and spend more than domestic visitors.

For those who are just moving to the area, there are numerous iconic monuments, federal buildings, galleries, museums, and performances that are a must see. At the heart of the city is Capitol Hill with the U.S. Capitol, Library of Congress, U.S. Senate, and the House of Representatives. Other popular attractions are the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, the National Air and Space Museum, the National Gallery of Arts, the White House, the Lincoln Memorial, the National Mall, the Holocaust Memorial Museum, the Washington Monument, the Jefferson Memorial, the National Museum of African American History, the International Spy Museum, Ford’s Theatre, the National Museum of American History, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, the United States Botanic Garden, Museum of the Bible, Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, and much more.

It depends, but you probably will want one. The DC One Card is a single identification card that provides access to many District of Columbia government programs and facilities. It is a consolidated credential that adults, children and seniors can use to access DC government facilities and many District programs, including:

• Government Facilities – DC One Cards are building access cards for DC government employees and give residents physical and logical access to required DC government facilities, resources and programs.
• Schools – DC One Cards are the school ID for DCPS secondary students, and are also used by DC Public Charter Schools and Private School students. This offers convenience by eliminating the need for multiple District-issued ID cards
• The Metro - DC One Cards with SmarTrip® technology are rechargeable farecards for travel within the WMATA transportation system and provide convenience to residents and cost savings for the government.
• Libraries & Recreation Centers – DC One Cards provide unlimited access to Department of Parks and Recreation programs and can be used like a library card to check out books from DC Public Libraries.

To apply for a DC One Card, you'll need to provide original documents as proof of identity. District residents may also need to provide additional proof of residency documentation. Citizens aged 65 and older are eligible for a Senior SmarTrip® enabled DC One Card, which provides a discounted senior fare on Metrobus and Metrorail.

If you’re new to the area, living in D.C. puts you in the middle of a wide variety of recreational places that are usually within a few hours’ drive. Although driving times will vary based on where you’re leaving from and current road construction, here are popular venues and Google Map’s suggested drive times. For example, if you headed to the beach, Sandy Point State Park is about 40 miles (1 hr. 15 min.), Chesapeake Beach is about 40 miles (1 hr.), and Virginia Beach is about 200 miles (4 hr.). The District of Columbia is not just about politics. The D.C. area offers easy access to the stunning Blue Ridge Mountains with breathtaking views, picturesque towns, outdoor adventures and rich mountain history. Many scenic areas are less than 50 miles from Washington and popular Bear Den Mountain with wildlife, rivers and hiking trails is about an eight-hour drive. The Blue Ridge Mountains offer scenic road trips through quaint towns and remarkable fall colors. However, with its stunning architecture, rich cultural history, and vibrant nightlife, Washington, D.C. offers a unique experience for residents at all times and year round.

If you look at a Map of the District of Columbia, you will see Georgetown, Alexandria, and Washington included in the diamond shaped area known as the District of Columbia. Georgetown University is a renowned institution that’s regarded for its emphasis on diverse student population and public service. Best of all is the city’s sense of community with historic cobbled streets that’s known for shopping, dining, nightlife, and waterfront activities. For starters, Alexandria (Virginia) is easily accessible by water-taxi, bus or Metrorail and is a charming city. Residents in the District of Columbia enjoy its rich history as walkable small-town with a cosmopolitan feel and big-city amenities. King Street is lined with boutiques, shops and cafes and Alexandria is home to Gadsby’s Tavern where the founding fathers of our country chose to dine. Although Arlington is a county and not a city, it was originally part of the ten-square-mile area surveyed for the nation’s capital, but Congress retroceded it to the Commonwealth of Virginia. Lying across the Potomac River, Arlington is the proud home to the Arlington National Cemetery as well as high-quality residential neighborhoods.

For new District of Columbia residents, the DC DMV wants to help you complete your business with them in a single visit and offer specific instructions for a DC driver license, vehicle registration and inspection, and residential parking permit. You can click here for a DC DMV Driver Application Form.

• Driver License – It is advised that you do not wait until your out-of-state license or vehicle registration is about to expire to start the process of converting to the necessary District of Columbia credentials. if you live in the District of Columbia for 60 days (or more) and operate a motor vehicle in public spaces, D.C. laws require you to have a DC DMV driver license. NOTE: If you are 70 years old (or older), then you must have your doctor complete the Mature Driver Certification section of the driver license application prior to your in-person DC DMV visit.
• Vehicle Registration – You must have the vehicle title to register your vehicle with the DC DMV. If there is no lien on the vehicle, you need to obtain a copy of the title from the DMV in jurisdiction where the vehicle is still titled. If there is a lien on the vehicle, you can print the DMV Lienholder Out-of-State Title Request form and mail it to your lienholder. In addition, your vehicle must be inspected and valid inspection stickers from other jurisdictions are not accepted for registration. Inspection fees are, however, not paid at the inspection station but when the vehicle is registered.
• Residential Parking Permits – DC DMV will issue a residential parking permit to allow any DC DMV-registered private vehicle or vehicle with reciprocity to be parked without restriction in the permit area of the vehicle’s registered address. But to be eligible for a residential parking permit, your street must be appropriately zoned. There will be a sign on the block noting the 2-hour parking restriction for non-permitted vehicles. In addition, there are reciprocity parking permits available for students, military service members, presidential appointees, members of Congress, diplomats, and certain part-time residents.
• Proof of Insurance – For as long as the vehicle is registered in the District of Columbia, you must maintain continuous insurance and DC law requires proof of insurance prior to registration. The proof of insurance document must contain your name, valid coverage dates, the VIN of the vehicle and your District address. Failure to maintain vehicle insurance will result in insurance lapse fees, so owners of vehicles that may not be used for a significant length of time can surrender their DC tag to avoid insurance fees or other tickets.

You can visit the DC DMV page for new District of Columbia residents to learn more about motorcycle endorsements, provisional licenses, commercial driver licenses, driver education and testing information. The DC DMV also participates in the State-to-State (S2S) Verification Service that allows for electronic verification of applicants with an out-of-state driver license and driver history to decrease processing time under “One Driver, One Record, One Credential” compliance.

If you are nowhere near a District of Columbia commercial area, you might be lucky enough to find a spot to park on the street for free. However, in most downtown residential neighborhoods, those spaces normally have a strict two-hour parking limit for non-residents. Street parking downtown is tricky and lots of spots are reserved. Plus, “temporary no parking” signs can pop up anywhere and at any time. The cost of parking in the central downtown area depends on the location, time of day and type of parking (such as street or garage). You can expect to pay between $10 to $20 per hour and popular tourist areas downtown charge up to $30 per hour for parking. Union Station is a good option for garage parking at $24 a day and is conveniently located about a half mile north of the Capitol. Some visitors staying in downtown hotels opt for Union Station as it tends to be cheaper than hotel parking at $40 to $50 per night. CityCenterDC, The Wharf, and SpotHero are parking garages with similar rates to Union Station. Across the street from the Smithsonian is general tourism parking at the Reagan Building. As part of the International Trade Center, it is about a block and half from the White House with $15 weekend parking, but it is more expensive during the week as it is convenient to federal government buildings. ParkDC is a mobile app from the District Department of Transportation that helps users find real-time parking availability and rate information by identifying on-street and off-street options.

For electricity in the District of Columbia, you can set up service with the local utility, which is Potomac Electric Power Company (PEPCo), Washington Gas, or contract with one of the many third-party suppliers that offer electricity and gas in the District of Columbia. In Washington, D.C., the utility market is fully deregulated, which means residential and commercial energy users can choose their electricity and gas providers. In most cases, there is no deposit needed but there are exceptions.

• PEPCo – Within thirty days of your move-in date, you can contact PEPCo to schedule a start date for electricity to your new residence. Power is turned on at 8 a.m. on the first day of service. PEPCo is the main provider in the District of Columbia area, including areas of Virginia and Maryland. You can set up an account by registering for online access or call (202) 833-7500. A deposit may be required if you have an outstanding bill, a history of late payments, or have had previously disconnected service. Pepco is the Standard Offer Service Administrator, which means it supplies electricity at a rate set by the Public Service Commission but customers can choose to sign up with a third-party supplier.
• Washington Gas – Washington Gas serves more than one million residential, commercial and industrial customers throughout the District of Columbia and surrounding areas. To get your gas turned on, you can visit one of the company’s walk-in offices, speak with a customer service representative by calling (844) 927-4427, or submitting the required information online at My Washington Gas. A soft credit check will determine if a deposit is required. For new gas service, there will be a set-up fee. Since the District of Columbia is deregulated you can choose your own gas supplier. To learn more about your energy options or to switch suppliers, visit DC Power Connect
• Third-Party Suppliers – District of Columbia energy customers have a choice when it comes to who will supply their electricity or gas. This allows you to select the best energy option for your household, whether you’re concerned about your carbon footprint or are looking for the best fixed-price over time. There are several third-party suppliers in the Washington, D.C. area that offer electricity and gas, including Alpha Gas and Electric, SmartEnergy, Ambit Energy, Titan Gas, ClearView Electric, Atlantic Energy, WGL Energy Services, Constellation New Energy and many more. When choosing a third-party supplier, you can consider things like price, promotions or guaranteed clean energy supply.

NOTE: Pepco and Washington Gas are the electric and natural gas distribution companies for the District of Columbia, respectively. DC Power Connect is the official retail choice site for the District of Columbia and is brought to you by the Public Service Commission of Washington, D.C..

The Department of Public Waste (DPW) provides solid waste management, environmental services and parking enforcement. DPW’s municipal services are intended to keep District of Columbia streets and public spaces clean, safe, attractive, and accessible. You can learn more about submitting residential and commercial service requests by clicking on the links above.

Zero Waste DC is a program that aims to reduce waste in the District of Columbia by providing resources and strategies to the government, businesses, schools, community groups, and residents. The Zero Waste DC Plan includes 43 actions and seven goals to achieve zero waste by 2040, including:

• Reducing the city's solid waste stream by 18%
• Diverting 80% of waste from landfills and waste-to-energy facilities
• Reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 1.38 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent

It's about making personal choices as to what you consume and what you throw away. By reducing your consumption and waste, you accomplish two things. First, you reduce trash sent to landfills, incinerators and the ocean. Second, you reduce the energy needed to process, transport and dispose of materials, including:

• What Goes Where?: A tool to help determine how to dispose of an item 
• Reduce & Reuse: A directory of resale stores in the District 
• Recycle: Guidelines for recycling plastic, including cups, containers, bottles, lids, and bulky items

For residential collection information, you can look up your trash and recycling collection day using the Department of Public Works residential app. DPW collects from single-family homes and apartment buildings with three or fewer units.

RECYCLE RESIDENTS – DPW collects recycling one time each week from single-family residences and three or fewer unit apartment buildings. Marked recycle containers offer “mixed” recycling with all items to be loosely placed in the same container. It is important to note that plastic bags, wraps, and film of any color, size or shape are no longer accepted in the District of Columbia’s single-stream “mixed” recyclables. You can click on the RECYCLE RESIDENTS link above for a pictured listing of recyclables, items that are not eligible to be recycled, and instructions on how to prepare recyclables for collection.

Yes, the District of Columbia’s Zero Waste DC initiative established mandatory recycling requirements for all commercial properties and establishments, including apartment buildings with four or more units, mixed-use residential and commercial buildings, and commercial properties are required to provide their own recycling collection services. This includes District of Columbia office buildings, houses of worship, retailers, warehouses, apartment buildings with more than three units, cooperatives, condominiums, government buildings, bars and restaurants, non-profit organizations, schools, colleges and universities.

RECYCLE BUSINESSES – The Department of Public Waste (DPW) does not provide trash collection for businesses, commercial properties or establishments. However, the commercial trash collection service must have a current Solid Waste Collector’s license issued by the District of Columbia. In addition, trash must be collected at least twice weekly. All trash must be placed in the appropriate lidded container without overflow. Trash should not be stored in plastic or paper bags outside of the approved container. Moreover, commercial entities are required to inform residents and occupants about recycling requirements and materials that should be recycled. In addition, janitorial staff must receive training on the property’s recycling program at least once a year.

For residents living in the District of Columbia, dial 311 to contact non-emergency services. This number is used to report non-emergency police incidents, such as vandalism, traffic issues or noise complaints. To request city services like street light failures, pothole repairs or trash collection, you can also use 311. This hotline can also be loaded as a mobile app, so you can report issues using a smartphone or computer tablet. For anyone living outside of the District of Columbia, they can call (202) 737-4404 to report issues or request non-emergency services. In Washington, D.C., the Office of Unified Communications oversees the designated 311 non-emergency call center as well as all District of Columbia 911 emergency calls. 911 is your immediate lifeline for emergency medical services, rapid response medic units (EMTs) and advanced life support units staffed with paramedics. In addition to Air Medical services where every second counts due to severe illnesses or critical injuries, the city provides Event Emergency Medical Services for concerts, festivals and special events or large gatherings.

District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) contains 116 schools with just under 50K students enrolled. Last year, there were nineteen different school districts supporting 40 high schools. The University of the District of Columbia is the only public university in the nation’s capital and the only urban land grant university in the United States.

U.S. News and World Report analyzed pre-K through high school for private schools in the District of Columbia and identified these 64 private schools A-to-Z. Three of the top private schools in Washington, D.C. include Gonzaga College High School, Maret School, and National Cathedral School for young women. The Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) coordinates with private schools in the District of Columbia to meet local requirements, report data and facilitate participation in applicable support programs.

The District of Columbia has many colleges and universities, including major universities, private institutions, research universities, public institutions, and satellite campuses, including American University, The George Washington University, Georgetown University, Howard University, and the University of the District of Columbia. 33 of the areas 50 satellite campuses are located in the downtown area and include the University of Southern California, Texas A&M University, Princeton University, John Hopkins University, and Purdue University. D.C. has one of the most educated populations in the nation.

The District of Columbia is part of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed and drinking water comes from upstream sources, such as the Potomac River, Anacostia River, Oxon Run, and Rock Creek. Over one-hundred million gallons of clean, high quality drinking water is treated every day at the Washington Aqueduct, which is the federally owned drinking water treatment plant. If you notice a slight change in taste or smell of DC drinking water, the Aqueduct switches disinfectants from chloramine back to chlorine each year to clean the water distribution system for improved water quality. The United States Congress approved DC Water as an independent authority with a separate legal existence in 2010. As tap water flows through the DC Water system, it is monitored and tested around the clock to ensure that tap water is safe to drink. There are also numerous stores and market to refill water bottles in D.C. as well. Residents can pay their DC Water bill online as a one-time payment or setup recurring payments using a checking or savings account or with a credit card. One-time payments can also be made using an Android or iPhone with the My DC Water mobile app. Plus, you can also pay your sewer bills online using the same options.

Occupiable residential properties in the District of Columbia are taxed at a rate of 85 cents per $100 of the current market value determined by an assessor. So paying property taxes can go up or down based on the determined valuation. If you got a mortgage to buy your D.C. home, the lienholder would divert a portion of your monthly house payment to ensure the basic property taxes are paid on time. However, if you own your home in full, you will receive a separate property tax bill that you will receive from the city. Property taxes in D.C. are paid twice a year (March 31^st and September 15^th) and your bill can be paid by check or money order through the mail and in person, or online at the DC.gov Office of Tax and Revenue. Homestead Exemption in the D.C. area can save owner-occupants a significant amount of money but the property must be your primary residence. For homeowners over the age of 65, the Homestead Exemption can reduce property taxes by 50% based on the gross household income. Paying property taxes on time is important as penalties are notable and “what you owe” can quickly escalate.

183 Day Rule in DC – To qualify as a tax resident in the District of Columbia, every day you maintain a place of residency for an aggregate of 183 days or more, including days of temporary absence, is counted towards the Washington, D.C.’s residency rule according to the Office of Tax and Revenue.

Yes, you will need a permit that allows you to operate a business from your home in Washington, D.C.. A Home Occupation Permit (HOP) sets limits on the number of employees and customers you can have for a full-time or part-time business, which is designed to ensure that your business doesn’t disrupt the peace of anyone’s home life. This includes activities like general office use, computer programming, tutoring, sewing, and cosmetology. Any business that doesn't follow the District of Columbia licensing or safety regulations can face significant financial penalties. In addition, you must have a Certificate of Occupancy if you work from a commercial premise address. For excellent help in getting started or to expand your business, visit the DC Business Portal or the DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP) to learn more about the steps for obtaining DC licenses.

Yes you do. Washington, D.C. has a vibrant urban economy that actually has a bigger gross domestic product than many states do. So in addition to paying federal income taxes, resident taxpayers living in the nation’s capital pay a state-like income tax to the District of Columbia. These rates generally range from 4% to 10.75% depending on net income. You must file a tax return in the District if any of the following conditions are met:

• You were a D.C. resident at any time during the tax year.
• You had a D.C. home for at least 183 days, even if your permanent home was somewhere else.
• You’re a member of the armed forces, and D.C. was your home of record for any part of the tax year.
• You’re the spouse of someone who’s exempt from filing D.C. taxes, such as an elected official.
• You’re eligible for and want to receive a refundable tax credit.

Washington, D.C. does, however, offer tax deductions and credits to reduce your overall tax liability, such as an adult dependent care credit, child care credit, or a property tax fairness credit. Here’s a District of Columbia tax calculator provided by Forbes Advisor. It includes D.C. income tax brackets and specified rates for all filing statuses in the Washington, D.C. area. If you meet the requirements listed above for living in the District of Columbia during a given tax year, you are required to file a DC income tax return.

NOTE: Your employer may not have been required to withhold DC taxes. So, be proactive and visit MyTax DC to learn more about the District of Columbia’s tax laws, links and resources.

The nation’s capital has a humid subtropical climate but residents get to enjoy four distinct seasons of winter, spring, summer and fall weather. The hottest months of the year are mid to late summer with temperatures normally between the low to high 80s.* The average rainfall in the capital city is 39 inches, which is slightly more than Seattle, Washington. The fall months in the downtown and surrounding areas are filled with colors as the hardwoods across the Appalachian plains turn from green to red, yellow and gold. January is usually the coldest month for those living in the District of Columbia with average highs in the 40s and lows in the high 20s. While Washington D.C. does receive over a foot of snow each winter, the majority of the District of Columbia’s precipitation is in the form of light showers or drizzle.

NOTE: During the meteorological summer of 2024, Washington D.C. did have triple-digit heat that was the first in eight years and the District of Columbia’s third hottest summer of record. Due to naturally high humidity, certain days during the summer months can get pretty miserable. Nonetheless, some of the busiest times of year in the nation’s capital are the summer months with Washington D.C.’s growing tourism.

Yes, the District of Columbia provides real-time alerts for residents through the AlertDC system with updates directly from public safety officials and Metropolitan Police. AlertDC is the official District of Columbia communications system allowing residents to pick the type of emergency alerts, notifications, and updates based on location and alert type. Some examples of situations that may trigger an alert include: water shutoffs, boil water notices, flood warnings, and upcoming District events. District of Columbia residents can register an email address and phone numbers for free. AlertDC officials recommend that at least two members of a household register to receive alerts. Visit the DC.gov page for Emergency and Warning Notification overview to ensure you are always informed.