What is an Advisory Neighborhood Commission?

The Advisory Neighborhood Commissions consider a wide range of policies and programs affecting their neighborhoods, including traffic, parking, recreation, street improvements, liquor licenses, zoning, economic development, police protection, sanitation and trash collection, and the District's annual budget.

In each of these areas, the intent of the ANC legislation is to ensure input from an advisory board that is made up of the residents of the neighborhoods that are directly affected by government action. The ANCs are the body of government with the closest official ties to the people in a neighborhood.

The ANCs present their positions and recommendations on issues to various District government agencies, the Executive Branch, and the Council. They also present testimony to independent agencies, boards, and commissions, usually under the rules of procedure specific to those entities. By law, the ANCs may also present their positions to Federal agencies.

To assist ANCs, agency officials, and the general public, a searchable database of letters written by the Office of the Attorney General on ANC issues is now available.

The Office of Advisory Neighborhood Commissions (OANC), which provides technical support to the 37 ANCs, is located in Room 8 of the Wilson Building, 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC, 20004. The office can be reached at (202) 727-9945 and may also be contacted by email.

For assistance in locating your Ward and ANC please contact the Board of Elections at (202) 727-2525. You may also consult the online DC Guide for this information.