OCT 8 | Advisory Neighborhood Commission 8C Meeting

Washington, DC is home to a unique form of hyper-local government known as the Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) system. Established in the 1970s, ANCs give everyday residents a formal voice in city governance, bridging the gap between neighborhoods and the District government.

Each ANC is made up of elected Commissioners, who represent single-member districts of about 2,000 residents. These volunteer officials don’t receive salaries, yet they often carry significant influence. ANCs weigh in on issues that affect daily life in their neighborhoods—everything from zoning changes and liquor licenses to public safety, transportation, and city services.

While their votes are technically advisory, DC law requires government agencies and the Council to give “great weight” to ANC recommendations. That means these neighborhood bodies can shape development projects, impact small business operations, and advocate for residents’ concerns in ways that are both practical and powerful.

The ANC system is hyper-local democracy in action: a reminder that community voices matter, and that decisions about schools, sidewalks, parks, and businesses are not just made downtown, but right at the neighborhood level.