Advisory Neighborhood Commissions

The Advisory Neighborhood Commissions Act of 1975 created Advisory Neighborhood Commissions (ANC) to represent residents within Commission areas established in each of the 8 Wards of the District of Columbia. There are currently 37 ANCs comprised of 299 Single Member Districts (SMD). Each SMD has a population of approximately 2,000 residents and is represented by an elected ANC Commissioner. ANCs range in size from 2 to 14 SMDs depending on the size of the Commission area. The ANCs are empowered to advise the District government on matters of public policy, including decisions regarding planning, streets, recreation, social services, programs, health, safety, and sanitation in the Commission area. Advisory Neighborhood Commissions are funded by District revenues through the annual appropriations process. Appropriations to individual ANCs range from $3,000 to $28,000 annually.

Pursuant to D.C. Code, Section 1-309.13(d)(1) and (2), the District of Columbia Auditor is responsible for providing financial oversight of ANCs, auditing their financial accounts, and maintaining a database of financial information on each ANC for historical and expenditure trend analysis. The Auditor produces and submits to the Council of the District of Columbia a consolidated annual report of the financial activity of all ANCs. The Auditor may audit the financial accounts of an ANC at the discretion of the Auditor, upon the request of a member of the Council, or upon the request of a Commissioner of the ANC for which an audit is requested. All ANCs are required to submit quarterly financial reports documenting their financial activity to the Office of the District of Columbia Auditor on a form provided by the Auditor and by due dates established by the Auditor each calendar year.

The Auditor provides financial oversight and guidance to the ANCs to promote financial accountability, compliance with the ANC Law, and to ensure that internal controls are adequate to produce reliable financial information and to safeguard the ANCs’ assets. The ANCs are further guided in performing their responsibilities by guidelines and procedures established by the District of Columbia Auditor, and written opinions issued by the District’s Office of the Corporation Counsel which address common ANC concerns, frequently asked questions, and issues requiring legal review or clarification of the applicability of the Advisory Neighborhood Commissions Act of 1975.  To view a list of the current ANC Commissioners' and their contact information click here.