Texting & Voicemail Rules for Sales Reps in District of Columbia
To text or send ringless voicemail to sales leads in District of Columbia, you need prior express written consent (PEWC) under the federal TCPA (47 CFR 64.1200(f)(9)) — a purchased list is not consent. Send only during 8:00 AM – 9:00 PM at the recipient's local time, honor STOP opt-outs immediately, and include your business name. District of Columbia's key statute is D.C. Code 34-1701 et seq..
By Ryan Madden, Founder, FollowUp AI · Updated June 16, 2026 · This is a general summary of common rules, not legal advice. Confirm specifics with counsel.
District of Columbia SMS & voicemail compliance at a glance
| Consent for automated marketing | Prior express written consent (PEWC) — 47 CFR 64.1200(f)(9) |
|---|---|
| Quiet hours | 8:00 AM – 9:00 PM — Matches federal default |
| State EBR exemption | No state EBR exemption |
| State DNC registry | No separate state registry (federal DNC applies) |
| Private right of action | Federal TCPA only ($500–$1,500/violation) |
| Call-recording consent | One-party consent |
| Risk tier | Standard |
| Key statute | D.C. Code 34-1701 et seq. |
Per-recipient timezone quiet hours, opt-out handling, and consent tracking — built in. Start free →
Frequently asked questions
Do I need consent to text sales leads in District of Columbia?
Yes. Automated marketing texts (and ringless voicemail) require prior express written consent (PEWC) under the federal TCPA, 47 CFR 64.1200(f)(9), in every state including District of Columbia. A purchased lead list is not consent.
What are the texting quiet hours in District of Columbia?
In District of Columbia, send marketing messages only 8:00 AM – 9:00 PM at the recipient's local time. Matches federal default
Is there a storm or insurance-claim solicitation ban in District of Columbia?
District of Columbia has no special storm-solicitation ban beyond the standard federal rules. Roofing/restoration insurance-claim restrictions exist only in FL, TX, and LA.
Can I be sued for texting violations in District of Columbia?
District of Columbia relies primarily on federal enforcement, but the federal TCPA private right of action ($500–$1,500 per violation) still applies.
Does an existing customer relationship (EBR) let me skip consent in District of Columbia?
An EBR (18 months from a purchase, 3 months from an inquiry) only exempts you from the Do-Not-Call registry — it does not replace PEWC for automated marketing. You still need written consent to send automated texts or voicemail.
About the author. Ryan Madden is the founder of FollowUp AI, an SMS and ringless-voicemail follow-up platform for field sales teams, where he works on TCPA-aware outreach compliance. This is general information, not legal advice.