Alabama Business License
General Business License Requirements for Alabama.
Business licenses are often required of business entities, regardless of their products and services. This page provides an overview of business license requirements in Alabama.
Alabama General Business Licenses
Alabama Business Privilege License
Initial Registration
| Filing Method: | In person or mail. |
| Agency Fee: | Varies by county. |
| Notes: | The application process for state business privilege licenses is handled at the county level and therefore varies from county to county. |
Registration Renewal
| Filing Method: | In person or mail. |
| Agency Fee: | Varies by county. |
| Due: | Licenses expire on September 30 of each year and must be renewed annually by October 31. |
| Notes: | The renewal process for state business privilege licenses is handled at the county level and therefore varies from county to county. |
Local General Business Licenses
Alexander City Non-Storefront Business License
| Agency: | Alexander City License and Tax Department (AL) |
| Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | No |
| Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | No |
Initial Registration
| Form: | |
| Agency Fee: | $12 |
Registration Renewal
| Form: | Use the License Schedules document to find the appropriate code for your business and then fill out the relevant Renewal Schedule to renew. |
| Filing Method: | Mail or email to scotty.price@alexandercityal.gov |
| Agency Fee: | $12 issuance fee + license fee based on business type or gross receipts. |
| Due: | Annually by February 15. |
Alexander City Storefront Business License
| Agency: | Alexander City License and Tax Department (AL) |
| Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | No |
| Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | No |
Initial Registration
| Form: | |
| Agency Fee: | $12 |
Registration Renewal
| Form: | Use the License Schedules document to find the appropriate code for your business and then fill out the relevant Renewal Schedule to renew. |
| Filing Method: | Mail or email to scotty.price@alexandercityal.gov |
| Agency Fee: | $12 issuance fee + license fee based on business type or gross receipts. |
| Due: | Annually by February 15. |
Andalusia Business License
| Agency: | City of Andalusia Business License Office (AL) |
| Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | No |
| Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | No |
Initial Registration
| Filing Method: | |
| Agency Fee: | Varies by business type. See City of Andalusia Business License Fee Schedule for details. |
Registration Renewal
| Agency Fee: | Varies by business type. See City of Andalusia Business License Fee Schedule for details. |
| Due: | Annually by January 31. |
Auburn Business License
| Agency: | City of Auburn Finance Department (AL) |
| Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | No |
| Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | No |
Initial Registration
| Form: | |
| Agency Fee: | If applying before June 30 for a given year, the fee is $105. If applying on July 1 or later for a given year, the fee is $55. |
Registration Renewal
| Filing Method: | |
| Agency Fee: | Minimum of $100. Depends on gross receipts and services offered. |
| Due: | Licenses expire annually on December 31 and must be renewed by February 15. |
Birmingham Business License
| Agency: | City of Birmingham Finance Department - Tax and License Administration Division (AL) |
Initial Registration
| Filing Method: | |
| Agency Fee: | Depends on business type; once application is submitted, an invoice will be sent with the fee amount. |
Registration Renewal
| Form: | A renewal form will be mailed in mid December to the address on file. |
| Agency Fee: | A renewal form will be mailed in mid December with instructions on how to calculate fee. |
| Due: | Annually by January 1. |
| Notarize: | Required |
City of Anniston Business License
| More Information: | https://www.annistonal.gov/finance/ |
| Agency: | City of Anniston Finance Department (AL) |
| Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | No |
| Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | No |
Initial Registration
| Form: | |
| Agency Fee: | Fees vary by gross receipts and services offered. See the fee schedule at the bottom of the application for details. |
Registration Renewal
| Form: | |
| Due: | Annually by January 1. |
City of Bessemer Business License
| Agency: | City of Bessemer (AL) |
| Law: | |
| Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | No |
| Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | No |
Initial Registration
| Form: | |
| Filing Method: | |
| Agency Fee: | $100 license fee + $12 issuance fee Every person who commences business on or after July 1, shall be subject to and shall pay one-half the annual license for such business for that calendar year. |
Registration Renewal
| Filing Method: | |
| Agency Fee: | $100 license fee + $12 issuance fee |
| Due: | Annually by January 31. |
City of Cullman Business License
| Agency: | City of Cullman (AL) |
| Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | No |
| Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | No |
Initial Registration
| Form: | |
| Agency Fee: | If applying before June 30 for a given year, the fee is $112. If applying on July 1 or later for a given year, the fee is $62. |
Registration Renewal
| Form: | |
| Agency Fee: | Minimum of $100. Depends on gross receipts and services offered. |
| Due: | Annually by January 31. |
City of Fayette Business License
| Agency: | City of Fayette |
| Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | No |
| Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | No |
Initial Registration
| Form: | |
| Filing Method: | Mail or fax. |
| Agency Fee: | Before July 1 : $100 annual fee + $10.00 issuance fee On or after July 1 : $50 (1/2 of annual fee) + $10.00 issuance fee
|
| Law: |
Registration Renewal
| Form: | |
| Filing Method: | Mail or fax. |
| Agency Fee: | $100 annual fee + $10 issuance fee. |
| Due: | Annually by January 1. |
| Law: |
City of Foley Business License
| Agency: | City of Foley Revenue Department (AL) |
| Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | No |
| Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | No |
Initial Registration
| Form: | |
| Filing Method: | Mail. |
| Agency Fee: | Fee determined by estimated gross reciepts for calender year (or remaining) + $12 issuance fee. |
Registration Renewal
| Form: | |
| Filing Method: | Mail. |
| Agency Fee: | Fee determined by gross reciepts from the previous year + $12 issuance fee |
| Due: | Annually by January 31. |
City of Fultondale Business License
| Agency: | City of Fultondale (AL) |
| Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | No |
| Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | No |
Initial Registration
| Form: | |
| Filing Method: | |
| Agency Fee: | Determined by by business type. |
Registration Renewal
| Filing Method: | |
| Agency Fee: | Determind by previous year's gross reciepts. |
| Due: | Annually by Decmeber 31. |
City of Glencoe Business License
Initial Registration
| Form: | |
| Filing Method: | |
| Agency Fee: | $112 + fee determined by estimated gross revenue |
Registration Renewal
| Form: | |
| Filing Method: | |
| Agency Fee: | $112 + fee determined by gross revenue |
| Due: | Annually by December 31. |
City of Heflin Business License
| Agency: | City of Heflin City Hall (AL) |
| Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | Yes |
| Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | No |
Initial Registration
| Form: | |
| Filing Method: | Mail or email cityhall@cityofheflin.org. |
| Agency Fee: | Fee determined by business type + $10.00 issuance fee |
Registration Renewal
| Form: | |
| Filing Method: | Mail or email cityhall@cityofheflin.org |
| Agency Fee: | Fees based on business type + $10.00 issuance fee |
| Due: | Annually by January 31. |
City of Hoover Business License
| Agency: | City of Hoover Revenue Department (AL) |
| Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | No |
| Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | No |
Initial Registration
| Form: | |
| Filing Method: | |
| Agency Fee: | Determined by business type. See fee schedule here. |
City of Hueytown Business License
| Agency: | City of Hueytown City Clerks Office - Revenue Division (AL) |
| Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | No |
| Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | No |
Initial Registration
| Form: | |
| Filing Method: | In-person, mail, fax, or email. |
| Agency Fee: | $12 issuance fee + fee determined by estimated gross receipts. Prorated fees available. |
| Law: |
Registration Renewal
| Form: | |
| Filing Method: | In-person, mail, fax, or email. |
| Agency Fee: | $12 issuance fee + fee determined by gross receipts and fee schedule. |
| Due: | Annually by January 1. |
City of Jacksonville Business License
| Agency: | City of Jacksonville Fiance Department - Economic Devlopment (AL) |
| Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | No |
| Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | No |
Initial Registration
| Form: | |
| Filing Method: | Mail, fax, or email. |
| Agency Fee: | If applying before June 30 for a given year, the fee is $112. If applying on July 1 or later for a given year, the fee is $62. |
Registration Renewal
| Form: | |
| Filing Method: | Mail, fax, or email. |
| Agency Fee: | Minimum of $100. Depends on gross receipts and services offered. See the fee schedules on this page for details. |
| Due: | Annually by January 1. |
City of Lincoln Business License
| Agency: | City of Lincoln Revenue Department (AL) |
| Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | No |
| Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | No |
Initial Registration
| Form: | Email kim.davidson@lincolnalabama.org to recieve application. |
| Filing Method: | Mail or email. |
| Agency Fee: | $12 issuance fee + fee determined by estimated gross reciepts or flat rate regulated by state law. |
Registration Renewal
| Form: | Email kim.davidson@lincolnalabama.org to request an application. |
| Filing Method: | Mail or email. |
| Agency Fee: | $12 issuance fee + estimated gross recipets or flat rate dermined by state. |
| Due: | Annually by January 31. |
| Penalties: | January 30th will be assessed a 15% penalty |
City of Margaret Business License
| Agency: | City of Margaret City Hall (AL) |
| Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | No |
| Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | No |
Initial Registration
| Form: | Email margaretwaterworks2@gmail.com to recieve form. |
| Filing Method: | Email margaretwaterworks2@gmail.com |
| Agency Fee: | Determined by business type. |
Registration Renewal
| Form: | Email margaretwaterworks2@gmail.com for form. |
| Filing Method: | Email margaretwaterworks2@gmail.com |
| Agency Fee: | Determined by business type. |
| Due: | Annually by December 31. |
City of Monroeville Business License
| Agency: | City of Monroeville Business License Department (AL) |
| Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | No |
| Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | No |
Initial Registration
| Form: | |
| Agency Fee: | Varies by business service and gross receipts. See the fee schedule information on this page for details. |
City of Mountain Brook Business License
| More Information: | https://www.mtnbrook.org/finance/page/business-licenses |
| Agency: | City of Mountain Brook Finance Department (AL) |
| Law: | |
| Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | No |
| Bond Requirements: | Bonds are determined by business type. See the for the Surety Bond Form. |
| Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | No |
Initial Registration
| Form: | |
| Filing Method: | |
| Agency Fee: | Based on estimated gross reciepts + $12 issuance fee |
Registration Renewal
| Agency Fee: | Determined by gross reicpets + $12 issuance fee |
| Due: | Annually by January 31. |
City of Orange Beach Business License
| Agency: | City of Orange Beach Finance Department (AL) |
| Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | No |
| Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | No |
Initial Registration
| Form: | |
| Filing Method: | Mail or onine. |
| Agency Fee: | Fee is based upon approval of application and gross reciepts + business type fee + $10.00 issuance fee. Prorated fees are available. |
| Turnaround: | 7-10 business days. |
| Law: |
Registration Renewal
| Form: | |
| Filing Method: | Mail or online. |
| Agency Fee: | Fees determined upon approval of application and business type + gross reciepts + $10 issuance fee |
| Turnaround: | 7-10 business days. |
| Due: | Annually by January 31. |
| Law: |
City of Pelham Business License
Initial Registration
| Form: | |
| Filing Method: | |
| Agency Fee: | Determined by business type and gross reciepts. |
Registration Renewal
| Form: | |
| Filing Method: | |
| Agency Fee: | Determined by gross revenue and business type. |
| Due: | Annually by December 31. |
City of Sylacauga Business License
| Agency: | City of Sylacauga Treasurer's Office (AL) |
| Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | No |
| Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | No |
Initial Registration
| Form: | |
| Agency Fee: | Varies by business service and gross receipts. |
Registration Renewal
| Form: | |
| Agency Fee: | Varies by business service and gross receipts. |
| Due: | Annually by January 1. |
City of Tarrant Business License
| Agency: | City of Tarrant (AL) |
| Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | No |
| Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | No |
Initial Registration
| Filing Method: | Online |
| Agency Fee: | Determined by gross reciepts and businss classification + $12 issuance fee |
| Law: | (Ord. No. 979, § 22, 10-15-2007; Ord. No. 991, § 1, 10-6-2008) |
Registration Renewal
| Filing Method: | |
| Agency Fee: | Determined by gross revenue and business classification + $12 issuance fee |
| Due: | Annually by January 31. |
City of Vestavia Hills Business License
Initial Registration
| Form: | |
| Filing Method: | Mail, fax or email crice@vhal.org. |
| Agency Fee: | Determined by fee schedule + $10 issuance fee. |
| Law: |
Registration Renewal
| Form: | |
| Filing Method: | Mail, faxed or email crice@vhal.org |
| Agency Fee: | Determined by fee schedule + $10 issuance fee |
| Law: |
City of Winfield Business License
| Agency: | City of Winfield Mayor's Office (AL) |
| Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | No |
| Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | No |
Initial Registration
| Form: | |
| Agency Fee: | Varies by business service and gross receipts. |
Registration Renewal
| Filing Method: | |
| Agency Fee: | Varies by business service and gross receipts. |
| Due: | Annually by January 1. |
Clanton Business License
| Agency: | City of Clanton Public Works Department - Building & Zoning - Commericial & Residential Projects (AL) |
| Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | No |
| Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | No |
Initial Registration
| Form: | |
| Agency Fee: | If applying before June 30 for a given year, the fee is $105. If applying on July 1 or later for a given year, the fee is $55. |
Registration Renewal
| Agency Fee: | Minimum of $100. Depends on gross receipts and services offered. |
| Due: | Annually by January 1. |
Daphne Business License
| Agency: | City of Daphne Revenue Department (AL) |
| Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | No |
| Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | No |
Initial Registration
| Form: | |
| Filing Method: | Mail or email to revenuedept@daphneal.com |
| Agency Fee: | If applying before June 30 for a given year, the fee is $105. If applying on July 1 or later for a given year, the fee is $55. |
Registration Renewal
| Form: | |
| Filing Method: | Mail or email to revenuedept@daphneal.com |
| Agency Fee: | Minimum of $100. Depends on gross receipts and services offered. |
| Due: | Annually by January 1. |
Decatur Business License
| Agency: | City of Decatur Revenue Department (AL) |
| Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | No |
| Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | No |
Initial Registration
| Filing Method: | |
| Agency Fee: | Varies by business service and gross receipts. |
| Notes: | If you will have a business location in Decatur you will first need to apply for a Certificate of Occupancy from the Building Department. If you will not have a business location in Decatur but are required to have the license, submit your information through the online form to start the licensing process. |
Registration Renewal
| Agency Fee: | Varies by business service and gross receipts. |
| Due: | Annually by January 31. |
| Notes: | Business license renewal notices are mailed to licensees with instructions on how to renew. |
Fort Payne Business License
| Agency: | City of Fort Payne Business License Clerk (AL) |
| Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | No |
| Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | No |
Initial Registration
| Form: | |
| Agency Fee: | The minimum fee is $115 + $12 issuance fee. Licenses issued after July 1st pay 1/2 the annual rate. |
Registration Renewal
| Agency Fee: | Varies by business activity. The minimum fee is $115. |
| Due: | Annually by January 1. |
| Notes: | Renewal forms are sent in the mail. |
Guntersville Business License
| Agency: | City of Guntersville City Clerk's Office - Business Licenses Section (AL) |
| Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | No |
| Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | No |
Initial Registration
| Form: | |
| Filing Method: | Mail, fax, or email to brittney.shaneyfelt@guntersvilleal.org |
| Agency Fee: | If applying before June 30 for a given year, the fee is $105. If applying on July 1 or later for a given year, the fee is $55. |
Registration Renewal
| Agency Fee: | Minimum of $100. Depends on gross receipts and services offered. |
| Due: | Annually by January 31. |
| Notes: | Business license renewal notices are mailed to licensees with instruction on how to renew. |
Hartselle Business License
| Agency: | City of Hartselle Administration Department - Business License Office (AL) |
| Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | No |
| Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | No |
Initial Registration
| Form: | |
| Agency Fee: | Fees are based on gross annual receipts from the previous year. |
Registration Renewal
| Form: | |
| Agency Fee: | Fees are based on gross annual receipts from the previous year. |
| Due: | Annually by December 31. |
Homewood Business License
| Agency: | City of Homewood City Clerk’s Office/Business License Division (AL) |
| Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | No |
| Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | No |
Initial Registration
| Form: | |
| Agency Fee: | If applying before June 30 for a given year, the fee is $112. If applying on July 1 or later for a given year, the fee is $62. |
Registration Renewal
| Agency Fee: | Minimum of $100. Depends on gross receipts and services offered. |
| Due: | Annually by January 1. |
| Notes: | Business license renewal notices are mailed to licensees with instruction on how to renew. |
Huntsville Business License
| Agency: | City of Huntsville Clerk-Treasurer Department - License Division (AL) |
Initial Registration
| Form: | |
| Agency Fee: | Upon submission of business license and tax return applications, the city clerk-treasurer shall issue an appropriate license fee + $10 issuance fee. |
Registration Renewal
| Form: | |
| Agency Fee: | Upon submission of business renewal license and tax return applications, the city clerk-treasurer shall issue an appropriate license renewal fee + $10 issuance fee. |
| Due: | Annually by January 1. |
Jefferson County Business License
| Agency: | Jefferson County Revenue Department (AL) |
| Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | No |
| Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | No |
Initial Registration
| Form: | |
| Agency Fee: | $25 |
Registration Renewal
| Form: | |
| Agency Fee: | Fees vary by gross receipts. There is a minimum license tax of $25. |
| Due: | Annually by October 1. |
Mobile Business License
| Agency: | City of Mobile Revenue Department (AL) |
Initial Registration
| Form: | |
| Agency Fee: | $120 license fee + $10 issue fee + $8 zoning fee. |
Registration Renewal
| Form: | Renewal form will be mailed in mid December of each year. |
| Agency Fee: | A renewal form with instructions on how to calculate renewal fee will be mailed in mid-December. |
| Due: | Annually by January 1. |
Mobile County Business License
| Agency: | Mobile County Sales Tax Department (AL) |
| Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | No |
| Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | No |
Initial Registration
| Form: | |
| Agency Fee: | Fees vary by business activity and gross receipts. |
Registration Renewal
| Filing Method: | |
| Agency Fee: | Fees vary by business activity and gross receipts. |
| Due: | Licenses expire on September 30 of each year and must be renewed annually by October 31. |
Montgomery Business License
| Agency: | City of Montgomery License and Revenue Division (AL) |
Initial Registration
| Form: | |
| Agency Fee: | Fee based on your business type. |
Registration Renewal
| Form: | Renewal form will be mailed in mid December |
| Agency Fee: | The amount due will be based on gross receipts from the past year. You must phone the City of Montgomery Revenue Division and they will calculate the fee due. |
| Due: | Annually by December 31. |
Pell City Business License
| Agency: | Pell City Revenue Department (AL) |
| Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | No |
| Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | No |
Initial Registration
| Form: | |
| Agency Fee: | Varies by business service and gross receipts. |
Registration Renewal
| Agency Fee: | Varies by business service and gross receipts. |
| Due: | Annually by January 1. |
| Notes: | Business license renewal notices are mailed to licensees with instructions on how to renew. |
Town of Summerdale Business License
| Agency: | Town of Summerdale Revenue Department (AL) |
| Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | No |
| Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | No |
Initial Registration
| Form: | |
| Filing Method: | Mail, fax or email planning@summerdaleal.com |
| Agency Fee: | Fee determined by fee schedule. |
Registration Renewal
| Form: | |
| Filing Method: | Mail, fax, or email planning@summerdaleal.com |
| Agency Fee: | Fee determined by fee schedule. |
| Penalties: | Penalties and Interest All licenses not paid within thirty (30) days from the date they fall due shall be increased by fifteen (15%) percent for the first thirty (30) day they shall delinquent or fraction thereof, and shall be measured by an additional fifteen (15%) percent for a delinquency of sixty (60) or more days. |
Learn about general business licensing requirements in other states:
