Florida Business License

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General Business Licensing Guide
Overview
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General Business License Requirements for Florida.

Business licenses are often required of business entities, regardless of their products and services. This page provides an overview of business license requirements in Florida.

Florida General Business Licenses

Florida Business License

Not required



General Business License licensure is not required on the State level in Florida.

Florida does not have a general business license at the state level, but local licenses are often required.

Local General Business Licenses

City of Boca Raton Business Tax Certificate of Use

Agency:City of Boca Raton Department of Development Services (FL)
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:No
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?No
Requirement Notes:

A Palm Beach County Application is required to be submitted along with a City of Boca Raton Application.

Initial Registration

Form:

Business License Registration Application

Filing Method:

Mail 

Agency Fee:

$28 application fee + $45 certificate of use fee + $45 code inspection fee + $45 fire inspection fee + $105 business tax

Required Attachments:
  • Attach a copy of Sunbiz for Corporation, Partnership, Limited Liability, etc.
  • Division of Corporation requires registration as a Fictitious Name; attach a copy
  • Attach of copy of each: Business Professional/Regulation/State Agency/Individual Licenses

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$105

Due:

Annually by September 30. 

City of Boynton Beach Business License

Agency:City of Boynton Beach Development Department (FL)
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:Yes
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?No

Initial Registration

Form:

Business License Registration Application 

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

Fee is determined by business type. 

Required Attachments:
  • Copy of your lease and other licenses if applicable
  • A printout of the Sunbiz online records or copies of the business entity’s filing documents, if the business is a corporation, LLC or partnership.
  • A printout of the Sunbiz online records or a copy of the Fictitious Name Registration, if using a fictitious name or "DBA"
  • A copy of your certification or license, if your trade or profession is regulated by another agency.
  • Materials Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for all hazardous materials to be used, if they will be stored at the business location.
  • Closing Statement or Bill of Sale, if you will be occupying property you recently purchased
  • Letter of Sharing from the current business at that location, if you will be sharing a space with an active business
  • Palm Beach County Local Business Tax Reciept 

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

Determined by business type. 

Due:

Annually by September 30. 

City of Chipley Business License

Agency:City of Chipley City Clerk (FL)
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:No
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?No

Initial Registration

Form:

Business Tax License Application

Filing Method:

Mail 

Agency Fee:

Fee determined by business type, see tax license fee schedule

Registration Renewal

Form:

 Business Tax License Application

Filing Method:

Mail 

Agency Fee:

Fee determined by business type, see tax license fee schedule

Due:

Annually by September 30. 

City of Debary Business Tax Reciept

Agency:City of Debary (FL)
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:Yes
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?No
Requirement Notes:

Volusia County Business Tax Receipt is required along side the City of DeBary Business Tax Reciept, a copy of any required state license, and a copy of the fictitous name registration. 

Initial Registration

Form:

Business Tax Receipt Registration Application

Filing Method:

Mail. 

Agency Fee:

Fee determined by business type + fire inspection fee

Fees may be prorated.

Registration Renewal

Form:

Business Tax Reciept Renewal Application

Filing Method:

Mail. 

Agency Fee:

Fee determined by business type + fire inspection fee

Due:

Annually by October 1. 

City of Doral Business License

Agency:City of Doral Department of Planning and Zoning (FL)
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:No
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?No
Requirement Notes:

A business located within the City of Doral is required to obtain both a city receipt and a County receipt.


The Local Business Tax Receipt and Certificate of Use must be displayed conspicuously at your place of business and in such a manner as to be open to the view of the public and subject to inspection by all duly authorized City of Doral officers.



The Occupational License office must be notified in writing regarding any changes to the following: business name or ownership, location, number of employees, equipment, machines or any other contingency.



If the business ceases operation, the owner must return the Local Business Tax Receipt to the Occupational License office.

Initial Registration

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

Determined by business type. 

Before you Apply:
  • You must get Derm approval on the applications and have the fire inspection report before submitting your paperwork to the city. Applications will not be accepted if these conditions have not been met. 
  • You must recieve approval for business use in the requested location. 
  • Once approval from the city of Doral has been obtained, the licensing division will provide you with the required documents to proceed with the next step.
  • The department of environmental resource management (derm) approval as well as fire inspection approval (you may not proceed until directed by the licensing division) is required
  • Once above requirements have been met (derm, fire) and any other approvals (example building permits and state licenses), you are ready to proceed to applying via the portal
  • To apply you must have all the below requirements met:
    • DERM Approval
    • Fire Inspection Approval
    • Corporate documents from Tallahassee. (Articles of Incorporation)
    • Document showing the Federal Employer Id from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
    • Fictitious Name (DBA) Registration from Tallahassee, if applicable.
    • Executed Lease Agreement or Sublease for proposed location. Copy of DEED required (if owner).
    • State license(s) (if applicable).
    • Copy of Certificate of Occupancy issued by City of Doral Building Department (if applicable).
Required Attachments:
  • Corporate documents from Tallahassee. (Articles of Incorporation)
    Document showing the Federal Employer Id from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
  • Fictitious Name (DBA) Registration from Tallahassee, if applicable.
    Executed Lease Agreement or Sublease for proposed location. Copy of DEED required (if owner).
  • State license(s) (if applicable).
  • Copy of Certificate of Occupancy issued by City of Doral Building Department (if applicable).

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

Determined by business type. 

Due:

Annually by Septemeber 30. 

City of Fort Lauderdale Business Tax

Agency:City of Fort Lauderdale Development Services - Business Tax
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:Yes
Ownership Requirements:
  • Corporations are registered with the Florida Secretary of State. For information call (850) 245-6052. Out of State corporations must register with the Secretary of State if they intend to use their corporate name. For information call (850) 245-6051.
  • If the business name used in your business does not include the full first name, and last name of the business owner, the business name would be considered a Fictitious Name, and must be registered with the Florida Secretary of State's Office, 850-245-6058
Insurance Requirements:

Certificate of Insurance Liability with the City of Fort Lauderdale (if applicable)

Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?No
Requirement Notes:

All new businesses require Zoning approval after an application is submitted

Initial Registration

Form:

Business Tax Registration Checklist 

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

Determined by business type and size. 

Required Attachments:
  • Photocopy of Fictitious Name Registration and/or Articles of Incorporation (if applicable)
  • Photocopy of a valid State License (State licensed professionals only)
  • Photocopy of your State Driver’s License with current address per Florida Statute 322.19
  • Photocopy of State License for Alcohol (if serving or selling alcohol)*City liquor measurement may be needed*
  • Photocopy of Certificate of Insurance Liability with the City of Fort Lauderdale (if applicable)
  • Photocopy of bill of sale or Tax signed by buyer and seller (if change of ownership)
  • Letter of approval from the Airport Manager (if business located at Executive Airport)

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

Determined by business type and size. 

Due:

Annually by September 30. 

City of Palm Beach Gardens Business Tax Receipt - Out of Town Business

Agency:City of Palm Beach Gardens (FL)
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:No
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?No
Requirement Notes:

Out of town businesses will need a current copy of local County Business Tax Reciept, copy of State license and/or Certificate of Competency, copy of General Liability (showing City of Palm Beach Gardens as the certificate holder), and a copy of Workers Compensation or Exemption. 

Initial Registration

Form:

Business License Registration  Out of town Application 

Filing Method:

Mail

Agency Fee:

$30 application fee

Required Attachments:

Copy of your local business tax receipt, certificate of insurance, and a copy of state license.

Registration Renewal

Instructions:

To log in to renew, ensure that you have the business tax number to review infromation. 

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

Renew your City of Palm Beach Gardens Business Tax Receipt if the fees are less than $5,000.00. Fees will be determined by business type. 

Due:

Annually by September 30.

Law:

(Ord. No. 7, 2010, § 1, 6-17-10)

Penalties:

Business tax receipts that are not renewed when due and payable are delinquent and subject to a delinquency penalty of ten percent for the month of October, plus an additional five percent for each subsequent month of delinquency until paid. However, the total delinquency penalty may not exceed 25% of the business tax for the delinquent establishment.

City of Pinellas Park Business Tax Reciept (Occupational License)

Agency:City of Pinellas Park (FL)
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:No
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?No

Initial Registration

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

Determined by gross reciepts. 

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

Determined by gross reciepts. 

Due:

Annually by September 30. 

City of Port St. Lucie Business Tax Receipt

Agency:City of Port St. Lucie Financial Management Department - Business Tax Division (FL)
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:No
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?No
Requirement Notes:

If you will be ioerating under a fictious name, you will have to register that name wit the Florida Divsion of Corporations. 

Initial Registration

Form:

Business Tax Receipt Registration Application 

Filing Method:

Mail 

Agency Fee:

Determined bybusiness type.Business Tax Receipts are pro-rated to half-year fee beginning April 1 for new businesses.

Before you Apply:
  • St Lucie County Tax Collectors Office requires that all businesses or professions located in St. Lucie County obtain a County Business Tax Receipt. The telephone number is 772-462-1650.
  • St Lucie County Property Appraisers Tangible Personal Property Tax – requires that all businesses apply. Tangible personal property is everything other than real estate that has value by itself. Anyone in possession of assets on January 1 who has either a proprietorship, partnership, corporation or is a selfemployee agent or contractor, must file each year. Property owners who lease or rent property to others must also file. The telephone number is 772-462- 1000.

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

Determined by business type. 

Due:

Annually by September 30. 

City of Sarasota Local Business Tax License

Agency:City of Sarasota Local Business Tax Division (FL)
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:No
Notes:
  • Businesses and licensed professionals operating within the City limits of Sarasota must pay a business tax.  This includes anyone doing business out of their home, if the home is located within the City limits.  A Business Tax paid for an office does not cover professionals working in that office.  Each person engaged in an occupation requiring a state license must pay a Professional Business Tax.
  • The Business Tax is required to be paid when the business begins operations. You will also need a Local Business Tax with Sarasota County. Contact the Sarasota County Tax Collector for more information.
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?No
Requirement Notes:

Prior to Applying for the City of Sarasota Business Tax applicants will need to:


Register your business (corporate name and/or fictitious name) with the Division of Corporations Florida Division of Corporations


Acquire a state license, if required, for your occupation.


Identify a location/address for your business within the City limits. Note: Before you sign any contract or lease, we recommend contacting our zoning division – 941-263-6432 or cityzoning@sarasotafl.gov to ensure that business type is allowed in that location. A zoning review will be conducted for all new businesses operating in the City of Sarasota. This also applies when moving a business from one location to another. There will be a $50.00 charge for the zoning review.

Initial Registration

Form:

Local Business Tax Application 

Filing Method:

Mail 

Agency Fee:

Determined by business type. See fee schedule. 

Registration Renewal

Instructions:

A copy of your renewal notice, current copy of your Sunbiz registration, current copy of your license, if any, must accompany your payment or there will be a delay in processing your renewal.

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

Determined by business type and payment of taxes. 

Due:

Annually by September 30. 

Notes:

Renewal Notices sent via regular mail are color coded for your convenience – Business tax renewals are PINK and Professional tax renewals are GREEN.  If you have BOTH a business and professional tax certificate, you will receive SEPARATE renewal notices for each.  These notices may arrive in separate envelopes.  When paying by check, you may combine your payment for both renewals; however separate tax certificates will be issued for the business and the professional.

City of Tampa Business Tax Receipt

Agency:City of Tampa Business Tax Supervisor (FL)
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:No
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?No

Initial Registration

Form:

New Business Tax Receipt Application

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

Determined by business type. 

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

Determined by business type. 

Due:

Annually by September 30. 

Penalties:
  • Receipts that are not renewed when due and payable are delinquent and subject to a delinquency penalty of 10 percent for the month of October, plus an additional 5 percent penalty for each subsequent month of delinquency until paid. However, the total delinquency penalty may not exceed 25 percent of the business tax for the delinquent establishment.
  • Any person who engages in or manages any business, occupation, or profession without first obtaining a local business tax receipt, if required, is subject to a penalty of 25 percent of the tax due, in addition to any other penalty provided by law or ordinance.

Duval County Local Business Tax Receipt

Agency:Duval County Tax Collector's Office (FL)
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:No
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?No
Requirement Notes:

See check list here. 

Initial Registration

Filing Method:

In person at the downtown office, 231 E Forsyth St. Suite 130, Jacksonville, FL 32202.

Agency Fee:

Fee determined by business type. 

Law:

(Ord. 80-765-409, § 2; Ord. 83-591-400, § 1)

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Mail, online or in person. 

Agency Fee:

Fee determined by business type. 

Due:

Annually by Septemeber 30.

Escambia County Business Tax Receipt License

Agency:Escambia County City Business Tax Receipt Department (FL)
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:No
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?No

Initial Registration

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$26.25 (Businesses that initially register from April through June pay half the standard fee.)

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$26.25

Due:

Annually by September 30.

Hillsborough County Local Business Tax Receipt

Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:No
Notes:
  • New businesses must obtain their Local Business Tax Receipt prior to engaging in their enterprise. The tax period is from Sept 1 to Sept 30 of the next year.  Businesses seeking new Local Business Tax Receipt between April 1st and June 30th will be issued a tax receipt at a half year rate.
  • All businesses must file a Tangible Personal Property Tax Return, with the Property Appraiser, (813) 272-6100 before April 1st.
    • The business tax year runs from October 1 to September 30 of the following year.
    • If the Tangible Personal Property Tax is not paid, a Tax Warrant will be issued. Personal Property Taxes follow the equipment, NOT the owner. When purchasing an existing business, make sure a TAX SEARCH has been done.
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?No

Initial Registration

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

Fee/tax determined by business type. 

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

Fee/tax is determined by business type. 

Due:

Annually by July 1. 

Required Attachments:

If your business, profession, or occupation is regulated by the state or county agencies, a copy of the documents verifying compliance may be required by our office prior to renewing your business tax receipt online. This documentation can be sent to our office via email to businesstax@hillstax.org or you may fax it to (813) 612-6748.

A local business tax receipt is issued by the Tax Collector on behalf of the Board of County Commissioners for the privilege of operating a business in Lee County. Anyone providing merchandise or services to the public within the jurisdiction of Lee County, even a one-person company or home-based occupation, must obtain a Lee County business tax account to operate unless specifically exempted.

Lee County Local Business Tax License

Agency:Lee County Tax Collector (FL)
Law:

 Florida Statute 205.053

Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:No
Notes:

Currently these are the cities that have a city business tax requirement: Fort Myers, Cape Coral, and Sanibel.

Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?No

Initial Registration

Form:

Local Tax License Registration Application 

Filing Method:

Mail

Agency Fee:

Full Year Fee (Oct – Sept): $50.00, Half Year Fee (Apr – Jun): $25.00 , Quarter Year Fee (Jul – Sept): $12.50. 

Registration Renewal

Form:

Local Business Tax License Registration Application (Renewal)

Filing Method:

Mail 

Agency Fee:

$50

Due:

Annually by September 30. 

Lynn Haven Business Tax Certificate

Agency:Lynn Haven Building Department - Business Tax Section (FL)
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:No
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?No

Initial Registration

Form:

Business License Application

Agency Fee:

Varies by business activity. Unspecified businesses pay a fee of $50.

Registration Renewal

Form:

Business License Application (Renewal)

Agency Fee:

Varies by business activity. Unspecified businesses pay a fee of $50.

Due:

Annually by September 30.

Miramar Business Tax Receipt

Agency:Miramar Financial Services Department - Business Tax Division (FL)
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:No
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?No

Initial Registration

Form:

Business Tax Receipt Application

Agency Fee:

$25 application fee + license fee determined by business type.

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

The renewal fee is determined by business type and inventory.

Due:

Annually by September 30.

Orange County Business Tax Receipt

Agency:Orange County Tax Collector - Business Tax Department (FL)
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:No
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?No

Initial Registration

Form:

Business Tax Application and Declaration

Agency Fee:

Fees vary by business activities and other factors.

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Mail, in-person, or online.

Agency Fee:

Fees vary by business activities and other factors.

Due:

Annually by September 30.

Notes:

Renewal notices/forms are sent in the mail prior to expiration.

Palm Beach County Local Business Tax Receipt

Agency:Palm Beach County Tax Collector Business Tax Department (FL)
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:No
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?No
Requirement Notes:

Applications will require a copy of fictious name registration, zoning approval , and copies of state or county certifications/licenses. 

Initial Registration

Form:

Local Business Tax Receipt Registration Application 

Filing Method:

Mail or in person. 

Agency Fee:

Once the application has been processed, a client service specialist will call to provide payment instructions.

Registration Renewal

Form:

Local Business Tax Receipt Registratoin Application (Renewal)

Filing Method:

Mail

Agency Fee:

Once the application has been processed, a client service specialist will call to provide payment instructions

Due:

Annually by September 30.

Penalties:

Deliquent fees are effective on October 1. See here for schedule. 

Palm Springs Business Permit

Agency:Village of Palm Springs Zoning & Building Department (FL)
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:No
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?No

Initial Registration

Filing Method:

In person

Agency Fee:

$50 permit fee. The fee is pro-rated to $25 for entities that apply for a license between April 1 and October 1.

Notes:

Applications must be requested from the department.

Registration Renewal

Agency Fee:

$50

Due:

Annually by October 1.

Pasco County Business Tax Reciept (Occupational License)

Agency:Pasco County Tax Collector Office - Office of Economic Growth (FL)
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:No
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?No

Initial Registration

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

Determined by business type. Fee will advised once application is complete. 

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Onlne

Due:

Annually by September 30.

Pensacola Business Tax Receipt

Agency:Pensacola Planning & Zoning Division - Business License Section (FL)
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:No
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?No

Initial Registration

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

Fees vary by business type.

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

Fees vary by business type.

Due:

Annually by September 30.

Volusia County Business Tax Reciept

Agency:Volusia County Department of Business Services - Revenue Services (FL)
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:No
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?No

Initial Registration

Filing Method:

Online

Turnaround:

2 to 5 business days. 

Required Attachments:

Social Secuirty number or Federal Employer ID number

Fictitious name registration 

State License Number 

"Speciality" Contractor License 

City License Number

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

 Based on businesss type + convenience fees.

Credit card payment convenience fee = 2.6% w/$1.95 minimum. E-Check payment convenience fee = $1.50.

Due:

Annually by October 1. Bills for each year are mailed July 1. A new receipt is issued for each year the tax is paid.

Learn about general business licensing requirements in other states:

Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware District of Columbia Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho
Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri
Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania
Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming

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Revised June 17, 2022. Complete data last reviewed August 04, 2017.
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