Q.  Does the City of Phoenix have or require a “general” business license?

A. No, the City of Phoenix does not have or require a “general” business license.  Only certain activities are regulated, and require a license/permit from the City of Phoenix.

Depending on your business activity/set-up you may need licenses/permits/approvals from the following City of Phoenix Departments:  

License Services:

• Amusements: Coin Operated Games, Rides, Concessionaires, Game Centers, Pool Halls & Teenage Dance Halls
• Auction Houses & Auctioneers
• Curb painters
• Escort Bureaus & Escorts
• Massage Establishments & Managers
• Sexually Oriented Businesses & Managers, Adult Cabaret Performers & Erotic Entertainers
• Vending: Street Vending, Mobile Vending, Secondhand Dealers, Scrap Metal Dealers, and Swap Meet Lots.
• Liquor Licenses
• Off-track Betting
• Bingo

Finance Department:

• Privilege (Sales) and Use Tax Licenses
• Sidewalk Vending Downtown

Planning and Development Department: Building & Zoning Permits

Parks & Recreation:  Permits for Events in City Parks & Streets

Fire Department:   Public Assembly & Tents/Canopy Permits

Police Department:   Alarm Business & Alarm Agent Permits

Film Office:  Film & Digital Media Permit

>> If you will also be conducting business in any surrounding cities, please check with each of those individual cities on any rules, regulations or requirements to conduct business there.

Other State/County licensing/permitting:

AZ Department of Liquor License & Control:  State Liquor License 

AZ Department of Revenue:  State Privilege Tax License  

AZ Corporation Commission:  Create/Register a Corporation or LLC

AZ Secretary of State:  Register a Trade Name 

Maricopa County Environmental Health:  Food Program Permits

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