Business License Information
Description: Any person(s) engaging in any sort of businesses, callings, or professions within the corporate limits of the city; or who conducts a business outside the corporate limits of the city and who solicits, canvasses, advertises, or delivers products or performs services within the city limits, shall procure from the city a business license. It is unlawful for any person to engage in any business for which a City Business License is required without having first obtained such license. If the application and payment of the license fee are not received in our office within 30 days of the start of business, a delinquent license penalty of $12.50 may be assessed.
Code: Peoria City Code Sec. 11-52 Business Licenses; required.
Business License Fees
$45.00 (Business License fee of $25.00 and a one-time application fee of $20.00). License and application fees are non-refundable or transferable.
Annual Renewal
Any City Business License is valid only for the calendar year in which it is issued. City Business License expires on December 31 of each year and must be renewed annually. The City will automatically bill the annual license renewal fee unless you request a cancellation of your City Business License. The renewal fee of $25.00 must be received by the License Division by the last business day in January of each year or a penalty of $12.50 will be assessed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Read a list of Frequently Asked Questions about Business Licenses.
Multiple Locations in Peoria
A separate City Business License and applicable fees are required for each location of a business located in Peoria city limits.
Residential Rentals
Persons who engage in the business activity of leasing or renting their residential rental property are not required to obtain a Peoria Business License. However, a Transaction Privilege Sales Tax license is required through www.aztaxes.gov. Please visit https://azdor.gov/transaction-privilege-tax/residential-rental-guidelines for more information.
Applications for businesses located in Peoria city limits may be processed by:
- Peoria Business Licensing Division
- Peoria Police Department
- Planning & Community Development
- Peoria Fire Department
- Building Development
To avoid delays in the approval of a business license, please contact the appropriate city departments to see if any additional documents/permits are required.
Planning & Community Development
As part of the business license approval process, the Planning & Community Development department verifies a business being conducted out of a residential property (Home Occupation) is following all the City Code requirements related to a Home Occupation business. View Peoria City Code Sec. 21-809 Home Occupations
To avoid delays in the business license approval, please contact the Planning & Community Development department to verify if your Home Occupation business meets all the requirements. The Planning & Community Development department can be reached at 623-773-7200 or planning@peoriaaz.gov
Building Development
As part of the business license approval process, the Building Development department will verify that new commercial businesses located in Peoria City limits have obtained the appropriate building permit(s). A newly constructed building will need its Certificate of Occupancy or equivalent before a business license can be approved. View a list of building improvements that require a permit (PDF)
To avoid delays in the business license approval, please contact Building Development to determine if a permit is required at your business location. The Building Development department can be reached at 623-773-7225 or building.applications@peoriaaz.gov
If a building permit is required, it could delay the license approval process and you may be asked to reapply for your business license once all permit requirements have been met and repay the license application fee of $45. To avoid this delay and additional costs, please contact Building Development prior to applying for a license.
Fire-Medical Department
As part of the business license approval process, the Fire-Medical Department may require certain types of businesses located in Peoria City limits to obtain an annual operational permit. View a list of business activities that require an operational permit (PDF)
To avoid delays in the business license approval, please contact the Fire-Medical Department to determine if an operational permit is required at your business location. The Fire-Medical Department can be reached at 623-773-7275 or firepermits@peoriaaz.gov
If an Operational Permit is required, it could delay the license approval process and you may be asked to reapply for your business license one all permits have been met and repay the fee of $45. To avoid this, please contact the Fire Department prior to applying for a license.
Application Timeframe
Not to exceed 30 days from time of application acceptance. Upon approval, a Peoria Business License Certificate will be mailed.
New License Application Process
Effective September 30, 2019 we are now processing business license applications online. This will greatly streamline the application process, providing you with faster and more efficient service.
