We are here to help!

Phone     (623) 333-2001
Email       bizlic@avondaleaz.gov

Do you have a fixed business location inside of Avondale?

• If your answer is NO, then you do not need an Avondale business license.
• If your answer is YES, then you do need an Avondale business license, unless you qualify for an exemption (see below).
  
  

Examples of Businesses that do need a business license.

• Typical fixed location business (brick & mortar) in Avondale
  Retail store Grocery store Car dealership Bakery Gas station Restaurant/bar Movie theater Barber shop/salon	Professional/medical office Laundromat Distribution center Sales office Warehouse Commercial real property rental Mobile vendor office/yard Tire shop	Automobile repair shop Real estate office Pool supplies/materials Construction contractor office/yard Manufacturing plant Bank/financial institution
  Home based business in Avondale
  Pool cleaning Construction contractor	Online retail sales Accountant/bookkeeper	Consultant Caterer

Exemptions – License Not Required

• 1. Employees of licensed business delivering goods
  Pizza delivery	Retailer with employee delivery drivers
  2. Government entity conducting official business
  City of Avondale Maricopa County	Agency or Department of the United States of America Agency or Department of the State of Arizona
  3. Organization who engages in business activity which is for a bona fide nonprofit purpose and maintains an exempt status under section 501 of the internal revenue service code
  Charitable Organization	Religious Organization	Social Welfare Organization
  4. Individual engaging in a casual activity or sale
  Sales which are private in nature, such as the sale of a personal automobile, homemade artifact, or garage sale item, on no more than four (4) separate occasions during any calendar year
  5. A person engaging in business activity that solely provides educational lessons or tutoring on an individual basis from a non-commercial location
  Music, language, cooking, swimming, tutoring or other educational lessons
  6. Independent contractor and or sales representative who is not registered as a separate legal entity and only offers products or services on behalf of a parent organization
  Sale of health and beauty products, kitchen utensils, jewelry, beautician services or other services or products
  7. Any person exempted by federal or state law from business licensing requirements including, but not limited to those exempted by A.R.S. §§ 3-563, 4-223, 9-491.01, 9-491.02, 9- 1304, 20-1098.17, and 41-2052; or assisted living facilities or group homes, as defined by A.R.S. §§ 36-401 & 36-551
  Childcare or babysitting business Assisted living facility or group home business	Insurance sales representative Taxi or livery vehicle service business Real estate sales representative	Residential rental Including apartment and short-term rental

Business License – Annual

• Businesses apply for a business license by completing and submitting a Business License Application and paying an applicable fee (see table below).
• Business licenses expire on December 31 every year.

• Application Submit Period	Application Fee	Annual Fee	Total Fee
  Jan – Mar	$25.00	$40.00	$65.00
  Apr – Jun	$25.00	$30.00	$55.00
  Jul – Sep	$25.00	$20.00	$45.00
  Oct – Dec	$25.00	$10.00	$35.00

Business License – Renewal

• Annual renewal fee is $40 per license.
• Renewals are mailed out during last week of November every year.
• Renewals are due and payable on January 01 every year.
• An additional late fee may be charged for a delinquent renewal.

Application Process & Assistance Options

• Application processing time for a business license is 10-15 business days.
• If an applicant is denied a business license, a detailed notification will be sent by mail and the annual fee will be refunded.
• Applicants who intend to operate a home-based business, must also complete and submit a Home Occupation Supplemental Questionnaire along with the business license application.
• Applicants who intend to sell door-to-door must obtain a peddler’s permit from Avondale's City Clerk's Department. For more information, please review the Peddler Permit Information document.
• Zoning and permit questions should be directed to the Development & Engineering Service Department at (623) 333-4000.
• Fire safety questions should be directed to the Fire & Medical Department at (623) 333-6000.
• All other application questions should be directed to the Finance & Budget Department at (623) 333-2001 or bizlic@avondaleaz.gov.

Documents

• Business License Application
• Home Occupation Supplemental Questionnaire
• Peddler Permit Information

 Other Resources

• For more information about starting a business, please see our Start A Business webpage.