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Business Licenses
Who Needs a Business License?
- Businesses located in commercial or industrial zones.
- Home based businesses that have an impact on their neighborhood as defined by city ordinance. See below for more information on home based businesses.
City Code Chapter 3 Article 4 outlines business license regulations. In 2019, City Council made changes to the home business license requirements which can be found in Ordinance 644 - Home Based Businesses.
Renewing your Business License
All business licenses are valid for one calendar year, and expire on December 31st. A business license renewal reminder will be mailed to all licensed businesses in December of each year. If you close your business, please contact the City so that we may update our records. Home Based Business
A home occupation within a dwelling that (1) complies with all of the use limitations for the district in which it is located and (2) MINIMALLY changes the existing noise, traffic, odor, outdoor external storage or external lighting requirements of the neighborhood as determined by the Zoning Administrator is required to be registered with the City. Minimal impact for registration purposes shall mean a permitted business with actual or anticipated:- Business traffic to or from the residence in excess of five (5) vehicles per day,
- Requiring the external storage used in the home occupation,
- Businesses having one (1) or more business related signs displayed and visible to the outside,
- Business having more than two (2) on site employees other than a members of the immediate family permanently occupying such residence,
- Business raising certain public health, public safety, or public welfare concern determined to be minimal by the Police Chief or City Zoning Administrator.
Tier one home occupations are not required to register. Some examples include:
- Administrative offices of business/trade
- Arts and crafts activities
- Baking/catering
- Beauty salon
- Clerical/secretarial
- Day-time adult care
- Direct sales
- Floral or interior design
- Jewelry, watch, clock repair; engraving; locksmith;
- Maid, laundry service
- Internet business
- Professional or administrative offices (including psychological, lawyer, accountant, engineer, architect or similar)
- Photography
- Picture framing
- Scissors, saw, blade sharpening Small electronics repair
- Seamstress, tailoring,
- Tutoring, education or training
Tier Two home occupations are required to register. Some examples include:
Occupations similar to those listed in TIER ONE column but additionally having the following actual or anticipated requirements:
- External storage used for the home occupation
- Having one (1) or more business-related sign visible from outside. Business-related vehicles are excluded from this limitation. Refer to the City Sign Code.
- Business traffic to or from the residence in excess of five (5) vehicles per day,
- More than two (2) on-site employees other than members of the immediate family permanently occupying such residence.
As determined by the Police Chief or City Zoning Administrator Business raising public health, public safety, or public welfare concerns
Tier three home occupations require a conditional use permit. If the City Zoning Administrator determines an applicant shall be required to obtain a conditional use permit, before registering, that applicant may request the planning commission review that determination. If a majority of the planning commission determines that home occupation should only be required to register, the Planning Commission's determination shall be final.
All other home occupations.
Generally, these are home occupations which may be substantially similar to those allowed in tier one or tier two but anticipated to create a greater impact than typically exists in Bel Aire for those categories of home occupations, or are occupations raising public health, safety, or welfare concerns for residents as determined by the City Zoning Administrator or Chief of Police.