In most of the United States, the business license you actually need comes from your city or county — not the state. That means the office you apply to, the form you fill out, the fee you pay, and the wait time before you can open your doors all depend on where exactly your business is located. A business in Houston faces completely different requirements than one in Austin, even though both are in Texas. These guides cover the specifics for individual cities: the name of the office, the current fee, how long approval takes, whether you can apply online, and what local quirks to watch out for. If your city is listed here, skip the state guide and go straight to yours.
City business license guide Last updated: April 29, 2026 Starting a business in Louisville usually means checking more than one office. The local step most owners should look at first is not a simple one-page city business license. Louisville uses an occupational license tax system, handled by the Louisville Metro Revenue Commission. You may also … Read more
City business license guide Last updated: April 30, 2026 Starting a business in Chicago usually means checking more than one office. The City of Chicago may require a city business license through the Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection, often called BACP. Your location must also clear zoning review. Some businesses also need food, … Read more
City business license guide Last updated: April 30, 2026 Starting or running a business in Philadelphia can involve more than one filing. The main city license is called a Commercial Activity License. You may also need a Philadelphia tax account, zoning approval, a certificate of occupancy, a state tax account, a state filing, or a … Read more
City business license guide Last updated: April 27, 2026 This guide is for people starting or running a business inside the City of Los Angeles. Los Angeles uses a local business tax registration system. The city, county, state, and federal layers are separate, so one filing may not cover the full permit stack. Use this … Read more
