Local Business Tax Receipts (formerly Occupational Licenses);

Businesses can renew their Local Business Tax Receipt (formerly occupational license) online. You will need your Local Business Tax Receipt (formerly Occupational license) account number from your renewal card. The annual renewal fee is $26.25. 

• Payment by E-Check (electronic check) - no convenience fee
  
• Payment by credit card ($2.00 per transaction convenience fee)

Renew your Local Business Tax Receipt (formerly occupational license) online now.

Local Business Tax Receipts (formerly Occupational licenses) are permits for conducting business within Escambia County and are administered through the local Tax Collector's office.  Local Business Tax Receipts (formerly Occupational Licenses) are renewable during July,August and September of each year, with September 30 marked as the expiration date of each.  Fees for these Local Business Tax Receipts (formerly Occupational Licenses) are $26.25 annually.  Businesses that do not maintain a current Escambia County Local Business Tax Receipt (formerly Occupational license) are subject to a $250.00 fine by the Tax Collector.

While the requirement for obtaining most Local Business Tax Receipts (formerly Occupational Licenses) is to fill out a simple application, there are sometimes other conditions of City, County, State, or Federal agencies to be met before a license can be issued.  The following information should be helpful in determining how to start a business in Escambia County.

1. Businesses located in Escambia County (whether inside or outside the city limits) need an Escambia County Local Business Tax Receipt (formerly occupational license) obtained from the Tax Collector.
   
2. Businesses located within the City of Pensacola limits require a city Local Business Tax Receipt as well as an Escambia County Local Business Tax Receipt (formerly Occupational License)  If the nature of the business takes owners or employees inside the city limits to conduct business, even though the business establishment is in the county, it may be necessary to obtain a city Local Business Tax Receipt also.  Information on city Local Business Tax Receipts (formerly Occupational License) is available at:
   City Local Business Tax Receipt (formerly Occupational License Department)
   City Hall, Fourth Floor
   Government and Spring Streets
   P.O. Box 12910
   Pensacola, FL  32521         Phone: 850-436-5693
   
3. Sales and tax exemption numbers are acquired from:
   Florida Department of Revenue
   3670 North "L" Street, Building C
   Pensacola, FL  32505         Phone: 850-595-5170
   
4. Certain businesses require inspection before a Local Business Tax Receipt (formerly occupational license) can be issued in Escambia County.
   
   The following businesses are inspected by the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, Division of Hotels and Restaurants, Panama City Beach District #6.
   Phone: 850-487-1395
   -Restaurants
   -Food Concessions
   -Mobile Food Units
   -Take-Out
   -Catering
   
   The Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services inspects the following: 
   Phone: 800-435-7352
   -Grocery Stores
   -Bakeries
   -Food Processing Plants
   -Bottling Plants
   -Ice Plants
   -Seafood Vendors
   -Juice/Sno-Cone Concessions
   
   Dental labs are approved by the DPR Board of Dentistry Fax: 850-488-6015
   
5. Contracting businesses should check with the Escambia County Construction Industry Competency Board to see if a test is required for their particular type of contracting.  For information, contact:
   Escambia County Construction Industry Competency Board
   3300 N Pace Bv Ste 300
   Pensacola, FL  32505           Phone:850-595-3488
   
6. Some businesses require state licenses.  For information regarding Department of Professional Regulation licensing and other Florida state requirements, call the local state information number.
   Phone: 850-453-7525
   
7. Information on how to establish a corporation is available from:
   Secretary of State
   Corporation Division (How to File)
   Capitol Building
   Tallahassee, FL  32304          Phone:850-488-9000
   
8. Income tax and employer identification number may be obtained from:
   Internal Revenue Service
   One Pensacola Plaza Building
   125 West Romana Street
   Pensacola, FL  32501             Phone:800-829-1040
   
9. Any business owner operating under a name other than his given legal name must register for a fictitious business name. Contact:
   Fictitious Name Registration
   P.O. Box 6327
   Tallahassee, FL  32314   Phone:850-488-9000
   
10. Some businesses may need to obtain a Solid Waste Management Permit. For information, contact:
    Solid Waste Management
    13009 Beulah Road
    Cantonment, FL  32533
    (850) 937-2176
    
11. For an alcoholic beverage license, apply to:
    Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco
    4900 Bayou Blvd., Ste. 210
    Pensacola, FL  32503-2532      Phone:850-494-5970

In addition to the information provided here, an excellent source of new business information is the Small Business Development Center at UWF.  Consulting services and workshops are available, and most are free.  For information contact:
The Small Business Development Center at UWF
401 East Chase Street, Suite 100
Pensacola, FL  32502              Phone:850-595-0063