How to Get a Business License in Miami — 2026 Guide
Quick Overview
Starting a business in Miami, FL requires registrations across federal, state, county, and city agencies. The primary registration is the Business Tax Receipt (BTR) — CITY + COUNTY required.
Difficulty: 5-7/10. No state business license. No state income tax. Local Business Tax Receipt required by most cities/counties.
PermitBoard generates a complete, ordered roadmap for your specific business type in Miami — with fees, timelines, and direct links to every form. Get My Roadmap →
Should You Start a Business in Miami?
✔ Pros:
- Large market (450K population)
- City licence fee: $100–$300
- 2-6 weeks estimated processing time
- No state franchise tax
⚠ Cons:
- Moderate complexity — standard multi-agency process
- TWO Business Tax Receipts required — City AND Miami-Dade County
👉 Bottom line: Business-friendly environment with straightforward permit process.
What You'll Pay
Upfront Costs
| Permit | Fee | Agency |
|---|---|---|
| EIN (federal tax ID) | Free | IRS |
| LLC filing | $125 LLC | FL Secretary of State |
| Seller's permit | Varies | State tax agency |
| Business Tax Receipt (BTR) — CITY + COUNTY required | $100–$300 | City licensing office |
| County health permit (food businesses) | $300–$800 | Regulatory & Economic Resources |
General business total: $100–$300. Restaurant total: $200–$1,000+.
Ongoing Costs
| Obligation | Amount | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Business Tax Receipt (BTR) — CITY + COUNTY required renewal | $100–$300 | Annual (due September 30 each year) |
| County health permit renewal | $300–$800 | Annual |
The Permit Stack
Step 1: Federal: EIN from IRS (free, instant online)
Step 2: State: LLC/Corp filing + seller's permit/sales tax registration
Step 3: County: health department permit + fire inspection
Step 4: City: business licence/tax certificate
File your LLC online: sunbiz.org
Apply for city licence: https://www.miamigov.com
By Business Type
Restaurant: City business licence + county health permit + fire inspection. Alcohol requires separate state/local liquor licence.
Food Truck: Mobile food vendor permit (city) + county health permit. Some cities limit permits.
Home Based: Home occupation permit. Zoning approval required. Often cheapest category.
Retail: Standard business licence. Lower complexity than food businesses.
Contractor: State contractor licence often required in addition to city licence.
Catering: County health permit + city business licence. Commercial kitchen requirement.
Temporary Food Vendor: Temporary food permit from county health department.
What Most People Miss
- TWO Business Tax Receipts required — City AND Miami-Dade County
- Certificate of Use required BEFORE BTR application — prerequisite
- County DERM environmental review may be required for CU
- Individual BTRs for EACH state-licensed employee
- Background checks for some business types
- Renewal deadline: September 30 each year
Key Contacts
Miami Licensing
Phone: 305-416-1570
444 SW 2nd Ave, Miami, FL 33130
https://www.miamigov.com
Regulatory & Economic Resources (Miami-Dade County)
Phone: (305) 375-3000
https://www.miamidade.gov/global/economy
Timeline
Estimated total: 2-6 weeks from EIN to fully licensed, assuming no zoning issues or inspection delays.
Don't Guess — Get Your Roadmap
Every business type has different requirements. PermitBoard analyzes your specific business type against Miami's actual requirements and gives you a step-by-step plan with fees, timelines, and direct links to every form.
Get My Permit Roadmap for Miami →
Nearby Cities
Starting a business nearby? See our guides: