Basic Information

Your first step in acquiring your occupational license will be to complete the occupational license application form, which is available online or at our offices.

When you submit your license application to the Licensing Division of Community Development, please attach copies of the following basic items: your companies fictitious name or corporation documents from Tallahassee, and any professional and/or competency licensure related to your type of business. Contact for Fictitious Name Department and State Division of Corporations – 850-488-9000 or online at www.sunbiz.org. The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation licenses many occupations. A list of these occupations and requirements for licensing can be found at www.state.fl.us/dbpr/.

You will notice that the application asks basic questions such as the name of business, business address, type of business, etc. Your answers to these questions, along with your floor plan and parking plan, help us determine what review processes and related fees are involved. As soon as your application has been reviewed you will be notified as to the status of your request and related fees. Occupational licenses are valid for one year from October 1st through September 30th.

Changing Locations

If your business moves to a new location within our city limits, your existing occupational license can be transferred IF the new location conforms to the land development code (zoning). A new license tax application will be required along with a floor plan and paring plan for the new location and any related county, state or federal licenses and or registrations referencing the address change.

Name or Ownership Changes

If you are only making a name change or an ownership transfer, you will still need to complete a license application. If your business is regulated by state or county agencies, we need a copy of the updated documents these agencies have provided. In order to transfer an existing license, the current City of St Pete Beach Occupational License must be surrendered and a transfer fee of up to 10% of the annual tax, but not less than $3.00 nor more than $25.00 paid. By attaching the previous owners current paid license, you can take advantage of a lower fee.

Miscellaneous Requirements

If you are making alterations to the building you will be occupying you will be required to have a licensed contractor obtain building permits for this work. Your contractor will coordinate final inspections when the work is completed. Your occupational license tax cannot be issued until all final inspections are approved. If you have questions about this process, please contact the Building Services Division at 363-9241.

A Fire Inspection of the premises is required for all new businesses and ownership changes before the license can be issued. The inspection is done after any alterations are complete and the business is completely set up. The inspection can be requested after submittal of your license application. Please call 893-9885 to schedule the inspection.

If you plan on having a sign for your business, a licensed sign contractor will be required to apply for a permit. If you should have questions about this process, please call Lisa Giddens at 363-9237.

Home Occupations

Certain occupations are permitted as Home Occupations. For further information please E-mail the division or call (727) 363-9242.

Non-St. Pete Beach Businesses Operating in the City

Any non-St Pete Beach based business operating within the City of St Pete Beach (e.g. contractor, lawn service, cleaning service, etc.) must register with the City of St Pete Beach. If your business holds a valid occupational license from another local jurisdiction, you must present the valid license to the Community Development Department, along with any other required state license and/or local construction board license. There is a $15.00 yearly registration fee assessed, except for contractors licensed through DBPR. The license year runs from October 1st through September 30th. There are no partial year pro-rations for registrations.