A foundational permit required by most municipalities to operate any business within their jurisdiction. Demonstrates that your business is registered and complies with local requirements.
Updated as of May 2026A general business license is a local document, but state context shapes the price. Below is a representative spread across the active markets we cover. Click any state for the full guide.
| State | Typical cost | State note |
|---|---|---|
| California | $65–$520 | California has some of the most comprehensive licensing requirements in the US. |
| New York | $65–$520 | New York City has additional licensing requirements beyond state level. |
| Texas | $50–$400 | Texas has no state income tax. Licensing varies by city and county. |
| Florida | $50–$400 | Florida has no state income tax but requires local business tax receipts. |
| Illinois | $50–$400 | Illinois has complex tax requirements that vary by municipality. |
| Massachusetts | $65–$520 | Massachusetts has extensive professional licensing through DPL. |
| Washington | $65–$520 | Washington has no state income tax but requires a UBI number. |
| Nevada | $50–$400 | Nevada has no state income tax and a streamlined licensing process. |
| Tennessee | $40–$320 | Tennessee has no state income tax on wages but has high sales tax. |
| South Dakota | $40–$320 | South Dakota has no state income tax and minimal licensing requirements. |
Specific documents vary by city. Most US cities now accept online applications and turn them around in 1-2 weeks.
A general business license typically costs between $50 and $400. Fees scale with city size: major metros like New York and Los Angeles charge roughly 30–40% more than the national average, while smaller cities and towns often charge 15–20% less. See the state-by-state cost breakdown above for adjusted ranges.
A foundational permit required by most municipalities to operate any business within their jurisdiction. Demonstrates that your business is registered and complies with local requirements. If you're operating a business that falls under this category — even part-time or out of a home — most US jurisdictions require this license before you can legally serve customers.
Processing time is typically 1-2 weeks once a complete application is submitted. Larger cities and certain states (CA, NY, MA) trend toward the upper end of that range due to higher application volumes. Submitting an incomplete application is the single most common reason for delays.
A general business license renews on a annual cycle. Renewal fees are typically 60–70% of the initial fee. Most cities send renewal notices 30–60 days before expiration — but missing the window often means re-applying from scratch, not paying a late fee.
In most US cities, yes — the majority of municipalities now accept general business license applications through their online business-licensing portals. Check the specific city page for your jurisdiction to see whether city => 'the city' has a fully online flow or still requires in-person submission of certain documents.
Select a city below for local requirements, costs, and application steps.