LICENSING SERVICES

Download Business Tax Receipt Application Here

Thank you for locating your business in our City. Before applying for your Local Business Tax Receipt (formerly known as an occupational license), please take the time to read the following guidelines. You will find answers to many of your questions and, hopefully, this section will help you to obtain the required documents to operate your business.

All persons who operate a business or profession in the City of Temple Terrace are required to pay a fee to obtain and maintain a
Local Business Tax Receipt.

WHO DOES NOT NEED A LICENSE?
If you do not maintain a permanent business or branch office in the City of Temple Terrace, but do practice contracting, exterminating, fumigating, or landscaping, (including yard and lawn maintenance), etc. within the City, you do not need a business license. However, you must register annually with the City's Department of Community Development.

OPENING A NEW BUSINESS IS A THREE STEP PROCESS

1. VERIFY ZONING

You need to determine if your business is in a correctly zoned area.

2. APPLY FOR BUILDING PERMITS OR INSPECTIONS

Remodeling or renovating an existing store or office may require a building permit. The Community Development Department will help you determine what permits you may need. Also, please pre-plan your activities and remember that inspections must occur on a timely basis. Also, a Certificate of Occupancy is required before the business may begin operating. The City is not responsible for a contractor's failure to complete his work on time nor his failure to schedule the required inspections prior to the planned opening date. The Fire Department determines if it is necessary to perform a walk-through inspection. Once your Final Building Inspection is completed, please allow some time to process your Certificate of Occupancy. Clearances may be needed from other City departments.

3. APPLY FOR YOUR LOCAL BUSINESS TAX RECEIPT (formerly Occupational License)

Please submit a completed application to the Finance Department's Customer Service division two weeks before the business opens. Failure to complete this step may result in the denial of your tax receipt. All licenses relevant to your business need to be attached to your application; i.e., State Professional License (D.P.R.), Division of Hotels/Restaurants, Alcohol License and health permits. A Hillsborough County tax receipt (occupational license) is required and posting of such documents is required by ordinance. After you receive your receipt, please display it in a visible area.
Download Business Tax Receipt Application Here.

FEES
Fees are assessed when you submit your application. In addition to these fees, there is a $25 application fee. Tax receipt payments
are due and payable by October 1 of each year and expire on September 30. (Half-year licenses apply to any new business opening after April 1 and expiring on September 30.) You will be notified by mail when it is time to renew your tax receipt. We wish you much success in your business endeavor. The staff of the Community Services and the Finance Departments are happy to answer any of your questions regarding this process, and wish you much success in your business endeavor.

USEFUL TELEPHONE NUMBERS
Community Development - (813) 506-6460
Finance & Administration - (813) 506-6410
Hillsborough County Tax Collector (Occupational License Division) - (813) 272-6040
Hillsborough County Health Department - (813) 272-6200
Division of Hotels & Restaurants - (813) 272-2200
Alcohol Beverage and Tobacco - (813) 272-2610
Child Care Licensing - (813) 272-6487
State of Florida Department of Professional Regulation (Customer Service) - (800) 342-7940