Business Operating Information

Business Licenses/ Permitting/ Revenue

Mobile
A license to operate each separate business activity within the city limits of Mobile requires payment of an annual license fee due January 1 of each year. This fee is set for the first year of operation based on a 60-day affidavit of gross receipts, even if it is a partial year, and then it is based on the type of business and gross revenues generated. The first year license deposit and issuance fee is $121.00. Persons starting a business after July 1 will be charged 50% of the first year’s rate. This effort must be completed before seeking a combined state or county license.
For more information contact: City of Mobile Revenue Department/ Mobile Business Center
Government Plaza Building
205 Government Street
Mobile, AL 36602
(251) 208-7462

If your business is located in the City of Mobile, you may need to contact the City of Mobile Zoning Department:
Mobile Government Plaza
205 Government Street (3rd floor)
(251) 208-5895

The Urban Development Department is responsible for the health, safety and general welfare of the citizens of Mobile before, during and after development/construction by focusing on community development; regulating and enforcing the vast number of codes, laws, acts, regulations and ordinances related to development and construction within the City of Mobile. Specific information and permit applications can be found on their website or for more information contact the Urban Planning Department. Downtown Office

Certain other businesses will be required to obtain clearance with the City of Mobile Police Department before they can be licensed and have a tax and license account established.
City of Mobile Police Department
2460 Government Street
Mobile, AL 36606
(251) 208-7211

If your business operations involve the purchase, processing or sale of food items, overnight lodging, day care, body art or tattooing, a permit may be required by the Mobile County Health Department. Certain businesses dealing with food and beverages must obtain a Health Department Inspection Certificate
Mobile County Health Department
251 N. Bayou Street
Post Office Box 2867
Mobile, AL 36652
(251) 690-8116
(251) 405-4531 fax
http://www.mobilecountyhealth.org

Mobile County
If your business is located outside of an incorporated municipality, you may need to purchase a state of Alabama and Mobile county business in addition to any applicable city licenses. Contact the License Commissioner to see if this applies to you.
Mobile County License Commissioner's Office
Michael Square
3925-F Michael Boulevard
Post Office Drawer 161009
Mobile, AL 36616
(251) 574-4800

If your business is located in one of the following municipalities, you should contact them at the listed telephone number or web address to determine if there are any municipal licenses required.

Bayou La Batre 824-2171 http://bayoulabatrechamber.com/
Chickasaw 452-6450 ci.chickasaw.al.us
Citronelle 866-7973 www.citronellechamber.com
Creola 675-8142
Dauphin Island 861-5525 TownOfDauphinIsland.org
Mount Vernon 829-6632
Prichard 452-7856
Saraland 675-5103 www.saraland.org
Satsuma 675-1440 www.cityofsatsuma.com

Baldwin County
Due to the many types of business license, rules and regulations and prices, we suggest calling the office to obtain information needed regarding a Business License.
Please call one of the numbers below or go to www.co.baldwin.al.us
Bay Minette Office (251) 937-0260 ext. 7013
Foley Office (251) 943-5061 ext. 2863
Fairhope Office (251) 928-3002 ext. 4645

Daphne
The business license fee is based on gross receipts with a minimum license amount of $100 plus a $5.00 issue fee. Contact the City of Daphne Revenue Department for more information:
(251) 621-6613

Fairhope
New-business information packets are available at City Hall from the Revenue Office. Applicants are asked to fill out a short form regarding the nature of their business request. Most license fees are based on gross receipts or on a graduating scale. It is important that those wishing to start a business verify that the location of the proposed business is properly zoned for that specific type of business. Zoning information is also available at City Hall. For information on business licenses and permits, including a list of rates, contact the Revenue Office
(251) 990-0160.
http://www.cofairhope.com/

Foley
If you make deliveries, perform services, have sales people calling on local merchants, or have a store or office located in the City of Foley or its police jurisdiction, you need a City of Foley business license. Requirements and fees vary depending upon the type of business
(251) 943-1545
www.cityoffoley.org

Gulf Shores
The City of Gulf Shores Revenue Department is charged with collecting and processing tax revenue for the city, which includes issuing new business licenses and renewal.
(251) 968-2426
www.cityofgulfshores.org

Bay Minette
Elberta
Loxley
Orange Beach
Robertsdale
Silverhill
Spanish Fort
Summerdale

State of Alabama

Alabama Agencies
Alabama Department of Industrial Relations
857 Downtowner Boulevard, Suite L
Mobile, AL 36609
(251) 341-1525

Alabama Department of Revenue
All prospective businesses should contact the Alabama Department of Revenue to determine the applicability of the sales and use tax regulation to the proposed business activity. If the business is responsible for collecting and reporting the sales and use tax, proper registration forms will be provided upon request.

Taxpayer Service Center
857 Downtowner Boulevard, Suite I
Mobile, AL 36609
(251) 344-4737
http://www.ador.alabama.gov/bus.html                                    Go to top

Other Business Requirements

Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board
The Alabama ABC Board controls alcoholic beverages through distribution, licensing, and enforcement as well as education. If your business operation involves the purchase or sale of alcohol in Mobile or Baldwin counties, a license is required.
5660 Hwy 90
P.O. Box 281
Theodore, AL 36590
(251) 653-0015
(251) 653-6622 fax
www.abcboard.state.al.us

Alabama Department of Human Resources
Child day care centers in Alabama legally operate in one of two ways: Licensed or license exempt. All centers that require a license must be licensed by the Department of Human Resources and renewed every two years. The Department of Human Resources prescribes and enforces minimum standards for licensing approval.
Child Care Services Division
50 Ripley Street
Montgomery, Alabama 36130
(334) 242-1425 or (866) 528-1694
(334) 353-1491 fax
www.dhr.state.al.us                                                                                        Go to top

State and Federal Tax Center

Employer’s Federal Identification Number
A business operating as a sole proprietorship with no hired employees may satisfy the reporting requirements of the Federal Government under the social security number of the proprietor. However, a partnership, a small business corporation or any business operation with one or more hired employees must obtain an employer’s identification number from the Federal Government. Form SS-4 applications with instructions are available by downloading the form or applying online at the IRS’s web site at http://www.irs.gov.

Internal Revenue Service
To receive forms for any tax purpose or for answers to tax questions, visit the local office of the Internal Revenue Service; an appointment is not necessary. You may call for answers to general tax questions or visit their website. 1110 Montlimar Dr., Mobile, AL 36609
(251) 340-1794
www.irs.gov

Social Security (FICA)
If you have one or more employees, you must deduct the employees' part of Social Security taxes (FICA) from their wages and report these deductions, along with payment of your part of these taxes and all deductions of income taxes made from employees' wages on Form 941. Each employee must fill out a form W-4. Obtain these forms from the IRS.
1110 Montlimar Dr.
Mobile, AL 36609
(251) 340-1794
www.irs.gov                                                         Go to top

Employment Issues

Alabama Career Center System
515 Springhill Plaza Court, Mobile, AL 366008
251-461-4146
251-461-4443 fax

The center is a partnership between the private sector, non-profit agencies, and federal job training and education programs. It provides a variety of services including: Job Search & Labor Market Information; Computer Training; Unemployment Services; Career Counseling; Skills Training; Adult Education; Career Development Workshops; Resume Writing Workshops and Interviewing Skills. For more information go to http://www.mobile-works.org/html/alabama_cc.html

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is available to provide information on Title 7 of The Civil Rights Act of 1964 which prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, sex, color, religion or national origin. The Commission also provides information regarding the Age Discrimination Act, the Equal Employment Act, and the Americans with Disabilities Act. http://www.eeoc.gov/mobile/smallbusiness.html

Mobile Works
Mobile Works Inc. is a local partnership of business, education, labor and community leaders, providing businesses and people with training, leadership, labor market information and employment programs. Mobile Works is positioned to work with local businesses to leverage their training investment, adding profit back to their bottom line. Mobile Works On-the-Job Training pays up to 50% of costs to train a company's eligible new hires from 11 to 26 weeks; while Mobile Works Incumbent Worker Training pays up to 50% of a company's total training costs for existing staff, up to $15,000 maximum per contract.
515 Springhill Plaza Court, Mobile, AL 366008
251-461-4489
251-461-4490 fax
www.mobile-works.org

Division of Occupational Safety & Health Administration
OSHA will provides small business owners with posters and guidelines needed to comply with a variety of Federal regulations.
OSHA - Mobile Area Office
3737 Government Boulevard, Suite 100
Mobile, AL 36693
(251) 441-6131
http://www.osha.gov                                                                                  Go to top