Steps to Obtaining a New Business License

1. You must obtain a Certificate of Occupancy through our Building Inspection Department if the business is located inside the city limits of Athens . You may reach them at (256) 233-8715.

Note: A Certificate of Occupancy is also needed anytime there is a change in the name of the business, a location change of the business, an owner change of the business, a proprietorship change of the business, a change in the type of business, or any other changes that would have an effect on the business license.

2. Bring the completed, approved Certificate of Occupancy along with your completed privilege license application to the City Clerk's office located at 200 West Hobbs Steet. Your license will be issued there.

Anyone who is certified by the State of Alabama must bring: 1) a copy of their state certification and 2) a copy of their liability insurance with the “City of Athens , P.O. Box 1089 , Athens , AL 35612 ” listed as the certificate holder.

Anyone who is in the food service industry must bring a copy of the Health Food Permit.

3. When completing the license application, use an estimate of what you believe your gross receipts will be for the first twelve months. This is the figure that your license fee will be based on. (All new businesses use estimates for the first twelve months in business, and then the next year's license amount is based on what you actually made the previous year – calculated out for an entire year.)

4. If you have any questions, please call the Clerk's Office at 233-8003.