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Occupational Licenses/Business Tax Receipts


The Board of County Commissioners passed a resolution on 7-25-95 repealing the requirement of obtaining a Pinellas County occupational license.

ORDINANCE NO. 95-53

AN ORDINANCE OF THE COUNTY OF PINELLAS PROVIDING FOR THE REPEAL OF CHAPTER 1 18, ARTICLE IV, DIVISION I, SECTIONS 118-161 THROUGH 118-235 OF THE PINELLAS COUNTY CODE AND DECLARING THE SAME NULL AND VOID AND OF NO EFFECT; SUCH THAT THOSE PERSONS REQUIRED UNDER THE ORDINANCE TO PAY THE COUNTY OCCUPATIONAL LICENSE TAX AND OBTAIN A COUNTY OCCUPATIONAL LICENSE IN ORDER TO ENGAGE IN OR MANAGE ANY BUSINESS; PROFESSION OR OCCUPATION WITHIN THE COUNTY SHALL NO LONGER BE REQUIRED TO PAY SUCH TAX OR OBTAIN SUCH OCCUPATIONAL LICENSE; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. NOW, THEREFORE/BE IT ORDAINED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF PINELLAS COUNTY, FLORIDA, as follows:

Section I. That Chapter 118, Article IV, Division 1, Sections 118-161 through 118-235 of the PineIlas County Code is hereby repealed and declared null and void and of no effect.

Section 2. Effective Date. This ordinance shall take effect September 30, 1995.

A Business Tax Receipt (formerly known as an Occupational License) is an annual business tax for all businesses, professionals, independent contractors and individuals who accept compensation for merchandise or services, who are located within city limits. The rules for Business Tax Receipts differ for businesses located within unincorporated areas of Pinellas County and within incorporated municipalities.

To determine whether your business is in unincorporated Pinellas County or within an incorporated municipal boundary, visit For Residents of Unincorporated County, and enter in your business address, then review your municipal boundary. Contact your municipality to find out if you need a Business Tax Receipt to conduct business.

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Information for Businesses in Unincorporated Pinellas County

Business located in unincorporated areas of Pinellas County, under Ordinance No. 95-53, are not required to obtain Business Tax Receipts (Occupational Licenses) from Pinellas County for operations. However, some professions and business operations are required by the State of Florida to have licenses, permits and/or registrations issued by state regulatory agencies in order to do business in Florida.  

Business Tax Receipt/Occupational License Information for Businesses in Incorporated Pinellas County

Businesses located in incorporated municipalities may be required to obtain a business tax receipt. Contact your municipality for more information. Please note that licenses, permits, and/or registrations issued by State of Florida regulatory agencies may also be required.

Need Assistance?

Contact the Florida Small Business Development Center (FSBDC) at Pinellas County Economic Development or call 727-464-7332. The State of Florida also offers online assistance at OpenMyFloridaBusiness.gov.

Contractor Licenses

Business Tax Receipts and Occupational Licenses should NOT be confused with contractor competency licenses issued under the authority of the Construction Industry Licensing Board, the Electrical Contractors’ Licensing Board and/or the Pinellas County Construction Licensing Board. All contractors in any of the construction trades must register to work in Pinellas County.

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