Business Tax Receipt

State of Florida Web Pages

Guide to Obtaining An Orange County Business Tax Receipts

General Information

The County business tax receipt process begins at the Business Tax Department located on the 2nd Floor, 201 South Rosalind Ave. Orlando, Florida.
An application for Orange County business tax receipt must contain:
1. Applicant's notarized signature. Proof of identification with signature will be required for comparison.
2. Any state/count licenses or certifications (or competency cards) when appropriate.
3. Any other jurisdictions required business tax receipt.
Applications for business tax receipt within Orange County (outside municipalities) must also be accompanied by the following:

The complete legal description of the property where the business will be located.
The property owner’s name and address.

BUSINESS TAX RECEIPT REQUIREMENTS
(Inside Municipalities)

There are thirteen municipalities within Orange County. If a business will be located within city limits, two receipts are required, one from the city and one from County.

When two licenses are required, the city license must be obtained first. The applicant must bring a receipt from the city to the Orange County Local Business Tax Office.

The cities that issue business tax receipts are: Apopka, Belle Isle, Eatonville, Edgewood, Maitland, Oakland, Ocoee, Orlando, Windermere, Winter Garden, and Winter Park. (The cities of Bay Lake and Lake Buena Vista do not issue Business Tax Receipt. An Local Business Tax Receipt must be obtained from Orange County)

BUSINESS TAX RECEIPT REQUIREMENTS WITHIN ORANGE COUNTY (OUTSIDE MUNICIPALITIES)

STEP 1

BUSINESS TAX DEPARTMENT:

A business code is assigned
Applicant is advised that approval will be required from the Orange County Public Health Unit if the business plans to use a septic tank.

STEP 2

ZONING DEPARTMENT:

Determines whether or not the zoning classification is correct for the proposed use.
Checks the comprehensive police plan for consistency.
Fee charged for application review.

Note:

Step 3 is required if the business is utilizing a septic tank. If the business is not utilizing a septic tank, omit Step 3 and 4. Move on to step 5.

STEP 3

Health and Rehabilitative Services of Orange County Public Health Unit/ Environmental Health

Prior to the issuance of an Local Business Tax Receipt, state law requires that the Orange County Public Health Unit inspect and approve any building or locations that uses an existing septic tank and or those that propose the use of a septic tank.

(APPLICABLE FEES WILL APPLY)

STEP 4

Environmental Health Unit:

The Orange County Public Health Unit/Environmental Health will forward a copy of the land use permit to the Orange County Environmental Protection Department. If the facilities have the potential for industrial, toxic or hazardous waste production and are serviced by an on-site sewage disposal system. The Environmental Protection Division will inspect to determine if an in-ground monitoring well is required.

STEP 5

BUSINESS TAX DEPARTMENT:

Applicant submits written approval from the Orange County Public Health Unit if septic tanks are used.
Applicant signs disclaimer on business tax application.
Applicant pays fees and license is issued.

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER A BUSINESS TAX RECEIPT IS ISSUED ?

The issuance of an business tax receipt does not authorize the right to occupy a building. Prior to occupancy, each tenant must obtain a Certificate of Occupancy from the Building Department.

GUIDE TO OBTAINING A CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY

An business tax receipt allows a business to operate at a specific address or on a specific piece of property.

A Use Permit is issued to generate a Certificate of Occupancy which allows a business to occupy a specific building or section of a building.

Documents needed for a Use Permit:
· Copy of business tax application
· Scaled/dimensional floor plan
· Property owner's name, address, and telephone number
· $25.00

When you bring the above documents to the Plans Coordination Section of the Building Department, a Use Permit will be issued and an inspection will need to be scheduled. The inspection can be scheduled for the following work day or a day of your choice, upon request. The inspection may be scheduled by calling the automated system at 407-836-2825 or the office line at 407-836-5550.

The inspectors' hours are Monday through Friday between 7:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Someone must be present during those times on the day of the inspection to grant access to the inspector.

To obtain your Certificate of Occupancy, call the Records Department at 407-836-5768 one working day after the passed inspection. Please be ready to give us your building permit number which is located in the upper right hand corner of your building permit receipt beginning with the letter B.

If you have any questions, please contact Plans Coordination at 407-836-5760 Monday through Friday between 7:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.

Health and Rehabilitative Services/Orange County Public Health

Unit Environmental Health:

A $50.00 application fee is required for the existing systems verifications. Additional permit fees will be required if the existing septic facilities are required to be upgraded.

Environmental Protection Division:

A $32.00 Hazardous Waste Fee is charged.

Business Tax Fee

Fees appropriate for the type of business, according to the county's approved fee schedule, are charged by the Local Business Tax Office at the time the license is issued. The charges are in addition to all other fees charged by the various divisions.

PHONE NUMBERS:

Information regarding the land use permit process may be obtained by contacting the appropriate department at the numbers listed below:

Business Tax Department (407)-836-5650

Zoning Department (407)-836-5525

FDOH/Orange County Public Health Unit:

Environmental Health Section (407)-836-2550

Environmental Protection Division (407)-836-1400

Building Division:

Plans Coordination Section (407)-836-5760