Welcome to the City of West Palm Beach new website. We invite you to explore the site and give us your feedback.
One of the most frequently asked questions we receive is "How do I start a business?" In an effort to create an easy to follow summary, we have outlined the major required steps below. For further questions or more information, please contact us.
For a typical guideline on starting a business, SBA.GOV has an excellent template for this process.
The steps are closely aligned with what is required in Florida.
You will need to register your business in Florida.
For all filing forms, instructions, and payment, you may do this directly on SUNBIZ.
For business licensing and permitting, please follow the proper industry directory for your business.
You may do this directly on Florida’s Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR)
The State of Florida State Statute Chapter 205 governs local business taxes.
Follow the proper instructions for a Business Tax Receipt online at the Palm Beach County Tax Collector’s website.
For information on the City of West Palm Beach Business tax ordinance, please review City Code Chapter 82.
City of West Palm Beach Business tax application(PDF, 75KB).
For free assistance with business planning, marketing, tools, and more visit Florida Atlantic University’s (FAU) Small Business Development Center (SBDC).
A. Palm Beach Chamber of Commerce
B. Business Development Board (BDB) of PBC
C. CareerSource Palm Beach County
D. Office of Small and Minority-Women Business Programs
Businesses looking to contract with the City will need to be certified and registered through option D.