Business Operating Information
Operating a business requires licenses, permitting, adherence to codes, submitting taxes, etc. with local, state and federal governments. Here are links to the most visited agencies and organizations.
Doing Business
The University of South Alabama (USA) Melton Center is taking applications for the Minority Business Accelerator, sponsored by PNC Bank, the University of Mobile and USA with support from the Alabama Small Business Development Center, Innovation PortAL and the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce.
Five minority entrepreneurs, (or company teams of 1-3 persons) interested in growing their business will be selected for the eight week entrepreneurial training series featuring Lean Launch and Business Model Canvas principles.
This program is not intended for pre-revenue or startup businesses or later stage companies that have revenue in excess of $400,000 per year. We are looking to help those with some time and skin in the game, with minimal or little revenue, seeking to learn and grow their company. If you’re not sure you qualify, apply.
Upon completing the program, the business owners will receive a small stipend and present to a judging panel to compete for in-kind services. The program will launch April 17 with mentoring, assessment and follow-up.
Minority is defined by federal guidelines: 51% owned, operated and controlled by African-America, Hispanic, Asian or Native American.
To apply: Complete the application online, save it and email it to Brenda Rembert.
For more information, contact Don Mosley or 251-460-6730 or Danette Richards at 251-431-8652.
City of Mobile Revenue Department/Mobile Business Center
The city of Mobile has created the “Mobile Business Center” within the City Revenue Department to assist new businesses in the licensing process. This one-stop resource center offers new business owners assistance in a variety of areas.
Business License and Certifications
Licenses: 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 it if is a partial year, and then it is based on the type of business and gross revenues generated.
Sales Tax: In general, the total sales tax for businesses located in the city of Mobile is 10 percent. The breakdown is as follows:
City of Mobile – 5 percent / Mobile County – 1 percent / State of Alabama – 4 percent
Sales tax for the city of Mobile is 5 percent of gross sales each month and must be received by the 20th day of the following month. An additional 1 percent sales tax is imposed on the sale of prepared food and drink within the city limits.
To legally operate in Mobile, businesses must be properly zoned and receive zoning certification. Most businesses receive B-1, B-2 or B-3 certification depending on the company’s business category and location. Failure to receive proper zoning certification may result in the inability to obtain a business license. Other municipalities within the Mobile County regulate their own zoning activity and should be contacted directly for further information.
Sign Ordinance: Businesses must comply with the city’s sign ordinance, which regulates signs and banners. There are also city regulations assuring tree protection, historic preservation and minimum landscaping standards. Home-based businesses should not disturb the residential character of the neighborhood.
Certain businesses are required to obtain clearance with the city of Mobile Police Department before they can be issued a license or tax account.
Enforces fire codes.
Mobile County
Mobile County License Commissioner’s Office If you plan to operate a business anywhere in Mobile County, you may need to acquire a state and county business license in addition to any applicable city licenses.
Sales Tax: Mobile County also charges a sales tax in the amount of 1 percent of gross sales. This tax is handled through the city of Mobile Revenue Department for businesses inside the city limits and has the same payment date of the 20th day of the following month. For businesses in the county and other municipalities, the tax is collected by the Mobile County License Commissioner. A state sales tax of 4 percent is also due the 20th day of the month following the accrual month. The new business owner must establish an account through the Alabama Revenue Department, after which a monthly remittance form will be provided.
Mobile County Health Department Certain businesses dealing with food and beverages are required to obtain a Health Department Inspection Certificate.
Mobile County Revenue Commissioner
Personal Property Tax: Business owners are required to pay taxes on their inventory of personal property (i.e. office equipment, office supplies, furniture, etc.). Each owner must complete a listing of the company’s personal property before December 31.
Mobile County Sheriff’s Office If your business is located in one of the following municipalities, you should contact them to determine if there are any municipal licenses required.
Baldwin County Economic Development Alliance Expand Baldwin County Economy Through Business Development
Baldwin County Business Incubator
Offers small business assistance efforts through a variety of business development and professional consulting services.
If your business is located in one of the following municipalities, you should contact them to determine if there are any municipal licenses required.
- City of Bay Minette
- City of Daphne
- Town of Elberta
- City of Fairhope
- City of Foley
- City of Gulf Shores
- Town of Loxley
- Town of Magnolia Springs
- City of Orange Beach
- City of Robertsdale
- City of Silverhill
- City of Spanish Fort
- Town of Summerdale
South Alabama Counties
- State of Alabama
- Alabama Secretary of State
- Alabama Business Resources
- Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board
- Alabama Career Center System
- Alabama Attorney General
- Alabama Department of Commerce
- Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs
- Alabama Department of Education
- Alabama Department of Finance
- Alabama Department of Human Resources
- Alabama Department of Labor
- Alabama Department of Revenue
- Alabama Department of Transportation
- Alabama Industrial Development and Training
- Alabama Law Enforcement Agency
- Alabama Legislative Information System Online
- Alabama Small Business Development Career Network
- Mobile Works
- Who Are My Legislators – Find Your Legislators
- U.S. Small Business Administration, Alabama District
- BusinessUSA
- Internal Revenue Service
- Minority Business Development Agency
- Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
- Social Security Administration
- USA.gov
- Census Bureau
- U.S. Department of Agriculture – Rural Development
- U.S. Department of Commerce
- U.S. Department of Homeland Security
- U.S. Department of Labor
- U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
- U.S. House of Representatives
- U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
- U.S. Senate
- U.S. Small Business Administration
- Alabama Board of Cosmetology
- Alabama Board of Home Medical Equipment Services Providers
- Alabama Constitutional Reform
- Alabama Forestry Association
- Alabama Microenterprise Network
- Alabama Power
- Alabama Restaurant and Hospitality Alliance
- Baldwin County Society for Human Resource Managers
- Baldwin EMC
- Better Business Bureau
- Business Council of Alabama
- Clarke-Washington Electric Membership Corp.
- Economic Development Partnership of Alabama
- Home Builders Association of Metro Mobile
- Mobile Area Water and Sewer System
- Mobile Bay Economic Development
- Mobile Gas
- Mobile Public Library
- Mobile Society for Human Resource Managers
- Mobile Works
- National Restaurant Association
- Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama
- South Region Minority Supplier Development Council
- United States Chamber of Commerce
Transportation
- Start a Business in Mobile – A Resource Guide – Provides information and guidance on local resources during start-up phase or aid in the smooth operation of your existing small business.
- Downtown Mobile Alliance
- Mobile Works
- SCORE – South Alabama
- South Alabama Regional Planning Commission
- Alabama Procurement Technical Assistance Center
- Alabama Small Business Development Center Network
- Volunteer Lawyers Program – Community and Economic Development
- Women’s Business Center of Southern Alabama
- Women’s Business Council South
University of South Alabama Center for Real Estate Studies Market Watch
University of South Alabama Center for Economic Studies
Mobile Area Chamber Economic Development
Economic Development Partnership of Alabama
Marketing Reports / Data The following links are maintained by the Mobile Area Chamber using a variety of sources. Some of these links are restricted to Members Only and require a log in.