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A Step-By-Step Guide to a Regulated Business License

A Step-By-Step Guide to a Regulated Business License

A STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE TO APPLY FOR A REGULATED BUSINESS LICENSE
Welcome to Clark County Department of Business License. We are happy to assist you with the licensing process, provide the best possible customer service, and meet all of your business plan needs.   

What Type of Business License Do I Need?  How Much Are the Fees?    


License fees are based upon services and activities provided. Business license fees are accompanied by a one-time $45.00 application fee in addition to each license feeMultiple licenses may be required if providing more than one service.

In order to determine the type of license and corresponding fees of your business, use the table below:

Regulated Licenses with No Financial Information Needed   

License Category NAICS Code Application Fee Business License Fee Billing Cycle
Auctioneer 561991 $45.00 $500.00  Annual
Locksmith 561622 $45.00 $150.00  Annual
Mobile Food Vendor 722330 $45.00 $25.00 (Gross Revenue) Semi-Annual
Modeling Agency  711419 $45.00 $25.00 (Gross Revenue) Semi-Annual
Professional Promoter 711310 $45.00 $200.00  Annual
Psychic Arts 812999 $45.00 $150.00  Annual
Secondhand Dealer Class II (Charitable) *** N/A $45.00 N/A N/A
Secondhand Dealer Class IV (Charitable- Used Motor Vehicles)  *** N/A $45.00 N/A N/A
Sidewalk Vendors *** 722340  $45.00  $150.00  Annual

Application cannot be submitted online. ***
No financial information required.  ***
Regulated Licenses Requiring Financial Information  

License Category NAICS Code Application Fee Business License Fee Billing Cycle
Alarm System 561621 $45.00 $25.00 (Gross Revenue) Semi-Annual
Locksmith (Non-Mobile Service) 561622 $45.00 $150.00  Annual
Carnival/Circus/Traveling Show 711190 $45.00 $200.00 Annual
Concert/Rock Promoter 711320 $45.00 $300.00 Annual
Pawnshop & Pawnshop Broker
(Secondhand Sales - Vehicles)
522299 $45.00 $2200.00 Annual
Pawnshop & Pawnshop Broker
(Secondhand Sales - No Vehicles)
522296 $45.00 $1700.00 Annual
Secondhand Dealer Class I (Salvage-No Operable Vehicles) 423140 $45.00 $200.00  Semi-Annual
Secondhand Dealer Class II (Misc- No Vehicles) 453300 $45.00 $175.00  Semi-Annual
Secondhand Dealer Class III (Specialty Shop) 453310 $45.00 $100.00  Semi-Annual
Secondhand Dealer Class IV (Used Motor Vehicles) 441120 $45.00 $25.00 (Gross Revenue)  Semi-Annual
Solicitor  *** N/A $45.00 $45.00 Quarterly

 Application cannot be submitted online ***

Please complete all the steps prior to submitting your application. 
Incomplete applications may be terminated with no refund on application fees. 

 STEP ONE:  DETERMINE WHERE YOUR BUSINESS IS LOCATED

You can also use the interactive jurisdictional look-up web map to find your jurisdiction.  The primary location of your business determines the jurisdiction in which you must file for your business license. Clark County, Nevada is comprised of 6 jurisdictions, each with its own licensing agency. Use the Jurisdiction Locator to help you identify your business’ licensing jurisdiction.  Please be aware that a large portion of the Las Vegas valley has a Las Vegas mailing address but is located in unincorporated Clark County.
 Click on the map below:
Jurisdictional Map
The five other business licensing agencies in Clark County, NV are:                                       
The City of Hendersonthe City of Las Vegasthe City of North Las VegasBoulder City and the City of Mesquite

Determine Jurisdiction and Land Use:
To confirm if the business address is located within the unincorporated Clark County jurisdiction, the type of business activities permitted by zoning district, and for information regarding online land use application submittals; please visit Comprehensive Planning.  For more information, you can email them at zoning@clarkcountynv.gov or contact a planner by phone at (702) 455-4314.    

I conduct business in different cities surrounding Las Vegas. Is one license enough to conduct my business in different parts of the Valley?

If your business location is based in a particular city outside of Unincorporated Clark County, but you travel into the County to conduct business, a Clark County business license may be required in addition to your City business license. Once your primary license is in place, we will be able to assist in processing your Clark County application.  Complete Steps 1-5 to acquire a County business license. 

To verify your primary jurisdiction, please use the Jurisdiction Locator.  

 STEP TWO:  REGISTER AND OBTAIN NEVADA STATE BUSINESS LICENSE

 NRS 76 requires all business, corporations, and partnerships operating in the state of Nevada to register have a state business license. Please visit the Secretary of State’s website for more information.  You may apply and register online at nvsilverflume.gov.

 STEP THREE: REGISTER WITH THE NEVADA DEPARTMENT OF TAXATION   

You can now register online by visiting the Nevada Department of Taxation website or apply at nvsilverflume.gov together with your entity and state license filing.

 STEP FOUR:  REGISTER YOUR BUSINESS NAME (DBA)

Businesses operating under a fictitious firm name/doing business as (any name other than the business owner’s legal name, or the corporate entity name registered with the Nevada Secretary of State) must file for a Fictitious Firm Name (DBA) with the Clark County Clerk’s Office. You can find the form online here.  

Please Note: The owner name on the Fictitious Firm Name (DBA) Certificate must exactly match the Entity Name displayed on your Nevada State Business License.  It is recommended that you take a copy of your Nevada State Business License with you when you apply with the Clerk's Office.  Visit the Clerk's office for location and hours of operation.

See example of a Certificate of Fictitious Firm Name and Nevada Secretary of State business license of a Sole Proprietor filing below:     

 Certificate of Business: Fictitious Firm Name Sample:
FFN Sample

Nevada State Business License Sample:
SOS Sample
Note: A Fictitious Firm Name (DBA) is the name your business will use when advertising, including on store front, signs, business cards, websites, etc.  Advertising under more than one name, will require multiple business licenses. 

STEP FIVE:  COMPLETE A REGULATED APPLICATION PACKET
Required REGULATED BUSINESS Application Forms

Regulated business licenses are licenses that require investigation pursuant to law found in Titles 6 and 7 of the Clark County Code. These businesses may require an in-depth investigation by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department for determination of the owner's suitability to hold such a license.

Required Regulated Categories and Documents Requiring Personal History Information

This license requires the applicant to submit a Regulated Packet and is subject to the provisions of Clark County Code Chapters 6 and 7.

The Regulated Packet consists of a Regulated Checklist, Clark County Business License Application Form and a Temporary License Request Form.   In addition to the regulated packet, a completed original LVMPD Personal History Form for each owner and TWO (2) original signed and notarized Authorization to Release Information forms for each owner must be completed.

Print out and complete a regulated application packet and corresponding regulated license requirements based on the business activities listed: 

Auctioneer/Permit Mobile Food Vendor Professional Promoter Secondhand Dealer Class II (Charitable)
Locksmith (Mobile Service Only)    Modeling Agency   Psychic Arts, Astrologer, Spiritualist, Seer and Science Practitioners Secondhand Dealer Class IV (Charitable-Used Motor Vehicles)


The licensing process will include a criminal background investigation conducted by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department of all owners with 10% or more ownership interest in the business and a financial suitability investigation conducted by the Department of Business License. Prior to the completion of the financial suitability investigation, the Department may issue a temporary license to allow the business to operate pending completion of the criminal background investigation(s). For additional information, please call the Department of Business License Regulated Help Line at (702) 455-0174.

Once all the requirements have been completed, please schedule an appointment with a business license technician by visiting our Appointment Services page or by calling (702) 455-0174 for application submission. Incomplete applications will not be accepted  

Regulated Categories and Documents Requiring Personal History and Financial Information:

This license requires the applicant to submit a Regulated Packet and is subject to the provisions of Clark County Code Chapters 6.28 and 7.16.
The Regulated Packet with BSQ (Business License Questionnaire) consists of a Regulated Checklist, Clark County Business License Application Form, a Temporary License Request Form and a completed original Business Supplemental Questionnaire.   In addition to the regulated packet, a completed original LVMPD Personal History Form for each owner and TWO (2) original signed and notarized Authorization to Release Information forms for each owner must be submitted.

Print out and complete a regulated application packet and corresponding regulated license requirements based on the business activities listed: 

Alarm System Massage Business (Non-resort) Secondhand Dealer Class I 
(Salvage - No Operable Vehicles)
Solicitor
Carnival/ Circus/ Traveling Show/Tent Show Massage Business (Resort) Secondhand Dealer Class II
(Misc. - No Vehicles)
 
Concert/ Rock Promoter Pawnshop & Pawnshop Broker (Secondhand Sales - No Vehicles) Secondhand Dealer Class III 
(Specialty Shop)
 
Locksmith Service(Non-Mobile Locksmith Establishment) Pawnshop & Pawnshop Broker (Secondhand Sales - Vehicles) Secondhand Dealer Class IV(Used Motor Vehicles)  


The licensing process will include a criminal background investigation conducted by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department of all owners with 10% or more ownership interest in the business and a financial suitability investigation conducted by the Department of Business License. Prior to the completion of the financial suitability investigation, the Department may issue a temporary license to allow the business to operate pending completion of the criminal background investigation(s). For additional information, please call the Department of Business License Regulated Help Line at (702) 455-0174. 

For Sidewalk Vendor Licenses:
The Regulated Sidewalk Vendor Packet consists of a Sidewalk Vendor Regulated Checklist and a Clark County Business License Application Form.  The licensing process will require approval from the Southern Nevada Health District (SNHD).  For additional information, please call the Department of Business License at (702) 455-4340.

Applications can be submitted online or in-person via appointment only.

Incomplete applications will not be accepted.   Please do not leave any fields blank. If the section is not applicable, please indicate N/A. 

Helpful Tool:   

Required Forms for Specific REGULATED Business Activities

For massage and reflexology forms, visit the Massage and Reflexology page.   

STEP SIX:  SCHEDULE A REGULATED APPOINTMENT


Once all the requirements have been completed, please schedule an appointment with a business license technician by visiting our Appointment Services page or by calling (702) 455-0174 for application submission.     

Appointment Services

What to Expect After Submitting an Application


All regulated license applications require individual background investigations, code conferences with Business License Agents and on-site inspections by public safety agencies.   Because background investigations can take months, you may request for a temporary license while the investigation is being conducted.  

Upon submission of a completed application and payment of fees, the application will be processed and sent electronically to the Comprehensive Planning Department for review and approval within 5 working days from the date of processing. 

Except for home occupation applications, your application will then be sent to the Fire Prevention Department, and any other public safety agency depending upon your business activities, e.g., Southern Nevada Health DistrictAir QualityAnimal ControlSolid Waste Management Authority.  You can also find a list of public safety agencies at our Resources & Helpful Links page.

Provided our Business License Agents and all partner public safety agencies determine that you meet the license requirements, your application will be ready for final approval by the Director.  

Director's Approval
Upon approval by the Director of Business License, your license will be automatically sent to your business location.  

You are now ready to operate your business!  Thank you for allowing us to serve you and wish you continued success! 

Other Regulatory Agencies or Entities  


Depending on your business activity, your business license may require proof of applying/registering with regulatory agencies or other entities.  Access the more common regulatory agencies below:

For a list of other government agencies and outside entities, see the Resources and Helpful Links page.

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