Mississippi Business License

A businessman opening the office door for his employees

General Business License Requirements for Mississippi.

Business licenses are often required of business entities, regardless of their products and services. This page provides an overview of business license requirements in Mississippi.

Mississippi General Business Licenses

Mississippi Business License

Not required



General Business License licensure is not required on the State level in Mississippi.

Mississippi does not have a general business license at the state level, but local licenses are often required.

Local General Business Licenses

City of Biloxi Business License

Agency:City of Biloxi Planning Division (MS)
Law:

Code of Ordinances

Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:No
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?No

Initial Registration

Instructions:
  1. To recieve a business license application, applicants must first fill out the application for a Certificate of Occupancy
  2. Once the Certifciate of Occupancy has been mailed in and approved, the applicant must file for a business license in person. 
Filing Method:

In person 

Agency Fee:

Determined by business type

Law:

Chapter 12 - Licenses and Business Regulations

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Mail 

Agency Fee:

Determined by business type. 

Due:
  • Annually by the last day of the month in which the license was issued. 
  • The effective date of the renewed license shall begin on the first day of the month following the month of issue by one year, regardless of when the renewal is approved by the director of community development.

City of Canton Privilege License

Agency:City of Canton - City Clerk's Office (MS)
Law:

Canton, Miss., Municipal Code § 18-16—18-27.

Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:No
Notes:

A privilege license is only required if a business has a physical residence within the City of Canton

Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?No

Initial Registration

Form:

Forms are not available online. Applications can be obtained by visiting City Hall (226 E Peace Street Canton, MS 39046).

Filing Method:

In-person

Agency Fee:

Fee varies based on the nature of the business and number of employees

Before you Apply:

Before beginning the application process, contact the Building & Development Department at (601) 859-4331 to ensure all zoning and building requirements are being met. 

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Mail

Agency Fee:

Fee varies based on the nature of the business and the number of employees

Due:

Annually by date of issuance

Notes:

Renewal notices and instructions will be mailed prior to the expiration of the license

City of Greenwood Privilege Tax License

Agency:City of Greenwood Office of City Clerk (MS)
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:No
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?No

Initial Registration

Form:

Bring all the necessary paperwork and documents to the City Clerk's Office to complete the application for the Privilege Tax License

Filing Method:

In-person

Agency Fee:

Fee depends upon the nature of the business

Before you Apply:
  • Contact the Community Development Department regarding requirements related to certificates of occupancy, zoning, sign ordinances, electrical permits, and building inspections
  • If collecting sales tax, obtain a State Sales Tax ID number for Leflore County from the Mississippi Department of Revenue
  • If you do not already have one, obtain a Federal Tax ID number or EIN
  • Restaurants must supply a copy of their food permit
  • If serving beer/alcohol, a business must supply a copy of their beer/alcohol permit from both the City of Greenwood and the State Tax Commission
  • If selling tobacco, a business must supply a copy of their tobacco permit from both the City of Greenwood and the Tobacco Control Board
  • If opening a wrecker service, contact the City of Greenwood Police Department
Required Attachments:
  • Valid Picture ID
  • Lease agreement, warranty, deed, or another document that shows business name and address

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Mail, phone, in-person

Agency Fee:

Fee depends upon the nature of the business

Due:

Annually by date of issuance

Notes:

Renewal notices and instructions are mailed approximately 30 days prior to expiration of the privilege tax license

City of Grenada Privilege Tax License

Agency:City of Grenada Planning and Development Department (MS)
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:No
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?No

Initial Registration

Form:

Forms are not available online. Applications can be obtained by visiting City Hall (108 S. Main Street Grenada, MS. 38901).

Filing Method:

In-person

Agency Fee:

Fees vary based on number of employees:

  • 0-3 employees: $20 license fee
  • 4-10 employees: $30 license fee
  • 10+ employees: $3 per each additional employee
Required Attachments:
  • Federal and State Tax ID numbers
  • Contractors must have a surety bond or a general liability insurance policy (no minimums)

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Mail

Agency Fee:

Fees vary based on number of employees

  • 0-3 employees: $20 license renewal fee
  • 4-10 employees: $30 license renewal fee
  • 10+ employees: $3 per each additional employee
Due:

Annually by date of issuance

Notes:

Renewal notices and instructions will be mailed out approximately 30 days prior to license expiration 

Gulfport Privilege License

Agency:City of Gulfport General Finance (MS)

Initial Registration

Form:

Privilege License Application

Agency Fee:

Fee depends on business type. Applicant must go in person to the Gulfport City Clerk's office to apply and they will calculate license fee.

Notarization Required?:Required

Registration Renewal

Form:

Renewal form is sent 1-2 months before September 30.

Agency Fee:

A calculated fee is on the renewal form mailed annually.

Due:

Annually by September 30.

Hattiesburg Privilege Tax License

Agency:City of Hattiesburg City Clerk/Tax Division (MS)
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:No
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?No

Initial Registration

Form:

Privilege Tax License Application

Agency Fee:

The amount of a privilege license tax depends upon the number of employees and the type of business.

Registration Renewal

Form:

Privilege Tax License Application (Renewal)

Agency Fee:

The amount of a privilege license tax depends upon the number of employees and the type of business.

Due:

Annually

City of Jackson Privilege License

Agency:City of Jackson Department of Planning and Development - Signs and License Division (MS)
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:No
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?No

Initial Registration

Form:

Privilege License Registration Application 

Filing Method:

Mail or Online 

Agency Fee:

Fee determined by business type. See application for more details. 

Turnaround:

 

Notes:

If there is no physical location in Jackson, enter " 0 On location " on the Location For Business License step.

Required Attachments:
  • Submit a copy of your lease agreement for all business (must be notarized) 
    • If you own the building, provide proof of ownership 

Registration Renewal

Form:

Privilege License Registration Application (Renewal)

Filing Method:

Mail 

Agency Fee:

Fee determined by business type. See applictation. 

Due:

Annually by date of issuance. 

City of Ocean Springs Business / Privilege License

Agency:City of Ocean Springs (MS)
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:No
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?No

Initial Registration

Form:

Business License Registration Application 

Filing Method:

Mail 

Agency Fee:

New Business Licenses are prorated based on the month opened. City Clerk’s Office will determine price when the application is completed.

Registration Renewal

Form:

Business License Registration Application Renewal

Filing Method:

Mail 

Agency Fee:

Fee is determined by business type. Call City Hall to the amount due. 228-875-4236

Due:

Annually by September 30. 

City of Vicksburg Business (Privilege) License

Agency:City of Vicksburg - Community Development Department - Building and Inspection Division (MS)
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:No
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?No

Initial Registration

Form:

City of Vicksburg Privilege Business License Application 2023

Filing Method:

Mail

Agency Fee:
  • For service & manufacturing businesses the fee is based upon the number of employees
    • 1-3 employees: $20
    • 4-10 employees: $30
    • Over 10: add $3 per employee
  • For retail businesses the fee is based upon the inventory

Registration Renewal

Form:

Renewal notices and forms are mailed 30 days prior to license expiration. 

Filing Method:

Mail

Agency Fee:
  • For service & manufacturing businesses the fee is based upon the number of employees
    • 1-3 employees: $20
    • 4-10 employees: $30
    • Over 10: add $3 per employe
  • For retail businesses the fee is based upon the inventory
Due:

Annually by date of issuance.

Grenada County Business License

Not required



General Business License licensure is not required on the County level in Grenada County.

Learn about general business licensing requirements in other states: