North Carolina Business License

A businessman opening the office door for his employees

General Business License Requirements for North Carolina.

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

North Carolina General Business Licenses

North Carolina Business License

Not required



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

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

Local General Business Licenses

City of Asheville Business License

Not required



General Business License licensure is not required on the City level in Asheville.

City of Elizabeth City Business Registration

Agency:City of Elizabeth City Finance Department (NC)
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:No
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?No

Initial Registration

Form:

Business License Registration Application 

Filing Method:

Mail 

Agency Fee:

$20

Registration Renewal

Form:

Renewal forms are mailed. 

Filing Method:

Mail 

Agency Fee:

$20

Due:

Annually by September 30. 

Garner Business Registration

Agency:Town of Garner Finance Department (NC)

Initial Registration

Form:

Business Registration Form

Agency Fee:

$25

Registration Renewal

Form:

Business Registration Form (Renewal)

Agency Fee:

$25

Due:

Annually by July 31.

City of Goldsboro Business License

Agency:City of Goldsboro Inspection Department (NC)
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:No
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?No

Initial Registration

Form:

Business License Registration Application

Filing Method:

Mail. 

Agency Fee:

$25

Law:

Ordiance 2016-32

Registration Renewal

Form:

Business License Registration Application (Renewal)

Filing Method:

Mail. 

Agency Fee:

$25

Due:

Annually by June 30.

City of Havelock Business License

Not required



General Business License licensure is not required on the City level in Havelock.

High Point Business Registration

Agency:City of High Point Customer Service Department (NC)

Initial Registration

Form:

Business Registration Application

Agency Fee:

$25

Registration Renewal

Form:

Business Registration Application (Renewal)

Agency Fee:

$25

Due:

Annually by April 30.

City of Jacksonville Business License

Not required



General Business License licensure is not required on the City level in Jacksonville.

City of Sneads Ferry Business License

Not required



General Business License licensure is not required on the City level in Sneads Ferry.

Town of Surf City Business Registration

Agency:Town of Surf City - Community Development Department - Code Enforcement (NC)
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:No
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?No

Initial Registration

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$50

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$50

Due:

Annually by June 30

Town of Surf City Contractor Business Registration

Agency:Town of Surf City - Community Development Department - Code Enforcement (NC)
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:No
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?No

Initial Registration

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$50

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$50

Due:

Annually by date of issuance

Warrenton Business Registration

Agency:Warrenton Town Administrator (NC)

Initial Registration

Form:

Registration Form

Agency Fee:

Fees depend on gross receipts.

Registration Renewal

Form:

Registration Form (Renewal)

Agency Fee:

Fees depend on gross receipts.

Due:

Annually by July 1.

City of Wilmington Business License

Not required



General Business License licensure is not required on the City level in Wilmington.

Brunswick County Business License

Not required



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

Buncombe County Business License

Not required



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

Carteret County Business License

Not required



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

Haywood County Business License

Not required



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

Henderson County Business License

Not required



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

Lincoln County Business License

Not required



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

Charlotte/Mecklenburg County Business Privilege License

Agency:Mecklenburg County Office of the Tax Collector (NC)

Initial Registration

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

Fees are based on gross receipts.

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

Fees are based on gross receipts.

Due:

Annually by June 30.

New Hanover County Business License

Not required



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

Onslow County Business License

Not required



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

Transylvania County Business License

Not required



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

Learn about general business licensing requirements in other states: