View from street of businesses with shopping and dining area located in Midtown Reno

Patio area with tables and chairs at a local business

Business Licensing Process

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Apply for a business license online or visit City Hall to pick up an application.

Items that must accompany a business license

Proof of State Business License

All applicants are required to register at the Nevada Secretary of State Office located at 202 N. Carson St., Carson City, Nevada.

We cannot process applications unless State Business Licenses are included.
Filing is available online or in person.

Call 775-684-5708 for more information.

Proof of Taxation Registration

All applicants will need to provide proof of registration from the Nevada Department of Taxation located at 4600 Kietzke Lane, Bldg L, Suite 235, Reno, Nevada.

Registration is available online or in person.

Call 866-962-3707 for more information.

Proof of Industrial Insurance

All applicants will need to provide proof of compliance with Workers Comp requirements.

If you have employees, you will need the insurance policy number and expiration date of your policy.
You can register online or submit the form with your business license application.

Call the Industrial Insurance Regulation Section at 775-684-7270 for more information.

Proof of Fictitious Name Registration

If you are using a business name other than your first and last name, a corporate name, or a DBA (Doing Business As) filed with the Nevada Secretary of State, you must file that name with the Washoe County Clerk's Office located at 1001 East Ninth Street, Building A, Reno, Nevada.

This is not necessary if your business is a Corporation, LLC, etc. and has been registered with the Secretary of State.
Filing is available online or in person.

Call 775-784-7287 for more information.

Items that must be obtained before business commences and the license is issued

Zoning approval by the City Planning Department

Inspection and approval by the Fire Department

All commercial locations must be inspected which are not considered a shared use space (i.e. renting a space in an existing business such as a hair salon, insurance agency, etc.)
Inspection fees are due before a license can be issued.

Call 775-334-2300 for more information.

Permit from the Department of Building & Safety

Approvals cannot start until all outstanding building permits are completed and closed.

Call 775-393-1044 for more information.

Northern Nevada Public Health (NNPH)

Required for establishments offering any food service or otherwise impacting public health (i.e. childcare, schools, recycling centers, hotels/motels, etc.)

Call 775-328-2434 for more information.

A State Certificate

Required for employment agencies and banking/lending companies requiring State registration.

Call 775-687-4850 for more information.

Police Department and City Council approval

Required for businesses that conduct privileged business activities.

Call 775-334-3875 for more information.

Contact the following departments or agencies to make sure your business is ready to license before submitting your application to expedite the approval process:

Building Division

Contact the Building Department if you are making any construction changes to the space or changing the use of the previous business (if any) in that location.

Call 775-393-1044 or visit City Hall, 1 East First Street, 2nd Floor for more information.

Fire Department

Contact the Fire Department if your business will be occupied by several people at one time or if your business uses fire/pyrotechnics.

Call 775-334-2300 or visit City Hall, 1 East First Street, 4th Floor for more information.

Environmental Control

Contact Environmental Control if your business might produce hazardous waste that can damage sewer and storm drain systems (i.e. auto repair, manufacturing, restaurant, painting).

Watch an informational video about environmental control.

Call 775-334-4230 or visit City Hall, 1 East First Street, 7th Floor for more information.

Northern Nevada Public Health (NNPH)

Contact Northern Nevada Public Health if you are going to be serving or selling food to the public.

Call 775-328-2434 or visit 1001 E. 9th Street, Reno, NV for more information.

Planning Division

Planning review is required for every business license application with a physical address in Reno. The Planning Division will review the address provided to ensure that your business description meets zoning code requirements for that location.

Certain uses may require a Special Use Permit, subject to review and approval by the City Planning Commission.

Call 775-321-8309 for more information

City Council

Council review is required for business whose activities include gaming, liquor, cannabis, pawnbroker, secondhand merchandise, escort services, and interactive cabarets.

After you receive all of the necessary approvals and pays the required fees, the business license will be issued.

A minimum of four weeks should be allowed for a non-regulatory license.
A minimum of sixty days should be allowed for regulatory-privilege businesses requiring police and City Council approval.
All accounts with the City must be kept current.

For more information, please see the Nevada Revised Statutes and Reno Municipal Code websites.