Business Licenses
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About Business Licenses
The Business License Division is a division of the City of Columbia Finance department. Authority for business licensing (Chapter 13), liquor licensing (Chapter 4), vehicles for hire (Chapter 28) and taxation (Chapter 26) is granted by the City of Columbia Code of Ordinances. Todd Guess, Business Services Manager, oversees the operations and functions of the City Business License Division.
The Business License Division is responsible for accepting, investigating, processing and determining approval or denial of all applications. Additionally, cigarette taxes and hotel/motel taxes are collected and managed by the Business License Division. In addition to annual Business Licenses, this Division also renews and/or issues temporary business licenses, liquor licenses, caterer’s permits, taxi/limousine company licenses, chauffeur’s (taxi driver) licenses, medical marijuana facility licenses, armed and unarmed guard licenses, solicitor’s permits, waste hauler permits, junk dealer permits, animal tags and special permits to nonprofit enterprises.
Online business licenses (CSS)
New Business Licenses
Citizen Self Service (CSS) is a one-stop-shop for online business license needs. For information on how to apply for a new business license and how to register, see the CSS instructions page.
- Completion of the Home Occupation Forms is required if you are operating your business out of your residence if located inside the City Limits of Columbia.
Renewals
View step-by-step instructions on creating your account and renewing your business license. If you have already registered and have an active account, go to (CSS) and log in. After logging in, select the DASHBOARD tab on the Home Screen to view and renew your business license.
Full list of business licenses
Business License Applications
Liquor Licensing
Vehicles for Hire
Other Business Licenses
- Animal & Pet License
- Armed Guard and Security Guard License
- Canning & Donation Permits
- Garage Sale Guidelines
- Junk Dealers License
- Medical Marijuana Facility License
- Pawnbrokers License
- Solicitors Permit
- Special Permit to Nonprofit Enterprise (Canning Permit)
- Tobacco Retailer License Application
- Waste Haulers Permit
General information and terms
Business license (as defined by Chapter 13, Columbia Code of Ordinances)
A business is defined as “all kinds of vocations, occupations, professions, enterprises, establishments, and all other kinds of activities and matters, together with all devices, machines, vehicles and appurtenances used therein, any of which are conducted for private profit or benefit, either directly or indirectly, on any premises in this city, or anywhere else within its jurisdiction, as permitted by the statutes of Missouri, and as provided for by the charter of the City“. (Section 13-18, Columbia Code of Ordinances)
Any person shall be deemed to be in business or engaged in nonprofit enterprise when he/she does one act of: (a) selling any goods or services; (b) soliciting business or offering goods or services for sale or hire; or acquiring or using any vehicle or any premises in the City for business purposes.
Business license terms
The License Year for business licenses begins on July 1 and ends on June 30. For each month that such license fee remains unpaid, a fee of 15% of the business license fee is assessed.
Workers compensation insurance
Proof of Workers’ Compensation Insurance, in the form of a Certificate of Insurance, must be provided by all construction industry businesses with one (1) or more employees. The City of Columbia must be included as the certificate holder.
Application fees
All applications must be accompanied by a $45 application fee.
The license fee is based on the annual gross receipts of the business. New businesses must project their first year’s earnings when computing the license fee. The schedule follows:
- The license fee shall be $0.25/$1,000 of gross receipts, provided the minimum annual license fee shall be $75 and the maximum annual license fee shall be based on the schedule below:
- Prior to January 1, 2024: $3,000
- Effective January 1, 2024: $10,000
- Effective October 1, 2024: $15,000
- Effective October 1, 2025: $20,000
- Effective October 1, 2026: $30,000
- Effective October 1, 2027: $40,000
- Effective October 1, 2028: $50,000
Businesses that also serve or sell food or drink shall pay an annual inspection fee based on annual gross receipts according to the following schedule:
- Annual gross receipts less than $250,000: $220.00
- Annual gross receipts between $250,000 – $750,000: $305.00
- Annual gross receipts over $750,000: $570.00
Change of address
If you have a change of business address, please complete the Business License Change of Address form and return to the Business License Division.
All businesses must abide by all laws and regulations, including zoning, fire codes and health directives. Failure to comply could result in suspension or revocation of the business license.
BUSINESS LICENSES & PERMITS
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 6015, Columbia, MO 65205
Finance
- Divisions
- Business Licenses
- About Business Licenses
- Business License Renewals
- Business License Information
- Temporary Business License
- Pay Hotel/Motel Taxes
- Alcoholic Beverage License
- Animals Tags & Pet Licenses
- Armed Guard and Security Guard Licenses
- Chauffeurs License
- Garage Sales
- Junk Dealers License
- Medical Marijuana Facility License
- Pawnbrokers License
- Solicitors Permits
- Special Permits to Nonprofit Enterprises (Canning Permit)
- Taxicab and Limousine Business Licenses
- Waste Haulers Permits
- Purchasing/Vendors
- Financial Reports & Budget
- Tax Reports
- Media and Contact Information
Contacts
Search:
Phone: 573.499.4653
Public Health & Human Services
Phone: 573.817.6441
Alternate Phone: 573.874.7781
Fax: 573.874.7756
Email: Health@CoMo.gov
Address:
1005 W. Worley St
Columbia, Missouri 65203
Title: Mayor
Term Expires: April 2025
Phone: 573.874.7222
Email: Mayor@CoMo.gov
Address:
City of Columbia, Missouri
701 E Broadway
P.O. Box 6015
Columbia, Missouri, 65205
Title: Ward 1 Council Member
Term Expires: April 2026
Phone: 573.864.4978
Email: Ward1@CoMo.gov
Address:
City of Columbia, Missouri
701 E Broadway
P.O. Box 6015
Columbia, Missouri, 65205
Title: Ward 2 Council Member
Term Expires: April 2024
Phone: 573.823.2274
Email: Ward2@CoMo.gov
Address:
City of Columbia, Missouri
701 E Broadway
P.O. Box 6015
Columbia, Missouri, 65205
Title: Ward 3 Council Member
Term Expires: April 2025
Phone: 573.864.4976
Email: Ward3@CoMo.gov
Address:
City of Columbia, Missouri
701 E Broadway
P.O. Box 6015
Columbia, Missouri, 65205
Title: Ward 4 Council Member
Term Expires: April 2025
Phone: 573.999.0897
Email: Ward4@CoMo.gov
Address:
City of Columbia, Missouri
701 E Broadway
P.O. Box 6015
Columbia, Missouri, 65205
Title: Ward 5 Council Member
Term Expires: April 2026
Phone: 573.864.4972
Email: Ward5@CoMo.gov
Address:
City of Columbia, Missouri
701 E Broadway
P.O. Box 6015
Columbia, Missouri, 65205
Title: Ward 6 Council Member
Term Expires: April 2024
Phone: 573.864.4971
Email: Ward6@CoMo.gov
Address:
City of Columbia, Missouri
701 E Broadway
P.O. Box 6015
Columbia, Missouri, 65205
Address:
600 Big Bear Boulevard, Columbia, MO 65202
Address:
2300 E. Walnut Street
Columbia, MO
Address:
100 N Old 63
Address:
N William St
Columbia, MO
Address:
1905 Hillcrest Dr.
Parks and Recreation Department General Office (aka Gentry Building)
Phone: 573.874.7460
Fax: 573.874.7640
Email: ParksAndRec@CoMo.gov
Address:
1 South 7th Street
P. O. Box 6015
Columbia, MO 65205
Phone: 573.817.5024
Fax: 573.442.8828
Email: HumanRights@CoMo.gov
Address:
701 E. Broadway, 2nd Floor
P.O. Box 6015
Columbia, MO 65205
Address:
2900 East Nifong Boulevard
Columbia, MO 65201
Title: Constituent Services and Legislative Affairs Administrator
Phone: 573.874.7646
Email: Stacey.Weidemann@CoMo.gov
Address:
902 Range Line St.
Phone: 573.817.5015
Address:
5001 E Meyer Industrial Drive, Columbia, MO 65203
Address:
1201 Paquin St.
Phone: 573.874.7378
Fax: 573.874.7761
Email: Business.license@CoMo.Gov
Address:
PO Box 6015, Columbia, MO, 65205
Address:
2002 Grindstone Pkwy.
Stephens Lake Beach (Unguarded) and Spraygrounds
Address:
100 Old 63 N.
Molly Thomas Bowden Neighborhood Policing Center
Address:
1204 International Drive,
Columbia, MO 65202
Phone: 573.449.1888
Phone: 573.874.2489
Alternate Phone: 573.441.5574
Email: Info@CoMo.gov
Address:
300 S Providence Rd
Columbia, MO 65203
Title: Parks and Recreation
Phone: 573.874.7460
Email: ParksandRec@CoMo.gov
Address:
1 South 7th Street
P. O. Box 6015
Columbia, MO 65205
Title: Assistant City Manager
Phone: 573.874.2489
Email: Carol.Rhodes@CoMo.gov
Address:
City Hall, Second Floor
701 E Broadway
P.O. Box 6015
Columbia, Missouri, 65203
Phone: 573.817.5024
Email: DisabilityServices@CoMo.gov
Address:
City of Columbia, Law Department
ADA Coordinator
701 East Broadway, 2nd Floor
P.O. Box 6015
Columbia, MO 65205
Title: IT Director
Phone: 573.874.7500
Email: Cityit1@CoMo.gov
Address:
701 E Broadway
Columbia, Missouri 65201
Address:
1900 Blue Ridge Road
Phone: 573.875.8477
Phone: 573.874.6338
Email: Cmo@CoMo.gov
Address:
City Hall, Second Floor
701 E Broadway
P.O. Box 6015
Columbia, Missouri 65205
Prevention, Disease Intervention & Case Management
Phone: 573.874.7408
Alternate Phone: 833.402.1458
Email: SexualHealth@CoMo.gov
Title: Assistant Chief, Investigative Operations Support
Email: Lance.Bolinger@CoMo.gov
Phone: 573.874.7491
Phone: 573.874.7391
Alternate Phone: 573.874.7450
Fax: 573.874.7446
Email: Fire@CoMo.gov
Address:
201 Orr St
Columbia, MO 65201
Household Hazardous Waste Collection
Phone: 573.874.2489
Email: Cc_forms@CoMo.gov
Address:
1313 Lakeview
Columbia, MO 65201
Phone: 573.874.7223
Fax: 573.442.8828
Address:
701 E. Broadway, 2nd Floor
P.O. Box 6015
Columbia, MO 65205
Phone: 573.874.7230
Fax: 573.874.7531
Email: MunicipalCourt@CoMo.gov
Address:
600 E. Broadway
Columbia, MO 65203
Office of Neighborhood Services
Phone: 573.817.5050
Alternate Phone: 573.874.7339
Email: Neighborhood@CoMo.gov
Address:
701 Broadway
Columbia, MO, 65201
Title: Senior Administrative Supervisor (Administration)
Phone: 573.874.7347
Email: Dana.Vaughn@CoMo.gov
Capen Park Yard Waste Drop-off Center
Phone: 573.874.2489
Address:
1600 Capen Park Dr, Columbia, MO 65201
Phone: 573.874.2489
Address:
400 N Providence Rd
Columbia, MO 65203
Phone: 573.441.5525
Phone: 573.874.7380
Email: UCS@CoMo.gov
Address:
City of Columbia, Utility Customer Service, PO Box 6015, Columbia, MO, 65205
Phone: 573.874.7499
Fax: 573.874.7546
Email: Volunteer@CoMo.gov
Address:
P.O. Box 6015
Columbia, MO 65205
Title: Railroad Operations
Phone: 573.441.5564
Alternate Phone: 573.864.2171
Email: Matthew.Sabath@CoMo.gov
Title: City Manager
Phone: 573.874.2489
Email: Cmo@CoMo.gov
Address:
City Hall, Second Floor
701 E Broadway
P.O. Box 6015
Columbia, Missouri, 65203
Address:
400 N. Providence Rd.
Phone: 573.874.7229
Fax: 573.874.7533
Email: CityProsecutor@CoMo.gov
Address:
600 E. Broadway
P. O. Box 6015
Columbia, MO 65205-6015
Title: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Administrator, LGBTQ+ Liaison
Phone: 573.289.5975
Email: D'andre.thompson@CoMo.gov
Gans Creek Cross Country Course
Address:
3350 E. Gans Road
Title: Entrepreneurship Coordinator
Phone: 573.441.5546
Alternate Phone: 573.268.5596
Email: Jay.Sparks@CoMo.gov
Phone: 573.874.2489
Email: Cc_forms@CoMo.gov
Address:
701 E. Broadway
P.O. Box 6015
Columbia, MO 65205
Convention & Visitors Bureau – Special Events
Phone: 573.817.5052
Email: Specialevents@CoMo.gov
Address:
300 S. Providence Road, Columbia, MO 65203
Phone: 573.874.7376
Phone: 573.874.7491
Address:
1615 Business Loop 70 W
Columbia, MO 65202
Address:
3350 Waco Rd
Columbia, MO 65202
Address:
Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial at Battle Garden
800 W. Stadium Blvd.
Columbia, MO 65203
Address:
Grissum Building, 1313 Lakeview Ave.
Address:
2104 Hillcrest Drive
Phone: 573.874.7378
Fax: 573.874.7761
Email: Business.license@CoMo.Gov
Address:
PO Box 6015, Columbia, MO, 65205
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