Who needs a state and county business privilege license, and the city business license in Alabama?
Issued by Your county probate judge or license commissioner (for the state and county license); your city clerk or revenue office (for the city license), at step 2 of 6 in the opening sequence: register for tax.
Every kind of business in Alabama
The Alabama table lists this for every kind of business.
Buy the state and county license at the probate office before opening and for each place of business; the handbook lists the license for each trade (restaurant, store, beauty shop, barber shop and so on). Nearly every city also licenses businesses inside its limits and police jurisdiction under its own ordinance, and the city license is usually where the zoning sign-off and the health permit are checked. Ask the city before signing the lease.
Checked Oct 21, 2026 against the agency’s page.
Step 2 of 6: Register for tax
1Set up the business
2Register for tax
3Approve the space
4Get the permits for your kind of business
5Alcohol permits
6Before the first hire
Issued by Your county probate judge or license commissioner (for the state and county license); your city clerk or revenue office (for the city license).
Sources and dates
Department of Revenue Handbook of Privilege and Store Licenses; Code of Alabama 40-12-2 and 40-12-151; Code of Alabama 11-51-90 (municipal business licenses). Checked against the agency’s page on the date shown; cities add their own fees.
Questions about opening here.
Yes. Buy the state and county license at the probate office before opening and for each place of business; the handbook lists the license for each trade (restaurant, store, beauty shop, barber shop and so on).
Yes. Buy the state and county license at the probate office before opening and for each place of business; the handbook lists the license for each trade (restaurant, store, beauty shop, barber shop and so on).
Yes. Buy the state and county license at the probate office before opening and for each place of business; the handbook lists the license for each trade (restaurant, store, beauty shop, barber shop and so on).
Yes. Buy the state and county license at the probate office before opening and for each place of business; the handbook lists the license for each trade (restaurant, store, beauty shop, barber shop and so on).
Yes. Buy the state and county license at the probate office before opening and for each place of business; the handbook lists the license for each trade (restaurant, store, beauty shop, barber shop and so on).
Yes. Buy the state and county license at the probate office before opening and for each place of business; the handbook lists the license for each trade (restaurant, store, beauty shop, barber shop and so on).
Yes. Buy the state and county license at the probate office before opening and for each place of business; the handbook lists the license for each trade (restaurant, store, beauty shop, barber shop and so on).
Yes. Buy the state and county license at the probate office before opening and for each place of business; the handbook lists the license for each trade (restaurant, store, beauty shop, barber shop and so on).
Yes. Buy the state and county license at the probate office before opening and for each place of business; the handbook lists the license for each trade (restaurant, store, beauty shop, barber shop and so on).
Yes. Buy the state and county license at the probate office before opening and for each place of business; the handbook lists the license for each trade (restaurant, store, beauty shop, barber shop and so on).
Yes. Buy the state and county license at the probate office before opening and for each place of business; the handbook lists the license for each trade (restaurant, store, beauty shop, barber shop and so on).
Yes. Buy the state and county license at the probate office before opening and for each place of business; the handbook lists the license for each trade (restaurant, store, beauty shop, barber shop and so on).
Yes. Buy the state and county license at the probate office before opening and for each place of business; the handbook lists the license for each trade (restaurant, store, beauty shop, barber shop and so on).
Yes. Buy the state and county license at the probate office before opening and for each place of business; the handbook lists the license for each trade (restaurant, store, beauty shop, barber shop and so on).
Yes. Buy the state and county license at the probate office before opening and for each place of business; the handbook lists the license for each trade (restaurant, store, beauty shop, barber shop and so on).
Yes. Buy the state and county license at the probate office before opening and for each place of business; the handbook lists the license for each trade (restaurant, store, beauty shop, barber shop and so on).
Yes. Buy the state and county license at the probate office before opening and for each place of business; the handbook lists the license for each trade (restaurant, store, beauty shop, barber shop and so on).
Yes. Buy the state and county license at the probate office before opening and for each place of business; the handbook lists the license for each trade (restaurant, store, beauty shop, barber shop and so on).
Yes. Buy the state and county license at the probate office before opening and for each place of business; the handbook lists the license for each trade (restaurant, store, beauty shop, barber shop and so on).
Yes. Buy the state and county license at the probate office before opening and for each place of business; the handbook lists the license for each trade (restaurant, store, beauty shop, barber shop and so on).
Your county probate judge or license commissioner (for the state and county license); your city clerk or revenue office (for the city license).
Step 2 of 6, register for tax. The steps before it: set up the business.
Who needs a state and county business privilege license in Alabama?
