Who needs a city or town business license in Delaware?

Issued by Your municipality (Wilmington: Department of Finance, Wage and Business License Division), at step 2 of 6 in the opening sequence: register for tax.

Every kind of business in Delaware

The Delaware table lists this for every kind of business.

Wilmington, Dover, Newark and most incorporated towns license businesses inside their limits in addition to the state license, and ask for a copy of the state license with the application. Ask the town before signing the lease; outside town limits only the state license applies.

Checked Oct 21, 2026 against the agency’s page.

Step 2 of 6: Register for tax

  1. Set up the business
  2. Register for tax
  3. Approve the space
  4. Get the permits for your kind of business
  5. Alcohol permits
  6. Before the first hire

Issued by Your municipality (Wilmington: Department of Finance, Wage and Business License Division).

Sources and dates

City of Wilmington business license application and 2023 fee ordinance; municipal codes. Checked against the agency’s page on the date shown; cities add their own fees.

Questions about opening here.