City of Jackson Mississippi
Business Licenses
 http://www.jacksonms.gov/government/planning/businesslicense
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Providing service to business owners

Anyone who conducts business in the City of Jackson must obtain a Business License, except for businesses that are specifically exempted by state or federal statute. Business License fees must be paid before the business opens and are renewable annually.

Applications for a Business License should be filled out, notarized and returned to the Signs and License Division located on the first floor of the Hood Building. They must have the following information:

  • Name(s) of the person(s) associated with the business on the application.
  • Proper Fee Payment. Most fees are determined by either the number of employees or the amount of the inventory. Applications must show total number of employees for the previous twenty months.

During the process, the Zoning Division must approve and stamp the application. Required inspections will be done before the license is issued.

Required Inspections

Health Department Inspections are required for child care providers and anyone preparing or serving food. The applicant is responsible for obtaining approval of the County and/or State Health Department, and inspection verification must accompany the Business License application.

Fire Inspections are required before a license can be issued. The Signs and License Division will arrange for this inspection after applications are filed.

Police Inspectionsand approvals are required for certain types of businesses including those serving beer and wine, pawn brokers, and others. The Signs and License Division will arrange for these inspections after applications are filed.
 

Business License Fees

No. of Employees

License Fee Due

0-3

$20.00

4-10

$30.00

Over 10

$30.00 plus $3.00 for each employee over 10 up to a maximum of $150.00.

Miscellaneous Fees

Amusement Machines (per machine)

$45.00

Autos for Hire (per vehicle)

$15.00

Auto Vacuum Machines

$10.00

Beer License (Retail)

$15.00

Beer License (Wholesale)

$50.00

Cigarette Dealer (Wholesale)

$50.00

Cigarette Vending Machines

$2.50

Dance Hall Permit

$225.00

Dealer in Deadly Weapons

$100.00

Domino Parlor Permit (per table)

$8.00

Hobby Horse Machines (per machine)

$18.00

Massage Parlor Permit

$175.00

Merchandise (Snack Machines)

$2.50

Music Machines (per machine)

$27.00

Pawn Broker

$250.00

Postage Stamp Machines

$2.00

Soft Drink Machines

$10.00

Travel Agency

$200.00

Travel Agent

$50.00

Transient Vendor

$250.00

Weighting Machine

$2.00

Operation of various types of business must be in compliance with all city, state, and federal regulations including zoning.

 
Home Occupations: Businesses operated from the home of an individual must obtain a Home Occupation Permit from the Zoning Division. A Home Occupation offers services to the public but has numerous restrictions:
  • No retail trade and no stock on the premises
  • No increase in traffic to and from the dwelling
  • No mechanical equipment other than that normally permitted for household purposes and no signs permitted
  • No employees except for a member of the family residing on the premises
  • No display or artificial lighting that will indicate from the exterior that the dwelling is being utilized in whole or in part for any purpose other than that of a dwelling
  • No changes to the exterior of the structure
  • A permit granted for a home occupation will be given on a yearly basis by the Zoning Administrator only during the occupancy or ownership of the person to whom it was granted.
 
For More Information Contact:
Terry Coleman
Signs and License Division
200 S. President St., Room 130
Jackson, MS
601-960-1154 or tcoleman@city.jackson.ms.us