LOCAL BUSINESS TAX INFORMATION!

If you require assistance completing the Local Business Tax Application, or if you have any questions regarding the
renewal process, please telephone 954-943-6500.

NOTICE OF CHANGE

Effective January 1, 2007 the term occupational license changed to local business tax. Therefore, when a new business opens in Lighthouse Point, an existing business adds another use, or a business transfers a current occupational license, the business will be issued a local business tax certificate, rather than an occupational license. The application process and fees will remain the same.

This change is due to the State Legislature passing House Bill 1269 in June, 2006. This bill changed the “Local Occupational License Tax Act” to the “Local Business Tax Act.”

In order to be consistent with the terminology used in state law, the City of Lighthouse Point will be using the term local business tax, effective January 1, 2007.

A local business tax is a tax for the privilege of engaging in or managing any business, profession, or occupation within the commercially zoned City districts. Application(s) for local business tax(es) may be obtained through the City Clerk’s Office during regular business hours of Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., or by telephoning 954-943-6500. The tax certificates issued will only cover one location and will be only for the specified “use” as set out in the application for the local business tax. If more than one business “use” exists at any one location within the City limits, the applicant must apply for an additional local business tax. The Fiscal Year for all local business taxes runs from October 1st through September 30th.

Prior to opening a business within the City limits of Lighthouse Point, it is advisable to contact the Planning & Zoning Department at 954-943-6509 or the City Clerk’s Office at 954-943-6500 to determine whether a particular business “use” is “allowable” within the commercially zoned districts.

When an application for a local business tax is submitted to the City Clerk’s Office, it is processed and forwarded for approval to Building/Zoning, Fire, Code Enforcement, Police Department, and City Administrator. Once the application has been approved by the above departments, it is returned to the Office of the City Clerk for approval. Each applicant will be notified by telephone when an application has either been approved or denied. If the application is approved, the applicant is informed of the amount due and the fees can either be mailed or dropped off in person at the City Clerk’s Office. Upon request by the applicant, we can provide an invoice stating monies owed to the City for the business tax. A local business tax will not be issued until all fees are received by the Office of the City Clerk.

PLEASE NOTE: Submission of an application for the local business tax along with all required State documentation does not guarantee automatic approval of the local business tax. Each application must be approved by all appropriate City departments prior to issuance.

According to Florida public records law most written communications to or from local officials regarding City business are public records available to the public and media upon request. Your e-mail communications may, therefore, be subject to public disclosure.