Government services, mapped in Pinellas County
A clear path through Pinellas County, its municipalities, and applicable Florida and federal agencies.
Business
Business Tax Receipt (Seminole)
The City of Seminole requires a Local Business Tax Receipt under City Ordinance Chapter 42, Article IV: unless exempted by state law, it is unlawful to conduct any business directly or indirectly without first obtaining or registering a current Local Business Tax Receipt. The Business Tax Receipt Official in the Building Division administers the program, and applications are filed online through Citizenserve.
Home-Based Business
Florida Statute 559.955 (2021) preempts local governments from licensing or regulating home-based businesses differently from other businesses. A qualifying home business may operate in any residential zone, but it is still subject to local business taxes under Chapter 205, so a city BTR is still required inside municipalities like St. Petersburg and Clearwater.
Start a Business in Pinellas County
The core sequence for launching a business in Pinellas County: register your entity with the Florida Division of Corporations (Sunbiz), get a free federal EIN from the IRS, register for state taxes if applicable, and check with your municipality to determine whether a city business tax receipt is required if you are located inside one of the 24 municipalities. Pinellas County itself does not require a county business tax receipt (repealed in 1995).