Government services, mapped in Pinellas County
A clear path through Pinellas County, its municipalities, and applicable Florida and federal agencies.
Business
Business Tax Receipt (Tarpon Springs)
The City of Tarpon Springs requires a local business tax receipt: no person shall engage in or manage any business, occupation, or profession in the city unless that person first procures one. The Building Development Department administers the program. New applications must be submitted in person at City Hall; renewals can be paid online through Click2Gov.
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 Pinellas County itself does not require a county business tax receipt (repealed in 1995).