Unlike most Florida counties, Pinellas County does NOT require a county-level local business tax receipt. The Board of County Commissioners repealed the county occupational license requirement by resolution on July 25, 1995 (Ordinance No. 95-53). Businesses in unincorporated Pinellas need no county business license; businesses inside a municipality may still need a CITY business tax receipt.
Anyone opening a business in Pinellas County who is checking whether a county business license is required.
Determine whether your location is in a city or unincorporated county
Use the county's guidance: if the business operates in one of the 24 municipalities, contact that city about its business tax receipt. If it is in unincorporated Pinellas County, no business tax receipt is required at the county level.
pinellas.gov/occupational-licensesIf in a city, apply for the city business tax receipt
St. Petersburg, Clearwater, and most other Pinellas cities levy a local business tax under Chapter 205, Florida Statutes. See the city-specific workflows.
pinellas.gov/occupational-licensesConfirm any state license and tax registrations separately
The absence of a county receipt does not remove DBPR/FDACS licensing or Department of Revenue tax registration obligations.
myfloridalicense.com/| Item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Pinellas County business tax receipt | $0 (not required) | County occupational license repealed 7-25-95, Ordinance No. 95-53 |
Fee amounts change, the linked official schedule always controls.
A common misconception dates the repeal to around 2012; the county's own page dates it to 1995. The Pinellas County Tax Collector does not administer any county business tax receipt program.