Licensing a Home-based Business

Many types of small business can be licensed at a residence.  A home-based business should be one that has no impact on the neighborhood and is essentially invisible to the neighbors.  A home occupation permit is required and there is an additional charge of $50 for this permit, but the licensing process is essentially the same.  There are some restrictions on the type of merchandise or services provided through a home-based business.  Sales of ammunition, explosives and weapons are not allowed at a residence.  Motor vehicle repair and commercial preparation of food at the residence are also prohibited.  Customers and employees are generally not allowed at the residence, although a teaching or tutoring business is allowed to have not more than two students at a time at the residence.  A detailed list of the conditions is included in our online application and is part of our paper application form.   Click here to see the list of conditions.

Whether you are filing online, in person or by mail, you will need to complete the following steps.

1. Apply for your Nevada State Business License with the Nevada Secretary of State. To apply online, click here . The Las Vegas office of the Secretary of State is located at 555 E. Washington Ave., Suite 5200.  When you have completed that application, you should have either a Nevada State Business License number or a certificate of exemption from that agency.
   
   
2. Apply for your Nevada State Sales & Use Tax Permit with the Nevada Department of Taxation.  To apply online, click here , or at their Las Vegas office at 555 E. Washington Ave., Suite 1300.  Again, when you have completed that process, you should have a license number, a confirmation number or a written exemption.
   
   Both these steps must be completed before your local license application can be accepted for processing.
   
   
3. When you have completed these steps, you are ready to apply for your local license.  General license applications can usually be handled entirely online.  To apply online, click here.  Licenses may take up to 30 days to be issued, but normal turnaround time is about seven days.  For more information on license types and license fees, click here.
   
   Applications may also be filed person at our office or by mail. Our street and mailing address is:   
   Business Services Division
   333 N. Rancho Drive, 6th Floor
   Las Vegas, NV 89106

For a list of available forms click here, most of these can be filled out and printed on your home computer.  Our e-mail address is: License@lasvegasnevada.gov.