Occupational License (General Business)

Fees

• Fees are based on the type of business license you need to obtain. Click here for the fee schedule and business descriptions.

Required Documents/Steps

1. Confirm that the location is appropriately zoned at the location.
2. Apply online at the One Stop App website and attach the following documents:

• ​State Issued ID. A copy of a driver's license or other state issued ID for the business owner and/or agen
• Business Description. Provide a detailed business description (if known, include your NAICS Code). Please include:
  • Information on the types of products sold, services provided, or products manufactured.
  • If products are sold, whether they are sold retail or wholesale.
  • If food products are sold, how items are sold (in person or online).
  • If this is a Home Based Business, identify any business activity that will take place at your home (e.g. customer visits, outside employees, deliveries, product storage, business vehicle storage).
• Secretary of State Documents. If applicable, provide incorporation documents and/or current business filing from the Louisiana Secretary of State website. The business should have an "active" status. For more information on registering a business with the State of Louisiana, please visit Geaux Biz. To search current business filings, please visit the Louisiana Secretary of State's business search page.
• Floor Plan. Provide a floor plan that shows the layout of this business including uses of rooms, any major fixtures associated with the use, and adjacent tenant spaces (if applicable). The floor plan can be a sketch and does not need to be architectural plans. (This is not required for Home Based Businesses).
• Certificate of Occupancy that is consistent with the proposed use. If your business will be a different type than the previous business in the same space, then a building permit will be required. If no renovation work is taking place, then apply for a Non-Structural Renovation permit and note the change of use in the permit description section of the application. 
  • Read about Non-Structural Renovation permit requirements.
  • Read about Structural Renovation permit requirements.
  • Read about New Construction permit requirements.
  • All building permit applications can be filed online at the One Stop App.
• Additional Requirements. Depending on the type and location of the business, there may be additional occupational license application requirements.
  • View the requirements for new restaurants.
  • View the requirements for home based businesses.

General Information:

Payment is submitted to the One Stop App AFTER you are approved. The $50 fee is to be paid on the One Stop App website (Home Based Businesses also require a Certificate of Occupancy fee of $190 while all other businesses received their Certificates of Occupancy with their building permit)

After the Occupational License is approved, a Temporary Occupational License will be generated, and a pdf copy can be downloaded from the One Stop App. The second page of the pdf is your Amended Return form, which must be completed within the first 40 days of operation and mailed back to the Bureau of Revenue at:

• City of New Orleans Bureau of Revenue
  1300 Perdido St, Room 1W15
  ​New Orleans, LA 70112

Apply now

You May Also Need

• Alcoholic Beverage License
• Live Entertainment
• Special Event Permit
• Special Event Promoter’s Permit
• Amended Occupational License Form
• Licensing Dashboard

User Guides

Guide to doing business in New Orleans