Businesses With Additional Requirements

Review the list below for your type of business and see the additional requirements for each. Unless otherwise specified, these requirements are in addition to the ones for all businesses as stated on the Graduated Business License page.

Alarm Installation, and/or Monitoring Service Business

City Registration

You must register your alarm system with the City.

Communications Permit

If you are going to provide monitoring service, you must obtain a communications permit. Communication permits can be acquired at the Building Division.

Code of Ordinances Chapter 8.13 - Alarm System Businesses

Auctioneer Business

Auctioneer License

If you are a licensed Auctioneer in any county in the State of Missouri, St. Louis City recognizes that license. However, if you have an office in the City of St. Louis, you must still obtain an Auctioneer License from the City of St. Louis. You may wish to review the Missouri Revised Statutes, Section 343.080 Public Auctioneers for additional information.

On your visit to the License Collector’s office in Room 104 of City Hall, an auctioneer’s license can be purchased according to the following scale:

• One month date to date: $10.00
• Three months date to date: $20.00
• Six month date to date: $30.00
• One year date to date: $50.00

There is a $2.00 registration fee for each license.

Code of Ordinances Chapter 8.18 - Auctions and Auctioneers

Automobile Sales Business

Auto Dealer Tags

You must purchase City Auto Dealer Tags in addition to State Dealer Tags. The cost is $2.50 each. The number of auto dealer tags should equal to the number of dealer plates received from the state. Visit the License Collector's office for these.

You may apply for State Dealer Tags at a Department of Revenue Fee Office.

State Sales Tax Number

Register with the State of Missouri for a State Sales Tax Number and obtain this number before registering for your GBL.

Bail Bondsmen Business

Surety

Before visiting City Hall to acquire your Graduated Business License you must have Surety approved by the Court Administrators Office.

If you obtain a Surety Bond through an insurance company, that insurance company must also be approved by the Court Administrators Office.

Cable TV/Satellite Installation Business

1. Before proceeding with licensing, review the regulations for this type of business: 
   • Code of Ordinances Chapter 8.29 - Cable Television
   • Code of Ordinances Title 11 - Health and Safety Chapter 11.80 - Satellite Dish Antennas, Satellite Antennas or Other Similar Devices
2. Know the regulations on structures, location, screening, required permits, and location restrictions.
3. Bring proof of Workers' Compensation coverage with you or you will be asked to sign a statement stating that you have Workers' Compensation coverage or that you are not required by law to have it. 
4. Upon receiving your business license, you must also obtain a communications permit. Communication permits can be acquired at the 
   Building Division.

Catering Business

State Sales Tax Number

Register with the State of Missouri for a State Sales Tax Number and obtain this number before registering for your GBL.

Health Permit

Obtain a health permit from the Health Department. The Health Department requires a copy of your paid receipt for your Graduated Business License.

Cigarette Wholesale Business

Cigarette Occupation Tax

Every dealer or wholesaler engaged in the business of selling cigarettes or offering or displaying cigarettes within the city must pay an occupation tax of $3.50 per 1000 for all cigarettes sold or offered or displayed (seven cents per pack of twenty cigarettes). Tax stamps are provided as proof of payment of the tax.

All cigarettes sold, offered for sale or displayed in the City of St. Louis must have a St Louis City Cigarette Tax Stamp and a Missouri State Cigarette Tax Stamp affixed to the package.

To obtain more information on cigarette tax stamps please contact our office at (314) 622-4528.

State Sales Tax Number

Register with the State of Missouri for a State Sales Tax Number and obtain this number before registering for your GBL.

Construction - Contracting Business

Instead of a GBL, contracting businesses must obtain a Construction Industry Contractor Graduated Business License.

Dance Hall Business

State Sales Tax Number

Register with the State of Missouri for a State Sales Tax Number and obtain this number before registering for your GBL.

Department of Public Safety Approval

Have the approval of the Department of Public Safety and be inspected annually. The applicant must also file a written application and a plat of the premises. 

Day Care Business

State License

You must obtain a Missouri State License if you care for more than 6 children that are not related to you.

Contact the Missouri Department of Health and review the online information they provide on becoming a licensed child/day care provider.

Demolition Contractor Business

State Sales Tax Number

Register with the State of Missouri for a State Sales Tax Number and obtain this number before registering for your GBL.

Workers' Compensation Insurance

Bring proof of Workers' Compensation coverage with you, or you will be asked to sign a statement stating that you have Workers' Compensation coverage or that you are not required by law to have it. 

Fast Food Business

These instructions apply to Fast Food businesses only and NOT to sit down establishments.

If your establishment has tables and chairs, apply for a Restaurant Business License.

State Sales Tax Number

Register with the State of Missouri for a State Sales Tax Number and obtain this number before registering for your GBL.

Health Permit

Obtain a health permit from the Health Department. The Health Department requires a copy of your paid receipt for your Graduated Business License.

Grocery Store Business

State Sales Tax Number

Register with the State of Missouri for a State Sales Tax Number and obtain this number before registering for your GBL.

Health Permit

Obtain a health permit from the Health Department. The Health Department requires a copy of your paid receipt for your Graduated Business License.

Haulers Business

Vehicle Decals

After a Graduated Business License is issued, you must obtain one decal per vehicle from the Street Department. Bring with you proof of insurance, license plate number, and VIN number as well as a copy of your Graduated Business License.

Hotel / Motel Business

Hotel / Motel businesses require multiple licenses/permits. Please read the following sections for more information, and be sure to follow each step in order.

For Airbnb information, read the Airbnb and License Collector Voluntary Tax Agreement

State Sales Tax Number

Register with the State of Missouri for a State Sales Tax Number and obtain this number before registering for your GBL.

Local Taxes

You will need to pay room sales tax plus convention and tourism tax. Learn more about hotel/motel room taxes.

Annual Permit

You must receive an annual permit. This permit will be forwarded to you by the Building Division once you have applied and been issued an occupancy permit. Your premises will be inspected each year by the Board of Public Service and you must present evidence of a current permit before you may review your annual license with us.

Jewelry Retail and Repair Business

State Sales Tax Number

Register with the State of Missouri for a State Sales Tax Number and obtain this number before registering for your GBL.

Liquor Retail Wholesale or Manufacturer Business

All Liquor Licenses are processed through the City of St. Louis Excise Commissioner's Office.

If your business is a manufacturer, you must also have a Manufacturer's License. If you are a manufacturer of alcoholic beverages, you must file your manager's property declaration with the License Collector.

Manufacturer Business License

Instead of a GBL, manufacturers must obtain a Manufacturer Business License. View the requirements for a Manufacturer Business License.

Massage Therapy Business

Obtain State of Missouri License

Any person applying for a Massage Therapist/Massage Therapy Business license must first be licensed by the State of Missouri Board of Therapeutic Massage.

Parking Lot / Garage Business

All Parking Lots or Garages must file a report based on their gross receipts quarterly. Currently this tax is set at 5%.

Register with the Comptroller's Office

You must register with the Comptroller's Office at the location below:

Pawn Shop / Pawn Broker Business

Ordinance 63461 limits the number of Pawn Shops in the City of St. Louis to one license per each 30,000 inhabitants in the city.

Currently, the Pawn Shop quota has been filled. No new licenses are being issued at this time.

Private Investigator / Detective Agency Business

Police Records Check

Before visiting City Hall to acquire your Graduated Business License you must, obtain a Police Record check from the City. The records check can be completed at the Public Service Center.

There will be a charge for the record check. Cash or money order only. The charge is $9.00 and there is a three day waiting period. You will need to provide a valid photo, proof of birthdate, social security number, and type of business you need a record check for.

Additional Information

You must provide the following information: 

1. Experience Requirements, including Military Police, police experience or secret service.
2. Five references for each person including the owner and board of directors. The references must have known the person applying for license at least five years.
3. This information will be forwarded to the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department and must be approved before a license can be issued.

Restaurant Business

Instead of a GBL, restaurants must obtain a Restaurant Business License. View requirements and instructions for a Restaurant Business License.

Secondhand Dealers / Resale Business

State Sales Tax Number

Register with the State of Missouri for a State Sales Tax Number and obtain this number before registering for your GBL.

Additional Requirements

After filing with this office, your application is sent to the St. Louis Police Department for approval. The police department will contact you. Upon renewal of your Graduated Business License each year, your application will be sent for approval from the St. Louis Police Department.

All secondhand dealers are required to fill out and maintain a record of their purchases from sellers on a Secondhand Dealer Purchase Form.

Some specific item purchases must be entered into the Law Enforcement Agency Data System (LEADS). You can view LEADS registration instructions here. For any further questions about LEADS or the Secondhand Dealer Purchase Form, please contact the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department.

St. Louis City Ordinance 69332
St. Louis City Revised Code, Chapter 8.82.010 through 8.82.135

Security and Watchmen Services Business

Letter of Recommendation

You are required to obtain a letter of recommendation from the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department at the address below:

Sports and Entertainment Events Business

Gross Receipts Tax Form

There is a 5% tax of gross receipts collected on admissions to sport and entertainment events. Visit the License Collector’s office in Room 104 of City Hall to complete the gross receipts tax form.

State Sales Tax Number

Register with the State of Missouri for a State Sales Tax Number and obtain this number before registering for your GBL.

License Bond

Provide a cash deposit or a License Bond for a sum equal to the Collector's estimate of the actual tax to become due.

Pay Fees by the Due Date

On single events (Non Quarterly Filing Establishments) the fee is due within 15 days of the event.

For a single instance or limited time business, the tax is due to be filed and paid within 48 hours of the event.

Tow Trucks / Wrecker Service Business

Police Record Check

Before visiting City Hall to acquire your Graduated Business License you must, obtain a Police Record check from the City. The records check can be completed at the Public Service Center.

There will be a charge for the record check. Cash or money order only. The charge is $9.00 and there is a three day waiting period. You will need to provide a valid photo, proof of birthdate, social security number, and type of business you need a record check for.

Additional Information

Provide the following information:

1. Copy of current insurance policy with the following coverage:
   1. 25,000 Individual
   2. 50,000 Multiple Injury
   3. 10,000 Property
2. State title on each vehicle
3. Current inspection certificate on each vehicle
4. Three (3) printed copies of fees to be charged by towing company
5. On each side of a wrecker there shall be legibly printed in letters not less than one and one-half inches in height the following:
   1. Name and address of the license
   2. The phrase "Licensed Tow Vehicle of the City of St. Louis"
   3. The phrase "Request schedule of prices filed with the Police Department before engaging this vehicle"
6. Picture of one door from each vehicle with name and address showing
7. List of companies (names and addresses) with whom you have a contractual agreement.

Vending, Amusement, and Service Machine Business

Arcades and vending/amusement/service machine businesses must apply for a specific license and take some extra steps. View the license requirements for Vending, Amusement, and Service Machine Businesses.

Vendor - Itinerant Business

View the requirements for an Itinerant Vendor Business license.

Vendor - Sidewalk Business

View the requirements for a Sidewalk Vendor Business License.

Vendor - Vehicle Business

View the requirements for a Vehicle Vendor Business License.