Cities Covered
30
State Capital
Little Rock
Full Service
Research to Renewal
Every city has different fees, deadlines, and penalties. Miss your filing window and penalties range from late-fee surcharges to four-figure fines — and operating unlicensed can mean forced closure. Search below to get the exact requirements for your location.
Not sure what you need? Get a free compliance assessment — our licensing experts will identify every requirement for your business.
Businesses operating in Arkansas must comply with federal, state, and local licensing requirements. The specific licenses you need depend on your industry, entity type, and the cities where you maintain a physical presence or conduct business.
Most cities and counties require a general business license or business tax certificate to operate within their jurisdiction.
Register for sales tax, employer withholding, and any applicable state-level tax obligations before conducting business.
Regulated professions (legal, medical, engineering, accounting, real estate) require state-issued professional credentials.
Local zoning compliance, building permits, signage permits, and health department approvals may be required depending on your location and business type.
Certain industries require additional permits — food service, alcohol sales, firearms, transportation, child care, construction, and more.
Most business licenses must be renewed annually or biennially. Failure to renew on time can result in penalties and license revocation.
Operating without required licenses in Arkansas can result in:
Arkansas Secretary of State
| Fee | Amount | Period |
|---|---|---|
Short-Term Rental Permit Required for Airbnb/VRBO hosts. Requires a designated local property representative and $1,000,000 commercial liability insurance. Inspection required before operation begins. | $100 | annual |
Mobile Food Vendor License Required for vendors operating within Conway more than 14 days per year. | $250 | annual |
Ice Cream Vendor License Required for ice cream vendors operating within city limits. | $25 | annual |
Private Club Alcohol Permit — Initial Application One-time application fee for Private Club Permit (required for alcohol service in Conway — standard liquor licenses not available). | $250 | one-time |
Private Club Alcohol Permit — Annual Renewal Annual renewal. Renewal due December 1, expires December 31. If applied after July 1, prorated to $25. | $50 | annual |
Business Registry — Initial Registration Free initial registration for all businesses with a physical location in Bentonville. Must register within 60 days of opening. No approval process or inspection required. | Varies | one-time |
Business Registry — Annual Renewal Annual renewal fee. Non-profits are exempt ($0 fee) but must still register. Renewal window: November 1–December 31. Type A home occupations and short-term rentals are fully exempt. | $15 | annual |
Business Privilege License — Base Fee Base fee for all businesses. Add $1 per employee working more than 20 hours per week. Example: 10 full-time employees = $60/year total. | $50 | annual |
Business Privilege License — Per-Employee Surcharge Per employee working more than 20 hours per week, added to the $50 base fee. | $1 | annual |
Business License — Hotel/Motel Per-Unit Surcharge (over 3 units) Per unit over 3 for hotels and motels. See base hotel/motel fee entry. | $2 | annual |
Business Privilege License Free for all businesses — $0 license fee. License expires September 15 annually. Renewal window: August 15–October 15. $50 flat late fee if acquired or renewed more than 30 days after September 15 (~after October 16). | Varies | annual |
Business License — Sales / Retail Base Fee Base fee for sales and retail businesses. Add $3 per employee working more than 25 hours per week. Renewal due February 28. | $50 | annual |
Business License — Professional Services Base Fee Base fee for professional service businesses. Per-employee surcharge of $3–$20 varies by profession. Renewal due February 28. | $75 | annual |
Business License — Contractor / Child Care Base Fee Base fee for contractors and child care businesses. Per-employee surcharge applies. Renewal due February 28. | $40 | annual |
Business License — Per-Employee Surcharge (Standard) Per employee working more than 25 hours per week for most categories. Professional services may be $3–$20 depending on profession type. | $3 | annual |
Certificate of Occupancy (COO) Inspection Fee Required for each business location before opening. Inventory must be at least 80% stocked before scheduling. Requires 24-hour advance notice. Restaurants need Health Department approval first. | $25 | one-time |
Short-Term Rental — Minimum Annual Fee Minimum annual fee for STR businesses: $50 per person of authorized overnight capacity, with a $200 minimum. Violations: $1,000 first offense, $2,000 second, $4,000+ thereafter. Governed by separate STR ordinance from the general Occupation Tax. | $200 | annual |
General Contractor License Annual contractor license for general contractors. Requires a $10,000 surety bond payable to the city. Per Ordinance 987. | $300 | annual |
Sub-Contractor License Annual license for sub-contractors (plumbing, electrical, mechanical, etc.). See specific trade contractor entries for bond requirements. Per Ordinance 987. | $100 | annual |
Mechanical Contractor License Annual license for mechanical contractors. Requires a $5,000 surety bond. Per Ordinance 987. | $150 | annual |
Electrical Contractor License Annual license for electrical contractors. Requires a $10,000 surety bond. Per Ordinance 987. | $125 | annual |
Plumbing Contractor License Annual license for plumbing contractors. Requires a $5,000 surety bond. Per Ordinance 987. | $125 | annual |
Retail Beer License Annual license for retail beer sales. Per Ordinance 987 fee schedule. | $80 | annual |
Retail Wine License Annual license for retail wine sales. Per Ordinance 987 fee schedule. | $25 | annual |
Retail Liquor License Annual license for retail liquor sales. Per Ordinance 987 fee schedule. | $500 | annual |
Yard Sale Permit Per yard sale permit. Maximum 2 permits per address per year. Per Ordinance 987. | $15 | one-time |
Business Permit — 0–3 Employees Annual fee for businesses with 0–3 employees. Renewal due January 31. New businesses require fire and building inspection before permit is issued. | $25 | annual |
Business Permit — 4–10 Employees Annual fee for businesses with 4–10 employees. Renewal due January 31. | $50 | annual |
Business Permit — 11–25 Employees Annual fee for businesses with 11–25 employees. Renewal due January 31. | $100 | annual |
Business Permit — 26–99 Employees Annual fee for businesses with 26–99 employees. Renewal due January 31. | $200 | annual |
Business Permit — 100+ Employees Annual fee for businesses with 100 or more employees. Renewal due January 31. | $400 | annual |
Alcohol Retail License Surcharge Additional surcharge on top of the standard employee-tier fee for businesses with an alcohol retail license. | $500 | annual |
Private Club Permit Annual fee for a Private Club Permit (alcohol service for private clubs/restaurants). | $750 | annual |
Business License — Initial Application Fee One-time initial fee for new businesses. Must apply upon beginning operations. Ordinance enacted November 2025; enforcement began February 9, 2026. Pro-rated at 50% if applied on or after June 1. | $25 | one-time |
Business License — Annual Renewal Fee Annual renewal fee. License term: January 1–December 31. Renewal window: November 1–December 31. $50–$500/day penalty for operating without a valid license. | $10 | annual |
Business License — Sole Proprietor Annual fee for sole proprietors (no employees). Renewal due June 1 — note this is later than most Arkansas cities (January 31). Late penalty 25% after July 1. | $50 | annual |
Business License — 1–9 Employees Annual fee for businesses with 1–9 employees. Renewal due June 1. | $75 | annual |
Business License — 10–24 Employees Annual fee for businesses with 10–24 employees. Renewal due June 1. | $150 | annual |
Business License — 25–74 Employees Annual fee for businesses with 25–74 employees. Renewal due June 1. | $300 | annual |
Business License — 75–99 Employees Annual fee for businesses with 75–99 employees. Renewal due June 1. | $450 | annual |
Business License — 100+ Employees Annual fee for businesses with 100 or more employees. Renewal due June 1. Non-profits apply but pay no fee. | $600 | annual |
Business License — Base Fee Flat base fee for most business categories (effective January 1, 2022). Add $5 per employee over 5 for service, retail, wholesale, contractor, and entertainment categories. | $25 | annual |
Business License — Per-Employee Surcharge (over 5 employees) Per employee over 5 for service, wholesale/retail, contractor, and entertainment businesses. Example: 10 employees = $25 base + $25 (5 employees × $5) = $50 total. | $5 | annual |
Business License — Hotel / Motel Base fee for hotels and motels, plus $2 per unit over 3 units. Example: 20-unit motel = $25 + (17 × $2) = $59/year. | $25 | annual |
Select a city to learn about local business license requirements. CLS provides licensing services in every Arkansas jurisdiction.