Most businesses that collect sales tax (retailers, wholesalers, restaurants, etc.), service businesses and home-based businesses operating in Mesa will need a business license beginning on January 3, 2022. Some exemptions apply.

A few exemptions are written into the code.  These include businesses not located in Mesa, government agencies and public schools operating within their official capacities, taxi/limousine services, tutors, babysitters, some independent sales representatives, and mobile food vendors and peddlers licensed under Mesa City Code, Title 5, Chapter 4 “Mobile Food Vendors” or Chapter 8 “Peddlers and Solicitors.”  Additional exemptions are businesses called out in Arizona State statute, such as, out-of-state businesses, food producers, residential rental property owners, and insurance agents.

The application/renewal fee is $25.00. However, to encourage early adoption, the introductory fee/renewal is $10 through Dec. 31, 2024. It is payable online with check, credit, or debit card.

Mesa’s overall business license cost is less than other city business licenses/registries in Greater Phoenix and offers multiple benefits (see below). Several municipalities in Arizona – including Chandler, Gilbert, Glendale, Scottsdale and Tucson - already require businesses to become licensed or registered to set up a business in their communities. 

The Mesa Business License will enable enhanced communication between us and business owners with the goal of providing timely information and essential news for operating a business in Mesa. The general license will ensure future emergency communications, ordinance changes, and information about grants and business development services will be communicated efficiently to ALL licensed businesses in Mesa.

As an incentive, the Office of Economic Development will sponsor up to 300 eligible small businesses to receive a special one-year Arizona Small Business Association (ASBA) membership, a $350 value. To be eligible for the special ASBA membership, businesses with less than 100 employees must be among the first 300 to activate a new ASBA membership after they apply and receive their Mesa Business License. Not available for current ASBA members. ASBA focuses on small business education, mentoring and training.

Additionally, a Mesa Business License:

• Provides a starting point for new businesses to obtain information about permits, other licenses, and code requirements to do business in Mesa.
• Validate your business presence in the community
• Provides confidence to your customers who see the displayed certificate

Opens the door to the Mesa Business Builder Small Business Assistance Program, which provides free customized professional support in marketing, accounting, strategic planning, and more business topics to help small businesses build a foundation for success. Program details at mesabusinessbuilder.com.

Starting January 3, 2022, a business license will be required for operating in Mesa for most businesses.

No. Beginning Jan. 3, most businesses will need to apply for a license to do business in Mesa.

During the 2022 and 2023 roll out of this new license, the City will be focused on educating the business community about the change and the value of becoming registered. See benefits.

Late fees and other penalties have not been determined.

The application will be available beginning January 3, 2022.

Applications will be online only through the DIMES portal. Find step-by-step instructions for setting up your DIMES account and applying for your license.

If you need access to a computer, you may visit the Licensing Office, 55 N. Center St., to use a computer kiosk and ask questions during the hours of 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday.

The form includes a few basic questions about the business. Additionally, you will need to provide relevant business documents and a valid government ID as proof of legal presence to obtain a license in Arizona.

Please contact licensing.info@mesaaz.gov if you need assistance.

Businesses may be subject to late fees and other financial penalties to be determined. If you are already licensed, be sure to renew at least 30 calendar days prior to your license expiration to expedite the process. You’ll receive email reminders 90 and 60 days prior to the expiration. Those attempting to renew 29 calendar days or less from the expiration will need to start a new application.

If you are selling a product or engaging in a service subject to Arizona’s Transaction Privilege Tax (TPT), which is commonly referred to as a sales tax, resale, wholesale, vendor or tax license, then you need to contact the Arizona Department of Revenue. See details on TPT Licensing.

If the business activity requires a TPT license, then the applicant will need to provide a valid TPT license number on the Mesa Business License application as a condition of approval.

Mesa’s business license is typically processed in less than 10 business days, provided all the information needed is complete. Your business license certificate will be issued electronically and can be printed remotely.

Each license is valid for 12 months from the date of issuance.

An email notification will be sent to the licensee 90 calendar days prior to the expiration with renewal information. Please note:  Licensees must renew 30 calendar days or more prior to expiration to maintain their license. Those attempting to renew in the final 29 calendar days or less prior to expiration will need to start a new application.

Once your business license application has been approved, you will be emailed a copy of the license certificate that you can print out and display.  You may also log into your DIMES account and print out a copy of your license certificate at any time. A physical license certificate will not be mailed.

You will need to print and display the license at your business in a place the public can see. If you run your business on the web, you may want to post your license on your website.

Yes. A separate license must be obtained for each business location.

Individual business licenses are issued for each separate business in Mesa, and a fee is collected for each of those business licenses.

The application fee for each business location and entity is $10.00. There is no discount given for multiple business or locations.

Yes. A separate license must be obtained for each LLC.

Each entity that you are “doing business as” and subject to the Mesa Business License will need to file for a license. For example, if under your EIN you have three retail shops by the same name at different locations, then you must apply for and acquire a license for each location/address. If under your EIN, you have three businesses with different names – all subject to the new license – then you need to apply for three licenses. However, if one or more of your DBAs is exempt, then you will not be required to apply for a license for those DBAs.

Note: Your EIN is not an indicator of the number of businesses you operate. The nine-digit number – issued by the IRS - is used to identify the tax accounts of employers and others. Learn more at www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/employer-id-numbers

No. Licenses are non-transferable. If the existing business moves, you will need to cancel your current license and apply for a license at the new location.

No. If there is a change in ownership, you will need to cancel your license and the new owner will need to submit a new Mesa Business License application.

Please complete our Business License Update Form online. Please note that the paid license fee is non-refundable. 

We seek to collect important information to help with communication and emergency situations. Data may also be used to identify small business and industry clusters, as well as help first responders. The City will limit the data that’s available, including personal information such as home address of the business owner. 

An example of the information that the City may provide includes: business name, business type, number of employees and business license expiration date.

Note: Much of the information requested in the application is public and collected in other filings (i.e. LLCs, corporations) and licenses, such as Liquor Licenses, Alarm Permits, and other City, County, and State regulatory licenses.

You can search our database for all active Mesa licenses in the DIMES portal. Once in the DIMES portal, select the “Search Licenses” option from the Licenses dropdown menu at the top of the page. You can search by license number, address, business name, license type, or any combination of the same. There’s no need to register an account or login. 

At this time, window decals are not being distributed. Businesses are asked to display their business license(s) where the public can see.

Applications are available now through the DIMES portal. Find step-by-step instructions for setting up your DIMES account and applying for your license.

If you are a casual seller (for example, hold garage sales, sell a vehicle or homemade goods), you are not required to register. A casual seller is defined as making sales only four times or fewer per year.

Please note: Sales may be taxable and may require a TPT License with ADOR.

Possibly. Did you set up a separate business (such as an LLC) to manage the property? If so, yes, a general business license is required. If you are using a separate property manager, that company would require a general business license, but you as the property owner would not.

Your rental may also require a short-term rental license. Also, please note a TPT License (applied through aztaxes.gov) is also required of all rentals.

Yes, commercial rentals require a Mesa Business License.

No. If your business is not based in Mesa, is solely participating in a special event and is listed on the special event vendor list, you are not required to obtain a Mesa Business License.

No. A religious, veteran, or civic service organization that maintains an exemption status under section 501 of the Internal Revenue Code and conducts business on four (4) or fewer occurrences during a calendar year, will not be required to obtain a business license. Any organization that does not meet these standards will be required to apply for a business license and pay all applicable fees.   

A person who has a valid specialty license issued pursuant to any of the following Chapters of Title 5 of the Mesa City Code: Chapter 4, “Mobile Food Vendors”; Chapter 8, “Peddlers and Solicitors”; and Chapter 22, “Automated Kiosks” will not have to obtain the new Mesa Business License.

An independent contractor or sales representative that is not registered as a separate legal entity and only offers products or services on behalf of a parent organization, such as health and beauty products, kitchen utensils, etc., will not be required to obtain a Mesa Business License.

No, there is no requirement for people engaged in that kind of business activity to obtain a business license.

Yes, if you are selling goods or a service that requires a Business License since your home acts as a headquarters for the business.

The Office of Economic Development is proud to sponsor up to 300 small businesses* with less than 100 employees to receive a special one-year membership from ASBA, a $350 value. Members have access to ASBA educational programs, benefit resources and networking opportunities to help them thrive in today’s economy.

Only 300 small businesses with less than 100 employees to apply and receive the Mesa Business License before June 1, 2025, will be eligible for the special ASBA membership. NOTE: Eligible businesses need to opt into and register for the bonus membership no later than June 1, 2025. To opt into and register for the ASBA membership, be sure to read the email received with your license issued. It includes a link to set up your ASBA membership account. ASBA will then verify the business is licensed before it is activated. A reminder email to activate this membership will be sent by the Office of Economic Development to licensed businesses added to the email list.

*NOTE: To be eligible for the bonus ASBA membership, the small business entity must have been issued a Mesa Business License. This means the business owner will have applied for and have completed all requirements – this includes uploading relevant documents and paying for the application fee – of the Mesa Business License. The entity must also employ fewer than 100 people. Larger businesses and current members of ASBA are not eligible for this special membership. Limit one membership per individual, as individuals may have multiple businesses.

No. Real estate brokers are exempted by state stature, ARS 9-491.01. Keep in mind, you can choose to be registered in Mesa and realize all the benefits of being licensed.

• Any person exempted by Arizona state law from business licensing requirements including, but not limited to, those exempted by A.R.S. 3-563, 9-491.01, 9-461.02, 9-1304, 20-1098.17, and 41-2052. Those listed include: out-of-state businesses, food producers, real estate brokers, residential rental property owners, insurance agents, and taxi, livery vehicle or limousine services.
• A federal, state, county, city, or town governmental agency engaging in business in its governmental capacity.
• A religious, veteran, or civic service organization that on four (4) or fewer occurrences during a calendar year conducts business in the City for a bona fide nonprofit purpose and maintains an exempt status under Section 501 of the Internal Revenue Code.
• A person who conducts solely casual business activity. For purposes of this, "casual business activity" means engaging in a transaction of an isolated nature, such as the private sale of a personal automobile, handmade good, or garage sale item, in the City on four (4) or fewer occurrences during a calendar year.
• A person who provides solely educational lessons or tutoring, such as music, language, cooking, swimming, on an individual basis and from a non-commercial location.
• A person who provides solely caregiving, childcare, or babysitting services and who is not required to be licensed by the state of Arizona pursuant to A.R.S. Title 36.
• An independent contractor or sales representative who is not registered as a separate legal entity and only offers products or services on behalf of a parent organization such as health and beauty products, kitchen utensils, jewelry, beautician services, or other services or products.
• A person conducting business solely at a "special event," as that term is defined in Mesa City Code Title 11, Chapter 87, with a valid permit issued pursuant to Mesa City Code Title 5, Chapter I and the subject business is included on the "vendor list," as that term is defined in Mesa City Code 5-1-2.
• A person who has a valid license issued pursuant to any of the following Chapters of Title 5 of the Mesa City Code: Chapter 4, "Mobile Food Vendors"; Chapter 8, "Peddlers and Solicitors"; and Chapter 22, "Automated Kiosks."

To complete your application, you will be asked to upload relevant documents, based on your business formation:

• For corporation, LLC, and partnerships:
  • Articles of Incorporation
  • Articles of Organization
  • Certificate of Limited Partnership.
• For sole proprietors and joint venture business entities:
  • Licensing Eligibility Form  
• For businesses that collect sales tax:
  • Arizona Transaction Privilege Sales Tax (TPT) license
• For all:
  • Government-issued photo identification card for at least one individual with 10% or greater ownership interest

NOTE: If you are engaging in any taxable activity within the Mesa city limits, you must register and apply online for a Transaction Privilege Tax (TPT) License at https://azdor.gov/transaction-privilege-tax-tpt. The TPT license is issued and administered by the Arizona Department of Revenue, which can be reached by calling 602-255-3381

Yes, because your home acts as a headquarters for your service business.