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License to do Business
Renewal period August 1 – September 30, 2007 
By Robert C. Solera, Community Development Director
Florida State statute 205 grants the City of Sunny Isles Beach the right to levy a tax on the privilege of engaging in business within our city limits. Anyone running a business in our city must have a business license issued by the City of Sunny Isles Beach, Code Enforcement and Licensing Department.
A Business License is issued for one fiscal year which runs from October 1 to September 30 of each year. Licensed businesses have from August 1 through September 30, 2007 to renew their license for 2007-2008 without penalty.
On October 1, 2007 the penalty period for renewal of the 2007-2008 licenses commences. Unlicensed businesses are in violation of a number of laws and are thereby subject to enforcement action as necessary to bring said businesses into compliance with the law.
Section 205.053 of State statute 205 states:
“(1) All Licenses shall be sold by the appropriate tax collector beginning August 1st of each year, are due and payable on or before September 30th of each year, and expire on September 30th of the succeeding year.…”
“Licenses that are not renewed when due are delinquent and subject to a delinquency penalty…”
“(3) Any person who engages in any business, occupation, or profession covered by this chapter, who does not pay the required Business License tax within 150 days after the initial notice of tax due, and who does not obtain the required Business License tax is subject to civil actions and penalties, including, court costs, reasonable attorneys’ fees, additional administrative costs incurred as a result of collection efforts, and a penalty of up to $250.00.”
On or around August 1st, 2007, the City of Sunny Isles Beach Code Enforcement and Licensing Department will mail a courtesy renewal notice to all existing businesses in Sunny Isles Beach.
The City of Sunny Isles Beach adopted Section 197 establishing a license fee for all businesses and adopted Section 121 (Certificate of Use) establishing fees for the required certificate of use, and penalties for non-renewal of such certificate of use.
All businesses failing to renew licenses and accompanying certificate of use by October 1st are subject to the following penalties listed in the chart below.
Business License Non-renewal Penalty Fees
Month |
Business License |
Certificate of Use |
October |
10% Original License Fee |
10% = $38.50 |
November |
15% Original License Fee |
15% = $40.25 |
December |
20% Original License Fee |
20% = $42.00 |
January |
25% Original License Fee |
25% = $43.75 |
The amount of a yearly Business License tax varies based on the type of business. A Certificate of Use fee is $35.00/year – the same for all businesses.
Example:
Type of Business
HOME OFFICE/Airport shuttles/Administrative work only
The yearly Business License tax for a home office business is $150, and the Certificate of Use is $35. The chart below shows for this type of home office business the total fees, including any penalties, that will be owed based on when payment is made.
Fees for home office/airport shuttles/administrative work only
Month Payment Made |
Penalty Applied |
Business License |
Certificate of Use |
Total Fees Due |
September |
None |
$150.00 |
$35.00 |
$185.00 |
October |
10% |
$165.00 |
$38.50 |
$203.50 |
November |
15% |
$172.50 |
$40.25 |
$212.75 |
December |
20% |
$180.00 |
$42.00 |
$222.00 |
January |
25% |
$187.50 |
$43.75 |
$231.25 |
Opening a New Business
The Code Enforcement and Licensing Department guides new businesses through the process of applying for a Business License. This process assures that said owners have all the required documentation, certification, and/or registrations to operate legally. This may include, but is not limited to, obtaining any Federal, State, County, and/or City permits, licensing, certifications, or registrations.
Both State and City laws specifically prohibit the Code Enforcement and Licensing Department from issuing a Business License if the above referenced requirements are not met.
The Code Enforcement and Licensing Department also follows a process before issuing a Certificate of Use. This process assures that the type of business is one that is compatible with the zoning location as determine by Section 265 of the Code.
BUSINESS LICENSE Information Corner
- No Person, either directly or indirectly, shall, within the City limits, engage in or manage any business in the City for which a License is required without first obtaining the required License and the required Certificate of Use.
- Section 8A-172 of the City Code of Ordinances, as adopted, establishes the act of conducting any business without the required Business License as a misdemeanor.
- The Code Enforcement and Licensing Department can go through the process of denying the License renewal or revoking an existing License in accordance with Sections 197-13 of the City Business License.
Direct any questions regarding business licenses (renewing or applying for a new license) to the Code Enforcement and Licensing Department between 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. at:
Sunny Isles Beach Government Center
18070 Collins Avenue, 3rd floor,
Sunny Isles Beach, FL 33160
Phone: 305.957.1305.
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