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Operating a Business in North Little Rock

Link to Business License Forms

  •    PDF Operating a Business in North Little Rock Summary
  •    Business License Fee Schedule
  • General Business Privilege License

    The City of North Little Rock requires a privilege license (aka business license) to conduct business within the city limits. 
    If your business is operated out of your home, you are also required to have a home occupation permit. 
    You must apply for this privilege license in person at the:

    BUSINESS LICENSE SECTION  (And for additional information or topics not covered in the summary.)
    North Little Rock Fiscal Control
    120 Main Street
    North Little Rock, AR 72114
    501-975-8895

    Privilege License Renewals are made at the City Clerk’s Office in City Hall at 300 Main Street.

    Topics covered in the Summary include;

  • Restaurants, Hotels, Beer & Liquor Privilege Licenses
  • General Sales & Use Tax Collection
  • State Sales Tax Number
  • Property Taxes
  • Registering DBA's
  • Incorporation
  • Zoning
  • Remodeling Permit
  • Historic District
  • Fire Code
  • Signage
  • Federal Tax Identification Number
  • Corporations and Limited Partnerships
  • Individual Operating Under Trade Name
  • State Unemployment Insurance
  • State Quarterly Withholding Report
  • State Wages, Rates, and Information
  • SCORE
  • Businesses Operating in Certain Fields
  • Utilities
  • Sanitation Services
  • City Taxes

  • A & P Restaurant Tax
  • A & P Lodging Tax
  • Liquor Sales
  • Beer and/or Wine
  • Restaurant (Mixed Drink)
  • Private Clubs (Mixed Drink)
  • Liquor Stores (Mixed Drink)
  • Restaurants, Hotels, Beer & Liquor Privilege Licenses

    The City of North Little Rock requires a privilege license (aka business license) to conduct business within the city limits. If your business is operated out of your home, you are also required to have a home occupation permit.

    You must apply for this permit in person at the:
    City Clerk’s Office
    North Little Rock City Hall
    300 Main Street
    501-340-5317

    Privilege License Renewals are made at the City Clerk’s Office in City Hall at 300 Main Street.

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    General Sales & Use Tax Collection

    The Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration is responsible for the collection of all sales and use taxes. Their phone number is 501-682-7104. If you have vending machines or video game machines, you must also speak with the miscellaneous tax section about tax decals for your machines.

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    State Sales Tax Number

    To obtain your Arkansas Sales Tax Number, contact the State of Arkansas at 501-682-7104 or visit their office at 7th and Wolfe streets, Room 211.

    Department of Finance and Administration
    7th and Wolfe Streets, Room No. 211
    Little Rock, AR 72202

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    Property Taxes

    Personal property and business person’s property taxes are handled by the Pulaski County Assessor and/or Collector. They are located at 201 S. Broadway and can be reached by phone at
    501-340-6170 and 501-340-6040.

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    Registering DBA's

    DBA’s (Doing Business As) or business names are registered with the County Clerk’s Office. Their phone number is 501-340-8500.

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    Incorporation

    If you wish to incorporate your business, contact the Secretary of State’s Office (Corporations Clerk) for forms and fee schedules.

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    Zoning

    Contact the North Little Rock Community Planning Department for zoning regulations that apply to the location for your proposed business.

    City of North Little Rock
    Community Planning Department
    120 Main Street
    North Little Rock, AR 72119
    501-975-8835

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    Remodeling Permit

    Before a business opens, a remodeling permit is usually required. Contact the North Little Rock Community Planning Department for regulations that apply to the location for your proposed business. All changes to the exterior buildings in the downtown area between Poplar, 9th Street, South Broadway and North Broadway must be approved by the North Little Rock Historic District Commission. This includes signage, awnings, and any kind of construction.

    North Little Rock
    Community Planning Department
    120 Main Street
    North Little Rock, AR 72119
    501-975-8835

    North Little Rock
    Historic District Commission
    506 Main Street
    North Little Rock, >AR 72114
    501-371-0755

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    Historic District

    All changes to the exterior buildings in the downtown area between Poplar, 9th Street, South Broadway and North Broadway must be approved by the North Little Rock Historic District Commission. This includes signage, awnings, and any kind of construction.

    North Little Rock
    Historic District Commission
    506 Main Street
    North Little Rock, >AR 72114
    501-371-0755

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    Fire Code

    North Little Rock Fire Department for specific information. The city has a class 2 fire insurance rating. This is the lowest rating in the state and assists the business owner with lower insurance premiums.

    North Little Rock Fire Department
    8th & Maple
    North Little Rock, AR 72114
    501-340-5377

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    Signage

    Businesses must have prior approval for signage and receive a sign permit from the North Little Rock Community Planning Department.

    North Little Rock
    Community Planning Department
    120 Main Street
    North Little Rock, AR 72114
    501-975-8835

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    Federal Tax Identification Number

    To obtain your Federal Tax ID Number, contact the Internal Revenue Service’s local office at 700 W. Capitol Avenue in the Federal Building or call 1-800-829-1040.

    Internal Revenue Service
    Federal Building, Room No. 2503
    Little Rock, AR 72201
    800-829-1040

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    Corporations and Limited Partnerships

    Corporations and Limited partnerships must be registered with the Arkansas Secretary of State. Secretary of State’s staff will assist you in registering if you visit them at 256 State Capitol or call 501-682-5151 for more information.

    Secretary of State’s Office
    256 State Capitol
    Little Rock, AR 72201
    501-682-5151

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    Individual Operating Under Trade Name

    If you operate your business under a name other than the owner’s name it must be registered with the County Clerk’s Office at 401 W. Markham Street, or call 501-340-8330.

    Pulaski County Clerk
    401 W. Markham Street
    Little Rock, AR 72201
    501-340-8330

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    State Unemployment Insurance

    Any business hiring one or more employees on a full or part-time basis must notify:

    Employment Security Department
    P.O. Box 2981
    Little Rock, AR 72203
    501-682-2127

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    State Quarterly Withholding Report

    Any business hiring employees on a full or part-time basis must notify:

    State of Arkansas Withholding Office
    P.O. Box 9941
    Little Rock, AR 72203
    501-682-7290



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    State Wages, Rates, and Information

    Information about wages in Arkansas, rates and other information can be obtained from the Department of Labor.

    Department of Labor
    10421 West Markham Street
    Little Rock, AR 72201
    501-682-4505

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    SCORE

    The Service Corporation of Retired Executives under the auspices of the U.S. Small Business Administration.

    Service Corporation of Retired Executives
    320 West Capitol Avenue
    Little Rock, AR 72201
    501-324-5893

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    Businesses Operating in Certain Fields

    Businesses operating in certain fields, such as those that require licensing, must register with the appropriate agency. Examples of agencies that license specialized business are:

    Health Department
    2800 Willow Street
    North Little Rock, AR 72114
    501-791-8551

    Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control
    100 Main Street, Suite No. 503
    Little Rock, AR 72201
    501-682-1105

    North Little Rock Fire Department
    Fire Marshall
    8th & Maple
    North Little Rock, AR 72114
    501-340-5379

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    Utilities

    Questions about utilities should be directed to one of the following departments:

    Electricity
    Utilities Accounting, City Services
    120 Main Street
    501-975-8888

    Water
    Central Arkansas Water
    221 East Capitol
    Little Rock, AR
    501-372-5161

    Waste Water
    North Little Rock Waster
    7400 Baucum Pike
    501-945-7186

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    Sanitation Services

    If you have questions regarding guidelines for City Sanitation Collection services or availability of privately owned collection services, contact:

    North Little Rock Sanitation
    500 W. 13th
    North Little Rock, AR 72114
    501)371-8340  or
    Email: nlrsanitation@northlittlerock.ar.gov

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    City Taxes

    A & P Restaurant Tax

    All foodservice businesses (hotels, restaurants, convenience stores, movie theatres, food vendors/concession vendors, etc.) are required to have an Advertising & Promotion (A & P) tax permit (there is no charge for this permit) to operate in North Little Rock. You must apply for this permit in person. Permits are issued through the City Clerk’s Office, City Hall, 300 Main Street, North Little Rock, AR 72114. The permit does not have to be renewed each year – it expires only when the business closes.

    All foodservice businesses are required to collect a three percent (3%) A & P tax on prepared food and beverages for on or off-premises consumption. Food and beverage vendors setting up for special events such as concerts and sports tournaments are required to have an A & P Tax Permit along with their privilege license. The A & P permit must be posted on site in the vending trailer. Food and beverage vendors are required to submit the 3% (three percent) restaurant tax on gross receipts following the event. Vendors may obtain an A & P Tax Permit, tax reporting form and privilege license by calling the City Clerk’s Office at 501-340-5319. Non-profit vendors must also receive a privilege license and A & P Tax permit. Non-profit food and beverage vendors will be exempt from collecting and remitting the A & P Tax. However, non-profit food and beverage vendors will need to provide a copy of the non-profit status letter as assigned by the IRS to the City Clerk’s Office upon applying for the A & P Tax Permit.

    Return to City Taxes


    A & P Lodging Tax

    All lodging businesses (hotels, motels, bed n’ breakfasts, inns, etc.) are required to have an Advertising & Promotion (A & P) tax permit (there is no charge for this permit) to operate in North Little Rock. You must apply for this permit in person. The applicant’s driver’s license will be copied to attach to the application. Permits are issued through the City Clerk’s Office, City Hall, 300 Main Street, North Little Rock, AR 72114. The permit does not have to be renewed each year – it expires only when the business closes. Lodging properties with 50 or more rooms are required to collect and remit a three percent (3%) A & P tax. Lodging properties with less than 50 rooms are required to collect and remit a one percent (1%) A & P tax.

    Businesses are provided a two percent (2%) discount on the early payment of the A & P tax collection if the City Clerk receives the money by the 20th of the month. Full remittance of collected taxes is due in the City Clerk’s office by the first of the month. (Example: Taxes are collected in January; the taxes remitted by Feb. 20 receive the 2% discount OR are remitted in full by March 1.) Taxes remitted later than the first of the month are charged a late penalty.

    If you have any questions about the A & P taxes or permit, call:

    North Little Rock Advertising & Promotion Commission
    #1 Eldor Johnson Drive - Burns Park
    North Little Rock, AR 72118
    501-758-1424

    Remittance forms to file your hotel and restaurant taxes can be obtained from the:

    City Clerk’s Office
    300 Main Street
    North Little Rock, AR 72119
    501-340-5319

    Return to City Taxes


    Liquor Sales


    All businesses (hotels, restaurants, liquor stores, bars, and private clubs must obtain a City Beer/Liquor/Mixed Drink license from the City Clerk’s Office to be able to sell alcohol in the City. You are first required to get an Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) license from the State before you may apply for your City license. A copy of the ABC license must be filed with us before you are issued a City license. Statements are mailed out the end of each June and will be due by July 31 of that year.

    Return to City Taxes



    Following is a fee schedule:

    Beer and/or Wine:

    Restaurants, Liquor Store, and Private Clubs -- beer/wine license are based on sales from the previous year July-June.

    $15.00 for the first $1,000.00
    $5.00 for each additional $1,000.00 of sales.

    Example: $20,000 amount of sales for the year

    $15.00 for first $1,000.00
    $5.00 x 19,000.00 = $95.00
    $95.00 + $15.00 = $110.00
    Total tax due = $110.00

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    Restaurant (Mixed Drink)

    99 seats or less $500.00
    100 seats or more $1000.00

    Private Clubs (Mixed Drink)

      $250.00

    Liquor Stores (Mixed Drink)

      $200.00

    If you have any questions regarding beer and liquor licenses, please call the City Clerk’s Office at 340-5318.

    Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control
    100 Main Street, Suite No. 503
    Little Rock, AR72201
    501-682-1105

    Return to City Taxes


    For Current Tax Rates for NLR call 501-975-8895, Office of Fiscal Control


    City of North Little Rock
    City Services

    120 Main Street
    P.O. BOX 936
    North Little Rock, AR 72115
    Phone: (501) 975-8888

    CONTACT WEBMASTER
    CONTACT CUSTOMER SERVICE




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