Apply for a Home Occupation Class C License

Step 1.Check your eligibility

To get a Home Occupation Class C License, make sure you have a valid driver's license and don't owe money to the City. We're unable to issue you a business license if you don't meet these requirements.

Unsure if you owe?

• Check if you owe court fees, property taxes or parking tickets. Call the Treasurer's Office at 616-456-3020
• Check if you owe taxes to the City. Call the Income Tax Department at 616-456-3415

Property Requirements

You'll need to make sure the property is properly zoned. Call the Planning Department at 616-456-4100 to check the property zoning. Check before submitting your application to avoid long delays in processing your license. You must be sole owner, joint tenants, or joint tenants by the entireties of the real estate.

Step 2.Apply for a Special Land Use Permit

You will need to submit a completed Special Land Use Permit Application to the Planning Department. You will need this permit before applying for your license. Submit a completed Special Land Use Permit Application(PDF, 289KB) to the Planning Department before starting your license application.

Step 3.Gather your information

A floor plan of the entire home with rooms for rent must be submitted with your application.

You'll need the following information for ALL owners, partners, or corporate officers:

• Name
• Address
• Last 4 digits of Social Security number
• Driver's license or State ID number
• Date of birth
• E-mail address

Have questions? Give us a call at the number listed in the Contact Us section of this page. There are many things that you need to do to apply for the license. We also have resources to help you prepare your application:

• Home Occupation Class C License Checklist(PDF, 183KB)
• Home Occupation License Ordinance
• Zoning Code

Step 4.Have your payment ready

There is a $580 application fee for new licenses. There is a $171 application fee for renewals. Application fees are non-refundable.

Step 5.Complete the online application

We use a third party system called Citizen Access for business license applications. If this is your first time using this system, it's a good idea to learn How to Create a Citizen Access Account.

Your application might take some time. That's why we recommend that you gather all the required information first.

Apply in English

Step 6.Prepare for your inspection

The Fire Department will contact you to schedule an inspection.

Step 7.We'll review your application

It takes us 5-10 business days to process applications. Keep in mind that it may take longer to process your application if we find that you need to make changes. We'll call or email you to let you know your license is ready. You can either pick it up from the office or we'll mail it to you.

The license must be displayed openly on the property where all customers can see.

Step 8.Renew your license

All licenses are good for one year from when they are issued. Make sure to note your expiration date so you renew your license on time next year.

Step 1.Check your eligibility

To get a Home Occupation Class C License, make sure you have a valid driver's license and don't owe money to the City. We're unable to issue you a business license if you don't meet these requirements.

UNSURE IF YOU OWE?

• Check if you owe court fees, property taxes or parking tickets. Call the Treasurer's Office at 616-456-3020
• Check if you owe taxes to the City. Call the Income Tax Department at 616-456-3415

PROPERTY REQUIREMENTS

You'll need to make sure the property is properly zoned. Call the Planning Department at 616-456-4100 to check the property zoning. Check before submitting your application to avoid long delays in processing your license. You must be sole owner, joint tenants, or joint tenants by the entireties of the real estate.

Step 2.Apply for a Special Land Use Permit

You will need to submit a completed Special Land Use Permit Application to the Planning Department. You will need this permit before applying for your license. Submit a completed Special Land Use Permit Application(PDF, 289KB) to the Planning Department before starting your license application.

Step 3.Gather your information

A floor plan of the entire home with rooms for rent must be submitted with your application.

You'll need the following information for ALL owners, partners, or corporate officers:

• Name
• Address
• Last 4 digits of Social Security number
• Driver's license or State ID number
• Date of birth
• E-mail address

Have questions? Give us a call at the number listed in the Contact Us section of this page. There are many things that you need to do to apply for the license. We also have resources to help you prepare your application:

• Home Occupation Class C License Checklist(PDF, 183KB)
• Home Occupation License Ordinance
• Zoning Code

Step 4.Prepare payment

There is a $580 application fee for new licenses. There is a $171 application fee for renewals. Application fees are non-refundable. Here's a look at our accepted payment methods:

MAILED PAYMENTS

• Check
• Money order

IN PERSON PAYMENTS

• Cash
• Check
• Money order
• Credit or debit cards (Visa, Discover, or MasterCard)

Step 5.Download the application

Fill out the PDF application and return it to us by mail or in person.

Download Application in English

Step 6.Mail or drop off your completed application

Make sure you have the appropriate payment ready. Refer to step 4 for accepted payment methods.

Step 7.Prepare for your inspection

The Fire Department will contact you to schedule an inspection.

Step 8.We'll review your application

It takes us 5-10 business days to process applications. Keep in mind that it may take longer to process your application if we find that you need to make changes. We'll call or email you to let you know your license is ready. You can either pick it up from the office or we'll mail it to you.

The license must be displayed openly on the property where all customers can see.

Step 9.Renew your license

All licenses are good for one year from when they are issued. Make sure to note your expiration date so you renew your license on time next year.

Step 1.Make sure we're open

Our office hours are 8 AM - 5 PM, Monday through Friday. We are out of the office on public holidays.

Step 2.Call us for instructions

You can find our number in the Contact Us section of this page. We'll get you all the information you need to apply for your business license.

Step 1.Check your eligibility

To get a Home Occupation Class C License, make sure you have a valid driver's license and don't owe money to the City. We're unable to issue you a business license if you don't meet these requirements.

UNSURE IF YOU OWE?

• Check if you owe court fees, property taxes or parking tickets. Call the Treasurer's Office at 616-456-3020
• Check if you owe taxes to the City. Call the Income Tax Department at 616-456-3415

PROPERTY REQUIREMENTS

You'll need to make sure the property is properly zoned. Call the Planning Department at 616-456-4100 to check the property zoning. Check before submitting your application to avoid long delays in processing your license. You must be sole owner, joint tenants, or joint tenants by the entireties of the real estate.

Step 2.Apply for a Special Land Use Permit

You will need to submit a completed Special Land Use Permit Application to the Planning Department. You will need this permit before applying for your license. Submit a completed Special Land Use Permit Application(PDF, 289KB) to the Planning Department before starting your license application.

Step 3.Gather your information

A floor plan of the entire home with rooms for rent must be submitted with your application.

You'll need the following information for ALL owners, partners, or corporate officers:

• Name
• Address
• Last 4 digits of Social Security number
• Driver's license or State ID number
• Date of birth
• E-mail address

Have questions? Give us a call at the number listed in the Contact Us section of this page. There are many things that you need to do to apply for the license. We also have resources to help you prepare your application:

• Home Occupation Class C License Checklist(PDF, 183KB)
• Home Occupation License Ordinance
• Zoning Code

Step 4.Prepare payment

There is a $580 application fee for new licenses. There is a $171 application fee for renewals. Application fees are non-refundable. Here's a look at our accepted payment methods:

IN PERSON PAYMENTS

• Cash
• Check
• Money order
• Credit or debit cards (Visa, Discover, or MasterCard)

Step 5.Visit our office to apply

Visit us on the 2nd floor of City Hall. Our address is in the Contact Us section of this page. We'll get you an application and answer all of your questions about the process. Make sure you have your payment ready. You can see our accepted payment methods in step 4 above.

Step 6.Prepare for your inspection

The Fire Department will contact you to schedule an inspection.

Step 7.We'll review your application

It takes us 5-10 business days to process applications. Keep in mind that it may take longer to process your application if we find that you need to make changes. We'll call or email you to let you know your license is ready. You can either pick it up from the office or we'll mail it to you.

The license must be displayed openly on the property where all customers can see.

Step 8.Renew your license

All licenses are good for one year from when they are issued. Make sure to note your expiration date so you renew your license on time next year.