To better serve and support local businesses, the City of Mesa will begin issuing a general business license on Jan. 3, 2022. The first 1,000 eligible small businesses to apply and receive a Mesa Business License will be offered a two-year membership to the Arizona Small Business Association (ASBA) - a $198 value - through the City's Office of Economic Development.
The Mesa Business License, which has been in discussion for years and is supported by the Mesa Chamber of Commerce, will enable the City to provide timely information and essential news for operating a business, especially in times of emergency. Additionally, the license will serve as a starting point for obtaining other permits and code requirements to do business in Mesa.
"The early days of the pandemic reinforced our need to connect with Mesa businesses quickly and easily," said Mayor John Giles. "The new licensing process is an important step in gaining a better understanding of our small business community, and in connecting them with tools, resources and other support on an ongoing basis."
The business license application fee is $10. As an incentive to apply early, the City's Office of Economic Development will sponsor up to 1,000 small businesses with less than 100 employees to receive a special ASBA membership in 2022. The small business advocacy group focuses on education, mentoring and training and offers business leads, networking events, and discounted services, such as digital marketing and shipping.
"Small business success is integral to the city's economic success," said City of Mesa Economic Development Director Bill Jabjiniak. "Being able to communicate with business owners about available resources, such as grants and free technical assistance, is important for helping our small businesses succeed."
Mesa joins several major municipalities in Arizona - including Scottsdale, Chandler and Gilbert - requiring businesses to be licensed or registered in their respective communities. Businesses must display the license where it can be seen, providing confidence to customers and validating a business's presence in the community.
"We stand behind the City supporting this new license because we see the value a license has for our business community," said Sally Harrison, president and CEO of the Mesa Chamber of Commerce.
The Mesa Business License application will be posted online. Licenses are valid 12 months from the date of issuance. Most businesses that collect sales tax, service businesses and home-based businesses will need to obtain the license. Some exemptions apply, including casual business activity and businesses called out by Arizona state statute.
Business owners can find more information and a list of frequently asked questions on the City's licensing page: mesaaz.gov/business/licensing.
Contact: Yvette Armendariz
(480) 644-6949
Yvette.Armendariz@mesaaz.gov