Starting a Business in New Jersey Cities
City-level guides to starting a business and getting a business licence in 20 New Jersey cities.
New to this? Start with the New Jersey business formation guide, then come back for the specifics.
City Business Licences
Newark Business License: License by Type, 1% Payroll Tax, CO and the Health CertificateWho issues it, what it costs, how to applyRead the guide →Jersey City Business License: No General License, but a 1% Payroll Tax, Zoning CO and Trade LicensesWho issues it, what it costs, how to applyRead the guide →Paterson Mercantile License: Required for Every Business ($50 + $125 a Year)Who issues it, what it costs, how to applyRead the guide →Elizabeth NJ Business License: Central Licensing, Construction CO and the 6% Hotel TaxWho issues it, what it costs, how to applyRead the guide →Trenton Business License: $300 for Most Businesses, Code Inspection and a January 31 RenewalWho issues it, what it costs, how to applyRead the guide →Camden NJ Mercantile License: $219.42, CO First and Camden County HealthWho issues it, what it costs, how to applyRead the guide →Atlantic City Mercantile License: CCO First, the 9% Luxury Tax and CRDA ZoningWho issues it, what it costs, how to applyRead the guide →Hoboken Business License: Clerk Mercantile License, Zoning Permit and a CCO on Every New OperatorWho issues it, what it costs, how to applyRead the guide →Lakewood NJ Business License: Clerk Licensing, $150 Commercial CO and Ocean County HealthWho issues it, what it costs, how to applyRead the guide →Toms River Business License: No Mercantile License, $120 Tenant Zoning Permit and Insurance RegistrationWho issues it, what it costs, how to applyRead the guide →Edison NJ Business License: Zoning Permit, CO or the Lighter CCO for Turnkey SpacesWho issues it, what it costs, how to applyRead the guide →Woodbridge Township Business Requirements: $450 CCO and the Commercial Zoning PermitWho issues it, what it costs, how to applyRead the guide →Hamilton Township (Mercer) Business Registration: Free Annual Registration and When You Need a New COWho issues it, what it costs, how to applyRead the guide →Clifton NJ Certificate of Business Compliance: The $175 Inspection Every New Tenant NeedsWho issues it, what it costs, how to applyRead the guide →Passaic NJ Business Requirements: $174 CO, $120 CCO and UEZ BenefitsWho issues it, what it costs, how to applyRead the guide →Union City NJ Business License: Chapter 234 Licenses by Business TypeWho issues it, what it costs, how to applyRead the guide →Bayonne Business License: Clerk Trade Licenses, Change-of-Use Approval and Owner-Occupied STRsWho issues it, what it costs, how to applyRead the guide →East Orange Mercantile Permit and the New 3% Hotel and STR Tax (2027)Who issues it, what it costs, how to applyRead the guide →Vineland Business License: No General License, Trade Licenses and the CCO Change-of-Use ChecklistWho issues it, what it costs, how to applyRead the guide →Princeton Business Requirements: Zoning Permits, Sign Rules and the 2025 Short-Term Rental OrdinanceWho issues it, what it costs, how to applyRead the guide →