Las Vegas Business License Estimator
Estimates based on the fees Nevada and the City of Las Vegas publish: the state business license ($200 a year, $500 for corporations), the city license application ($150), and the home occupation permit ($50). The city also charges a semiannual fee based on your gross revenue, which the city sets itself; it is listed in the result, never guessed here.
Estimates use Nevada Secretary of State and City of Las Vegas published application fees. The City of Las Vegas semiannual license fee is based on gross revenue under Las Vegas Municipal Code Title 6 and is set by the city at application and renewal; this site does not estimate it because the city does not publish a general tier table. We are not a government agency and are not liable for differences between these estimates and your final bill. Rules current as of October 2026.
Business Licenses in Las Vegas: The Honest Guide
Las Vegas has two licensing layers, and they behave very differently. The Nevada State Business License is simple: a flat annual fee from the Secretary of State. The City of Las Vegas license has a fixed application fee, then a semiannual fee based on your gross revenue that the city calculates itself. This page quotes every figure the state and city actually publish, and it tells you plainly which number nobody outside City Hall can quote for you.
What Las Vegas actually charges businesses
| License / fee | Current amount | Who pays it |
|---|---|---|
| Nevada State Business License | $200 a year | LLCs, sole proprietors, partnerships, and other non-corporate entities |
| Nevada State Business License, corporations | $500 a year | Corporations (nonprofit corporations are exempt) |
| City of Las Vegas license application | $150 one-time ($100 license + $50 processing) | Every business operating inside city limits |
| City of Las Vegas semiannual license fee | Based on gross revenue, set by the city | City licensees, paid in advance every six months |
| Home Occupation Permit | $50 one-time | Home-based businesses |
How getting licensed works
Start with the state license through SilverFlume, the Secretary of State's portal. Then apply to the city about 30 days before opening; the application is reviewed by Planning and Fire, and many categories need an inspection before the license issues. The state license renews annually by the end of your anniversary month, with a $100 penalty for late renewal. The city license renews every six months, paid in advance.
What that looks like in real numbers
- LLC offering services: $200 state license + $150 city application = $350 in verified first-year fees, plus the city semiannual fee.
- Corporation: $500 state license + $150 city application = $650 verified, plus the city semiannual fee.
- Home-based LLC: $350 + $50 Home Occupation Permit = $400 verified, plus the city semiannual fee.
- Nonprofit corporation: state license exempt, so $0 + $150 city application = $150 verified, plus the city semiannual fee as the city sets it.
The fee nobody can quote you in advance
The city's semiannual fee is based on the gross revenue of your business. The city's own instruction sheets say exactly that, and nothing more: no general tier table is published in the documents the city makes available, because the amounts sit in Title 6 of the Las Vegas Municipal Code and are applied to your specific category and revenue when you apply and at each renewal. That is why our calculator lists the fee without inventing a dollar amount. Budget for it, ask the Business Licensing Division for your figure early, and be skeptical of any website that quotes it precisely without knowing your category.
Two state extras worth knowing
If you sell goods, you also need a Nevada sales and use tax permit from the Department of Taxation; that is separate from both licenses above. Nevada's Commerce Tax exists too, but it only applies above $4 million in Nevada gross revenue, so most new small businesses never meet it.
Where to license
- Nevada State Business License (SilverFlume): nvsilverflume.gov
- City of Las Vegas business licensing: lasvegasnevada.gov
Frequently asked questions
How much is a business license in Las Vegas?
Two governments, two licenses. The Nevada State Business License is $200 a year ($500 for corporations, nonprofit corporations exempt). The City of Las Vegas charges $150 at application, plus a semiannual fee based on your gross revenue that the city sets at application and each renewal.
Why can't this site quote the city semiannual fee?
The city publishes that the fee is based on gross revenue, but it does not publish a general tier table; the amounts live in Title 6 of the municipal code and are applied to your category and revenue when you apply and renew. We would rather show you the verified numbers and label the rest honestly than invent a figure.
When do the licenses renew?
The state license renews annually by the end of your anniversary month, and a late renewal adds a $100 penalty. The city license renews semiannually, in advance.
Do home-based businesses need anything extra?
Yes. The city requires a one-time $50 Home Occupation Permit for home-based businesses, on top of both licenses.
Are nonprofits exempt?
Nonprofit corporations are exempt from the Nevada State Business License. City licensing still applies as the city directs, so confirm your city obligations with the Business Licensing Division.
Sources
Every figure on this page comes from an official Nevada or City of Las Vegas source, verified September 2026:
- Nevada State Business License fees and renewal rules - nvsilverflume.gov (Secretary of State)
- City license application, semiannual fee structure, and Home Occupation Permit - City of Las Vegas business license instruction sheets, lasvegasnevada.gov
- Semiannual fee schedules by category - Las Vegas Municipal Code, Title 6
Rules shown are Nevada state and City of Las Vegas license fees as published in 2026. Confirm your category and current fees with the city before finalizing your business budget. Last updated October 2026.