Starting a Business in Westlake

Any person or business selling merchandise or providing services in the City of Westlake must have a Local Business Tax Receipt. This requirement includes one-person and home-based businesses. Each Local Business Tax Receipt shall be valid for no more than one year. Tax receipts shall be issued beginning on October 1, of each year and shall expire on September 30 of the following year. A Local Business Tax Receipt is in addition to licenses required by law or municipal ordinances. It is subject to zoning regulations, health regulations and any other lawful authority (City Ordinance No. 2016-6). A local business tax receipt does not regulate a business or guarantee quality of the work.

Before You Apply

IMPORTANT – Please review all instructions carefully.  All incomplete applications will be rejected and will need to be resubmitted once all requirements are met.

• Have a copy of the Fictitious Name Registration (If applicable)
• Obtain Zoning Approval
  • A Certificate of Use application is to be completed, notarized and submitted to the City of Westlake’s, Planning and Zoning Department, 4001 Seminole Pratt Whitney Road, Westlake, Florida 33470.
• Complete the City of Westlake’s Local Business Tax Receipt application
  • Change of business location requires zoning approval, a new application, payment of a transfer fee and surrender of the current Local Business Tax Receipt.
  • Change of ownership requires proof of the sale of the business, a new application, payment of a transfer fee and surrender of the current Local Business Tax Receipt.
• Palm Beach County Business Tax Application – The county requires their application to be signed by the City of Westlake prior to submitting it to the county. For further county requirements and fees contact the Palm Beach County Tax Collector at (561) 355-2272.
• Copies of State or County Certifications/Licenses (If applicable)

All applications are to be submitted to info@westlakegov.com. Once the completed application has been received along with the required documentation, the application will be reviewed and the applicant will be notified via email of the amount due, based on the business classification, and will be provided a link to make a payment. This fee must be paid to complete the process.