Gainesville Pet Grooming License Requirements (2026)

📋 Your checklist

State

1. No Florida state trade license is required for this type of work. You still need the local receipts below.
2. Business name and entity filings (Sunbiz)
   LLCs and corporations file an annual report ($138.75 for an LLC). Using a name other than your legal name? Register it as a fictitious name.
   ⏰ Annual report: May 1 ($400 late fee). Fictitious name: renew every 5 years
   Source: Florida Division of Corporations: File Annual Report · Florida Statutes §865.09 (fictitious name registration)

Local (Gainesville / Alachua County)

1. City of Gainesville Local Business Tax
   Required for businesses with a physical address in city limits, including home-based businesses. File the business tax affidavit packet from 2 weeks before to 7 business days after you open; later filing adds a 25% penalty, plus $250 if unpaid 180 days after opening.
   ⏰ Renew each September
   Source: City of Gainesville: Local Business Tax
2. Alachua County
   Alachua County repealed its local business tax, so no county receipt is required.
   ⏰ None
   Source: Alachua County Tax Collector: Local Business Tax