Home and General Business Licenses

Other Licenses and Permits

  • Construction, Building, or Trades: Please visit the Licensed Contractors page for more information about Licenses and Permits for construction, building, or trades (such as sprinkler system maintenance, concrete, remodeling, plumbing, electrical, etc).
  • Door-To-Door Sales/Marketing and Mobile Businesses:  Most door-to-door sales/marketing and sales from mobile or temporary locations (such as ice cream trucks, tents, etc.) are regulated by  City Code Chapter 3 Article 3 . Each individual person engaged in sales/soliciting must submit an application, consent to a background check, provide a photo ID, and pay a fee. Applications will be processed within 3-5 business days after they are received by the City. 

Home or General Business License

Business owners can  apply for a Home or General Business Licenses online. All Home and General Business Licenses expire on December 31st. If you close or move your business, please contact the City Clerk so that we may update our records.  

Who Needs a Home or General Business License?

  • General Business License: Businesses regularly doing business from a fixed location within the City limits of Bel Aire, Kansas must apply for a General Business License according to City Code Chapter 3 Article 4.
  • Home Business License: Residents of Bel Aire, Kansas engaged in home occupations that may have an impact on their neighborhood as defined by City Code Chapter 18 Article 8 "Home Occupations" must apply for a Home Business License.
    • Home Occupations: City Code defines home occupations as money-earning activities occurring at the residence, where the anticipated income is $2,500 or more per year. For licensing purposes, home occupations are classified in 3 tiers, based on their impact on the surrounding neighborhood:
      • Tier one has minimal impact on the neighborhood -- licensing is not required. 
      • Tier two requires licensing. 
      • Tier three requires licensing and a conditional use permit. 

The chart below gives some examples of Home Occupations.

  1. TIER TWO
  2. TIER THREE

1. Business complies with all of the use limitations for the zoning district in which it is located and


2. Business has No Impact on neighborhood:

  • Business does NOT materially change the existing noise, traffic, odor, outdoor external storage or external lighting requirements of the neighborhood in which it operates
  • No external storage used for the home occupation
  • No business-related sign visible from outside. Business-related vehicles are excluded from this limitation. Refer to the City Sign Code. 
  • Business traffic to or from the residence is five (5) or LESS vehicles per day,
  • Two (2) or LESS on-site employees other than members of the immediate family permanently occupying such residence.
  • Business does not raise public health, public safety, or public welfare concerns as determined by the Police Chief or City Zoning Administrator

Some Examples of Tier One Home Occupations

  • Administrative offices of business/trade
  • Arts and crafts activities
  • Baking/catering
  • Beauty salon
  • Clerical/secretarial
  • Day-time adult care
  • Direct sales
  • Floral or interior design
  • Jewelry, watch, clock repair
  • Engraving
  • Locksmith
  • Maid, laundry service
  • Internet business
  • Professional or administrative offices (including psychological, lawyer, accountant, engineer, architect or similar)
  • Photography
  • Picture framing
  • Scissors, saw, blade sharpening 
  • Small electronics repair
  • Seamstress, tailoring,
  • Tutoring, education or training