The Business License Office business hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding holidays.

This office is responsible for the issuance of Privilege Licenses, Taxi Driver Permits, Ambulance Driver Permits, Tree Cutter Permits, Solicitation Permits, and the collection of Whiskey & Liquor, and Beer & Wine Taxes.

• Sales, Use and Lodgings Taxes
• Privilege License
• Privilege License Procedure

Sales, Use, and Lodgings Taxes

Sales, Use, and Lodgings taxes are collected by AlaTAX, which is located in Birmingham, Alabama. For information, call 1-800-556-7274.

Obtaining a City of Dothan Privilege License

Any person, firm or corporation desiring to engage in any business within the corporate limits of the City of Dothan, for which a license is required, shall obtain a Privilege License from the License Division of the City of Dothan. The license year for all types of business, other than Insurance Companies, begins on the first day of October and expires on the last day of September each year. The license year for Insurance Companies begins on January 1st of each year.

Privilege License Procedure

The following are simplified procedures for obtaining a Privilege License, and must be followed before a City of Dothan Privilege License will be printed:

1. Complete Application for Privilege License. This is obtained in the Business License Office, and consists of questions concerning ownership, name of business, type of business, address, (both mailing and physical location), telephone number, federal ID number, etc.
   

2. Complete Clearance Form. Businesses which are located in the corporate limits of the City of Dothan must be inspected and approved by the Building Inspection Department, telephone (334) 615-4452, Fire Marshall, telephone (334) 615-4520, Planning and Zoning Office, telephone (334) 615-4412, Engineering Services, telephone (334) 615-4422, and Utility Collections, telephone (334) 615-4110.
   

3. Businesses wanting to serve food must obtain a health certificate or food permit from the Houston County Health Department. For more information about obtaining a food permit from the Houston County Health Department, call (334) 678-2815.
   

4. If alcoholic beverages are applied for, applicant must have the Board of Commissioners approval. Application is initiated with the ABC Board, telephone (334) 792-9155, and applies to the sale of alcoholic beverages both on and off premise. Application is then filed in the City Clerk’s Office, Room 213 of the Roy Driggers Municipal Building (Civic Center), telephone (334) 615-3163.
   

5. Businesses in the building or construction industry, in addition to obtaining a City of Dothan Privilege License, must also obtain construction permits from the Building Inspection Department. For more information concerning construction permits, call (334) 615-4452.
   

6. If you have any questions or need more information, please contact our License Office, either by:
   

Records of licenses and taxes are classified as confidential.