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Licensing

The City of Davenport welcomes and appreciates your business in Davenport. License and permit requirements are in place to protect business operators and consumers. Licenses and permits are non-transferable. 

PAY YOUR BUSINESS LICENSE ONLINE

PRINT A BUSINESS LICENSE CERTIFICATE


Retail and Sales
Alcohol Sales (5.10) (Iowa State Code Chapter 123)

The City of Davenport acts as the authority and has the responsibility to review and process all retail alcohol license applications prior to issuance by the Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division. 

Click here for more information about the qualifications and application process for a retail alcohol license.

Legal Authorization: Municipal Code Chapter 5.10
Iowa State Code Chapter 123

Cigarette/Tobacco/Nicotine/Vapor Sales (5.15)(Iowa State Code 453A.13)

The annual period for a cigarette/tobacco/vapor permit is July 1st through June 30th and the annual cost is $100.00. The cost of a new permit will depend on the month it was issued. A new application is required with each renewal of the permit. 
      
July-September October-December January-March April-June
$100.00 $75.00 $50.00 $25.00

Click here to download or print the Cigarette/Tobacco/Nicotine/Vapor permit application

Legal Authorization: Municipal Code Chapter 5.15
Iowa State Code Chapter 453A.13


Retail Sales (5.17)


The annual license period for a business license is April 1st through March 31st and the annual cost depends on the size of the commercial space. If a renewal is not paid paid by May 1st, a 10% penalty may apply. The cost of a new retail license is reduced to 50% if acquired between October 1st and March 31st. 

Description Annual Fee
Retail  < 4,000 Sq. Ft $75.00
+Additional 5,000 Sq. Ft  $50.00/Each
Retail (No Floor Space) $50.00
Retail (Seasonal) $25.00
Retail Blanket Annual $500.00 
Retail Blanket Single Event $100 

Click here to access the online application

Legal Authorization: Municipal Code Chapter 5.17


Motor Vehicle Sales (5.08, 5.09)

The annual license period for a business license is April 1st through March 31st. If a renewal is not paid by May 1st, a 10% penalty may apply. The cost of a new license is reduced to 50% of the annual fee if acquired between October 1st and March 31st. It is required to provide a site plan and State of Iowa Department of Transportation approval certificate along with the submission of a new application. 

Description Annual Fee
 Motor Vehicle Dealer $100.00

Click here to access the online motor vehicle dealer application.

Legal Authorization: Municipal Code Chapter 5.08 and 5.09


Resale/Secondhand Sales (5.22)

The annual license period for a business license is April 1st through March 31st. If a renewal is not paid by May 1st, a 10% penalty may apply. The cost of a new license is reduced to 50% of the annual fee if acquired between October 1st and March 31st. 

Description Annual Fee
Secondhand/ Antique Dealer (<10% reporting) $50.00
Secondhand/ Antique Dealer(>10% reporting) $300.00
Junk Dealer/ Pawnbroker $300.00
Itinerate Dealer $500.00
Auctioneer $150.00


Click here to access secondhand dealer, antique dealer, junk dealer, pawnbroker application

Click here for the online auctioneer application

Legal Authorization: Municipal Code Chapter 5.03 and 5.22


Transient Merchants and Mobile Sales (5.17, 5.18, 5.19)


The annual license period for a business license is April 1st through March 31st. If a renewal is not paid by May 1st, a 10% penalty may apply. The cost of a new license is reduced to 50% of the annual fee if acquired between October 1st and March 31st. 

Description Annual Fee
Transient Merchant (Door to Door Sales) $300.00 + 10.00/ Seller
Mobile Ice Cream Vendor $300.00
Mobile Food Unit/Mobile Vending Cart $55.00
Mobile Food Unit (Public) $225.00
Mobile Food Unit (Special Occurrence) $100.00

Click here to access the online transient merchant application

Click here to access the online mobile food unit application


Click here to access the online mobile ice cream vendor application

Legal Authorization: Municipal Code Chapter 5.175.18 and 5.19
Services
Alarm Business

The annual license period for a business license is April 1st through March 31st. If a renewal is not paid by May 1st, a 10% penalty may apply. The cost of a new license is reduced to 50% of the annual fee if acquired between October 1st and March 31st. 

Description Annual Fee
Alarm Business/ Central Station $50.00
Alarm System Direct $100.00


Click here to access the online alarm business application

Legal Authorization: Municipal Code Chapter 5.06


Garbage and Refuse Operator


The annual license period for a business license is April 1st through March 31st. If a renewal is not paid by May 1st, a 10% penalty may apply. The cost of a new license is reduced to 50% of the annual fee if acquired between October 1st and March 31st. 

Description  Annual Fee
Garbage/ Refuse Operator $50.00

Click here to access the online garbage/ refuse operator application

Legal Authorization: Municipal Code Chapter 8.08.120


Metal Recycler/ Salvage Operator



The annual license period for a business license is April 1st through March 31st. If a renewal is not paid by May 1st, a 10% penalty may apply. The cost of a new license is reduced to 50% of the annual fee if acquired between October 1st and March 31st. 

Description Annual Fee
Metal Recycler/ Salvage Operator $300.00

Click here to access the online metal recycler/ salvage operator application

Legal Authorization: Municipal Code Chapter 5.23


Public Garage and Vehicle Repair


The annual license period for a business license is April 1st through March 31st. If a renewal is not paid by May 1st, a 10% penalty may apply. The cost of a new license is reduced to 50% of the annual fee if acquired between October 1st and March 31st. 

Description Annual Fee
Public Garage $50.00

Click here to access the online public garage application

Legal Authorization: Municipal Code Chapter 5.07


Reflexology and Message Therapy


The annual license period for a business license is April 1st through March 31st. If a renewal is not paid by May 1st, a 10% penalty may apply. The cost of a new license is reduced to 50% of the annual fee if acquired between October 1st and March 31st. 

Description Annual Fee
Reflexology $100.00
Massage Therapy $0.00

Click here to access the online reflexology application

Legal Authorization: Municipal Code Chapter 5.24 and 5.25


Tree Trimming


The annual license period for a business license is April 1st through March 31st. If a renewal is not paid by May 1st, a 10% penalty may apply. The cost of a new license is reduced to 50% of the annual fee if acquired between October 1st and March 31st. 

Description Annual Fee
Tree Trimming $50.00

Click here to access the online tree trimming application

Legal Authorization: Municipal Code Chapter 8.14
Amusements and Entertainment
Live Entertainment (5.14)


The annual license period for a business license is April 1st through March 31st. If a renewal is not paid by May 1st, a 10% penalty may apply. The cost of a new license is reduced to 50% of the annual fee if acquired between October 1st and March 31st. 

Description Annual Fee
Live Entertainment $50.00

Click here to access the online live entertainment application

Legal Authorization: Municipal Code Chapter 5.14


Public Amusements (5.12) (5.13)


The annual license period for a business license is April 1st through March 31st. If a renewal is not paid by May 1st, a 10% penalty may apply. The cost of a new license is reduced to 50% of the annual fee if acquired between October 1st and March 31st. 

Description Annual Fee
Dance Hall $200.00
Theatre < 600 Seats $150.00
+ Additional 400 Seats $75/Each ($600 Maximum)
Bowling Alley $25.00/Lane
Miniature Golf $100.00
Public Amusement $100.00
Jukebox, Pool Table, Game Machine $50.00/Each
Amusement Device $20.00/Each

Click here to access the online public amusement application

Legal Authorization: Municipal Code Chapter 5.12 and 5.13
Home Occupations
HF 2431 prevents cities from requiring a no-impact home-based business to apply, register, or obtain a permit, license, variance, or another type of approval to operate. However, regulations may be placed on the business for the purposes of public safety, public health, and other community-related issues.
Other Licenses and Permits
Bicycle Permit

Having your bicycle registered may help the Davenport Police Department have it recovered if it were to be lost or stolen. You will need to provide your license number, serial number, and description of your bicycle. The cost to register your bicycle is $5.00.

Click here to register your bicycle online

Contractor License

The annual license period for a business license is April 1st through March 31st. 

Description Annual Fee
Commercial $300.00
Residential $200.00
Sub-Specialty $100.00

Click here for more information about qualifications and application process for a contractor license


Hazardous Materials Permit

The annual license period for a hazardous materials license is June 1st through May 31st. The cost of a new license is reduced to 50% of the annual fee if acquired between December 1st and May 31st.
The fees collected fund the Hazardous Materials Response Team. The Davenport Fire Department administers this program, and the fees support the training, medical surveillance, new equipment, and equipment sustainment. The cost is determined by two factors. First, by the maximum quantity of hazardous materials stored, and secondly, by the degree of risk or hazardous material presents.

Legal Authorization:  Municipal Code Chapter 2.36


Police and Fire Alarm System Permit


On August 22, 2012, Davenport City Council adopted a revision to Chapter 5.06 Police and Fire Alarm Systems. All alarm users who have more than three police and/or fire alarms in any consecutive twelve-month period shall be deemed to have committed a municipal infraction. The fourth violation and any subsequent violations within the same twelve-month period shall be deemed as violations. The civil penalty for the first offense is $75.00 and $150.00 for each repeat offense. 

If you have an alarm system or you recently moved to a location with an alarm system, it needs to be registered with the city. There is no fee for registration.

If you have any additional questions regarding the program, please contact Captain Jane Imming at 563-326-6109.

Click here to access the online alarm system permit application

Legal Authorization: Municipal Code Chapter 5.06


Rental Property License


The annual license period for a rental property license is August 1st through July 31st. If a renewal is not paid by May 1st, a 10% penalty may apply. The cost of a new license is reduced to 50% of the annual fee if acquired between January 1st and June 31st. 

Description Annual Fee
Two-Year Inspection Cycle $300.00
Three-Year Inspection Cycle $200.00
Four-Year Inspection Cycle $100.00
Multiple Units $5.00/Additional Unit
Vacant Rental Property $25.00
Failure to Register Rental Property $500.00 (Single Occurrence)

Click here to access the online rental property license application

Legal Authorization:  Municipal Code Chapter 8.15


Tent Permit


The City of Davenport requires residents and businesses who setup tents 10' x 20' or larger to inspected by the Fire Department prior to be open for public or event use to ensure the tent complies with Fire regulations found in Chapter 15.32, Uniform Fire Regulations.

Description Fee
Tent Permit (10'x20') $20.00


Click here to access the online tent permit application

Legal Authorization: Uniform Fire Code 15.32.070


Urban Chicken Permit


Residents are allowed to own urban chickens in the City of Davenport with an active urban chicken permit. The ordinance includes restrictions designed to ensure safe, clean and quiet operation of chicken coops with minimal disruption to the neighborhood, including:

  • Limit of 6 hens (no roosters)
  •   Separation from dwellings and property lines
  •   Certification of completion of a class in raising urban chickens
  • Regulation of the construction and cleanliness of coops
You must provide the following documents to [email protected] with the submission of your online application:

  • Legible site plan showing the dimensions and location of the proposed coop in relation to property lines and all adjacent dwellings
  •   Certification of completion of a class in raising urban chickens. The City of Davenport recommends the webinar offered by the Iowa State Extension.
  •   The tract of land to be permitted shall be occupied by only one single-family dwelling. The owner's  permission is required if the single-family dwelling is occupied by someone other than the owner. 
Description Fee
Urban Chicken Permit $25.00

Click here for the online urban chicken permit application

Legal Authorization: Municipal Code Chapter 6.06
Licensing FAQs
How long does it take to get a new business license?

A business license application may require approval from multiple departments. The process takes approximately 1-2 weeks once the applications and required documents are received by the Revenue Division. Missing information, errors, or failure to complete inspections may cause a delay in processing.

I cannot find an application that fits my business, will I need a license?

Several business types are not required to hold a license through the City of Davenport, such as no-impact home-based businesses, food service establishments, health care providers, salons and parlors, transportation, and other services. Although a license may not be required, please view the City of Davenport Municipal Code for regulations.

How do I register my business name?

A sole proprietor or limited partnership may register their trade names through Scott County Recorder's Office. A partnership, limited liability company (LLC), or corporation may file a fictitious name and certificate of existance through the State of Iowa Secretary of State.

Note: These services are NOT provided through the City of Davenport.

Will I need to obtain an EIN number or Iowa sales tax ID?

Your business may need to obtain a federal employer identification number through the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and/or an Iowa sales tax identification number through the State of Iowa Department of Revenue

Note: These services are NOT provided through the City of Davenport

How can I update information on my business license?

Licenses are non-transferable and a new application is required upon relocation or transfer of ownership. Other information such as a mailing address can be changed by contacting the Revenue Division.