Will I need a business license to operate my business in Haverhill, Massachusetts?

Yes, but only for some of the business services, not for all. At this time the City of Haverhill requires business licenses for the following:

1. One Day All Alcohol License
2. One Day Wine & Malt License
3. Restaurant All Alcohol License     
4. Restaurant Wine & Malt License
5. Club License
6. Tavern License
7. Package Store All Alcohol  License
8. Package Store Wine & Malt License
9. Common Victualer License
10. Entertainment License
11. Motor Vehicle Dealers License Class I
12. Motor Vehicle Dealers License Class II
13. Motor Vehicle Dealers License Class III
14. Storage of Towed Motor Vehicle's License

http://www.ci.haverhill.ma.us/departments/license/fees.htm

Is there general information required for a Haverhill business license application?

Although the business license applications are all unique one to another, here is the majority of the information that you will need for the various applications. Please note that not all of the business license applications will require all of this information.

1. Business name
2. If applicable, your corporation name
3. The physical location of your business
4. Mailing address and phone number of your business
5. Date you plan to commence business
6. If applicable: health permit number, state sales tax ID number, or your federal employer’s tax ID number
7. A description of the business you plan to conduct
8. Ownership information: sole ownership, corporation, partnership, trust, LLC, or limited partnership
9. Owner name, address, social security number, phone number, and driver’s license number
10. You will need to sign your application which will verify that you agree to abide by all requirements that are in place to operate a business in Haverhill and that all the information that you have provided is true and complete 
11. You need to procure the signature of the owner or legal representative of the owner of your business property
12. A list of several questions in regards to potentially hazardous materials that may be created or stored, whether you plan to have adult entertainment, plan to sell alcohol, tobacco, and so forth. Answering yes to any of these questions will require that you give a thorough explanation on a separate sheet of paper. 
13. A business plot plan will need to be submitted along with your business license application which gives a floor plan of your business building, the cross streets and parking areas and a total square footage of the building you plan to use

Must I pay for my Haverhill business license?

Yes. Here is the most recent information regarding fees:

Application Fee - Liquor	200.00
All Others	40.00
Advertising Fee	75.00
One Day All Alcohol	125.00
One Day Wine & Malt	100.00
Restaurant All Alcohol	2500.00
Restaurant Wine & Malt	1875.00
General on Premises	2500.00
Club	2500.00
Tavern	1500.00
Package Store All Alcohol	2500.00
Package Store Wine & Malt	1875.00
Pro-Rated 2nd Quarter All Alcohol	1875.00
Pro-Rated 3rd Quarter All Alcohol	1250.00
Pro-Rated 4th Quarter All Alcohol	625.00
Pro-Rated 2nd Quarter Wine & Malt	1425.00
Pro-Rated 3rd Quarter Wine & Malt	950.00
Pro-Rated 4th Quarter Wine & Malt	475.00
Pro-Rated 2nd Quarter Alcohol Package Store	1875.00
Pro-Rated 3rd Quarter Alcohol Package Store	1250.00
Pro-Rated 4th Quarter Alcohol Package Store	625.00
Pro-Rated 2nd Quarter Wine & Malt Package Store	1425.00
Pro-Rated 3rd Quarter Wine & Malt Package Store	950.00
Pro-Rated 4th Quarter Wine & Malt Package Store	475.00
Common Victualer License	100.00
Entertainment License	100.00
Motor Vehicle Dealers License Class I	200.00
Motor Vehicle Dealers License Class II	200.00
Motor Vehicle Dealers License Class III	200.00
Storage of Towed Motor Vehicle's License	100.00

How can I apply for a business license in Haverhill?

The City of Haverhill has an online application which you will fill in and print. The application inquires what you will name your business and instructs you to provide owner and business contact information and a physical address for your business. You will declare the type of ownership of your business, whether you are a sole proprietor, a part of a larger corporation, or in a limited liability partnership or limited liability corporation. If applicable, you will need to provide your contractor’s license or your seller’s permit number. This is for construction and electrical work. Once you have completely written in your business information, you will need to print your application and return it to the City of Haverhill, either in person or by mail to:

City of Haverhill
Office of the Mayor
City Hall, Room 100
4 Summer Street
Haverhill, MA 01830

http://www.ci.haverhill.ma.us/departments/license/operating.htm

How long will my Haverhill business license be valid?

The standard Haverhill business license is good for one year, although there are a few that are valid for 6 months.

If I need more information, whom shall I contact?

Contact the Office of the Mayor for more information or to discuss your business license. The office can be reached via telephone at (978) 374-2300. Alternately, you may want to visit them in person at:

City of Haverhill
Office of the Mayor
City Hall, Room 100
4 Summer Street
Haverhill, MA 01830

http://www.ci.haverhill.ma.us/departments/license/index.htm

Boston	Brockton	Cambridge
Chicopee	Haverhill	Lawrence
Lowell	Medford	Newton
Quincy	Somerville	Springfield

Disclaimer: This site is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial or tax advise. The information on this site should not be relied upon as an official source of information and should be independently verified.