Business Licenses

You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader© to view these forms.The license year for ALL annual business licenses obtained through the City of Battle Creek is May 1 through April 30th unless otherwise noted.   Our licenses are NOT prorated nor are the fees refundable.

To check if a STATE license is required click here.
License Fee Requirements Ordinance Reference
Ambulance Service $25.00 per year Completed application; proof of vehicle insurance; copies of all complaints filed with or against the ambulance operation for the past 18 months; copies of any disciplinary proceedings before the Department concerning the ambulance operation; rate changes must be filed 30 days prior to the effective date and performance criteria must be maintained and submitted to the City Clerk on a monthly basis.

Chapter 804
Amusement Device

$25.00/machine per year

 Completed application Chapter 805
Auctioneer $15.00 per day or $50.00 per year
 Completed application; $2,000 License and Permit Bond
 Chapter 806
Billiards & Pool Rooms $25.00 Annual Fee & $10.00 per table

Completed Application


 Chapter 840

$25.00 Annual Fee & $15.00 per lane

Completed Application


 Chapter 808

Carnival/Circus

Carnivals and Shows         $50.00 for the 1st day, $25.00 for each additional day

Circuses - $150.00 per day

Mechanical Amusement Rides- $15.00 per day per ride

Completed Notarized Application; $500,000 CSL Comprehensive General Liability Insurance


 Chapter 812
Chapter 816
Chapter 832

Downtown Vendor

$50.00 annual fee (includes 1st month fee); each succeeding month $30.00; 

*$10.00 per month for each additional employee (application must be submitted for each additional employee)

Completed Notarized Application (per person/employee); $1,000 License or Permit Bond (per person/employee); Automobile Insurance (if applicable); General Liability Insurance; Food Service License (if applicable), Valid Government Issued ID

 Chapter 864

Drop Box

$60.00/box per year

Completed Application; Scaled drawing showing the proposed site location and dimensions; Completed notarized property owner affidavit form

 Chapter 866
Electric Skateboards/Electric Scooters $1,000 Initial Fee
$500 Renewal
$250 Compliance/Inspection Fee
 Two Year License
Completed Application; Valid Michigan Drivers License of applicant; Copy of logo or branding on scooters;  Certificate of General Liability Insurance with a minimum combined single limit of $2,000,000; Automobile Insurance of no less than $1,000,000.00 each occurrence/aggregate; Excess Umbrella or Liability Insurance of no less than $5,000,000; Workers' Compensation Coverage; List of all Scooters/Units.  Compliance/Inspection fee is to be paid in year two of the license.
 Chapter 819
Going Out of Business

 $50 Original Application
$50 1st Renewal
$50 2nd Renewal
 Completed Application; notarized "Statement of Applicant", full, detailed and complete inventory of the goods to be sold including cost price of each item. No extensions permitted after second renewal. Public Act 39, 1961

Pawnbroker

$200 Annual Fee;  $10.00 per person/employee 


 Completed Application; $3,000 Bond with at least two (2) sureties; Valid Government Issued ID for each person
 Chapter 836
Refuse Hauler
  $100 Annual Fee, Inspection fee of $20 per vehicle 

Competed Application; $1,000 Permit Bond; Insurance requirements:  $500,000 CSL Comprehensive General Liability and $500,000 Automobile Liability


 Chapter 1064
Quadricycle Company $250.00 Annual Fee (includes inspection)
License Term: February 1 - January 31
 Completed Application; Valid Michigan Drivers License of applicant; Certificate of insurance with a minimum combined single limit of $2,000,000; Quadricycle Driver Permit Application for each driver; Documentation that each driver has completed the required quadricycle training program provided by the quadricycle owner Chapter 817
Quadricycle Driver $25.00 Annual Fee
License Term: February 1 - January 31
 Completed Application; Valid Michigan Drivers License; Documentation of completion of quadricycle training program Chapter 817

Secondhand Goods and Junk Dealers


 $200 Annual Fee;  
$10.00 per person/employee
 Completed Application; Valid Government Issued ID for each person
 Chapter 836
Shooting Galleries, Target Areas and Gun Clubs $25.00 Annual Fee

 Completed Application; Valid Photo ID for each owner/operator Chapter 844
Social District-Common Area Permit No Fee Completed Application; MLCC License; County Health Department certificates, licenses and/or permits to sell food; General Liability Insurance in the amount of two million dollars ($2,000,000) naming the City as an additional insured; written authorization from the owner of the property if the applicant is not the owner of the property

Management and Maintenance Plan

View the Social District Map HERE



 Public Act 124 of 2020; MCL 436.1551

Resolution No. 58
Temporary Off-Site Used Car Lot
 No Fee

Completed Application; State approval of a supplemental dealer license; property where the off-site sale will be conducted must be zoned appropriately for new or used motor vehicle sales; Scaled drawing showing the proposed site location and dimensions


 Chapter 862
Theater

Annual Fee Per Theater: 

* $25 up to 500 seats       

*  $40 - 501 to 1,000 seats  

*  $50 - 1,001 seats or more

 Completed Application
 Chapter 854
Tree Trimming
 $25 Annual Fee

Completed Application; $1,000,000 CSL Comprehensive General Liability (description of operations must include tree trimming and tree removal).  $500,000 Automobile Liability (insurance certificate must list schedule of automobiles).  

Click HERE to view a list of all businesses licensed as Tree Trimmers in the City of Battle Creek

 Chapter 860
Used Car Lot
 $170 Annual Fee (Initial/Late application)
$85 Annual Fee (Renewals - if received before 9/15)

License Term: October 1 - September 30

Completed Application; Site plans, drawn to a scale of at least 1 inch to 100 feet; Copy of State of Michigan license (renewals only); Evidence of ownership of the premises or an executed lease for the licensed premises; Copy of the repair facility registration or a written service agreement with a registered repair facility; Copy of license from the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality for underground storage tanks on site, if applicable and evidence (map) that the drainage from the licensed premise will be contained in a detention or retention pond or directed to the municipal storm water system

 Chapter 862
Vendor

$50.00 annual fee (includes 1st month fee); each succeeding month is $20.00; 

*$10.00 per month for each additional employee (application must be submitted for each additional employee)


 Completed Notarized Application (per person/employee); $1,000 License or Permit Bond (per person/employee); Automobile Insurance (if applicable); General Liability Insurance; Valid Government Issued ID; Food Service License (if applicable)
*Additional Information for Fireworks Vendors Can Be Found 

Click HERE to view a list of all vendors licensed in the City of Battle Creek
 Chapter 864