Operating A Business

This page explains the process of obtaining a Business Tax Receipt for the purpose of operating a business in Orange County, Florida. This page also provides links to other resources to assist customers with the online permitting process.

• Process Outline
• Guidelines for Home Based Businesses
• Guidelines for Commercial Businesses
• Roadmap to Operating a Business in Orange County
• Contact Us

The Orange County Zoning Division must approve all proposed new businesses located within Unincorporated Orange County.

The Orange County Zoning Division will not accept Business Tax Receipt (BTR) Applications in-person. All Business Tax Receipt Applications must be submitted electronically through Orange County Fast Track.

Please follow these Business Tax Receipt Submittal Guidelines

To Apply for a Business Tax Receipt, please follow these steps:

• Download and Complete Business Tax Receipt (BTR) Zoning Approval Form
• Create a Fast Track Account using the online registration form. When creating your account, please choose the “Zoning/BZA category”
• Submit the application online through Orange County Fast Track.

If proposing a home-based business please review the following guidelines:

• Home based business shall comply with FS §559.955.
• A business is considered a home-based business if it operates, in whole or in part, from a residentially zoned property.
• The activities of a home-based business must be secondary to the property’s primary use as a dwelling unit.
• The employees who work at the residence must also reside at the residence, except:
  • a. A maximum of two (2) independent contractors who do not live at the home, may work at the home.
  • b. The business may have additional remote employees that do not work at the residential dwelling.
• The view of the residential property from the street must be consistent with the uses of the residential areas surrounding the property.
• The parking of commercial and dual rear wheeled vehicles shall be prohibited at the location of the home based business.
• Any ancillary trailers or equipment used in conjunction with the home based business must not be visible from the street, or any abutting properties, and must be parked on an improved surface in compliance with County standards.
• For a home based limousine service or business, a vehicle for hire form is required.

The following steps apply to Commercial Businesses only, NOT a Home-Based Business:

• Associated Required Building Permit
  • a. New Structure: Must apply for a building permit and receive the Certificate of Occupancy before the Business Tax Receipt (BTR) will be issued.
  • b. Existing structure with no alterations or any change of occupancy classification: A Use Permit will be created for you, and linked to your BTR application. You must login to Fast Track and complete information under “My Permits” for the Use Permit.
  • c. Existing structure with changes: Apply for a Commercial Alteration (Interior and/or Exterior) permit on Fast Track.
• Complete Inspections and Pay Fees
  • Use Fast Track to schedule your inspections and pay for any additional fees. Use Fast Track to view your inspector’s progress on the way to your site and review the results of your inspections.
• Receive Certificate of Occupancy
  • After your final inspection has been completed with no division holds on your permit and no outstanding fees owed you will receive your “C. of O.”. For a copy of the “C. of O.” please send a request to buildingrecords@ocfl.net
• After you have received approval from the Zoning Division, paid all your fees, and receive a “C. of O.” from the Division of Building Safety, if applicable, you will then need to contact the Business Tax Department for further instruction. The Business Tax Office may be reached at 407-434-0312 option 2 for the business & property tax department.

For questions, please call the Zoning Division

Phone: (407) 836-3111
Email: Zoning@ocfl.net