Need help starting your business in Belmopan?
C ome visit us at the Office of Development and Innovation at the Belmopan City Council, or it can now be done completely online through email. Our friendly and committed staff is more than ready and willing to assist you.
A Business Support Desk is established under the Office of Development and Innovation to facilitate business interaction. If you have any query on how to start your business or you’re in need of business related information visit our support desk or call +501-822-2271 ext. 242. If you wish to apply online, you can do so by filling out the application, and sending it to led@belmopancitycouncil.org, where our staff will then guide you through the process.
“Trade means any business in the course of which any services, goods, wares, merchandise or provisions are sold and includes a business in which services, produce or goods of any sort are exported from Belize and any vacation set out in sections 27 and 31 of this Act, but shall not include any business set out in the First Schedule.” (Trade Licensing Act, Chp. 66, Revised Edition 2020).
Every person who wishes to commence a trade within the city limits shall, before he commences such a business, submit to the Board of the city wherein he proposes to set his trade, an application in writing signed by him setting out the nature of the trade he proposes to set up, his name and address, his place of birth and nationality and such other particulars as may be relevant to his application (Trade Licensing Act, Chp. 66, Revised Edition 2020)
Existing
- Copy of valid Belize Social Security Card or Belize Passport
- Copy of Business Certificate of Registration or Incorporation
- Completed Trade License Application (state on application how long the business has been in operation)
- Copy of land title, or lease agreement from land owner
New
- Copy of valid Belizean Social Security Card or Belizean Passport
- Copy of Business Certificate of Registration or Incorporation
- Completed Trade License Application Form
- Proof of land ownership
- Retal agreement from land owner, if property isn’t owned by applicant
- Zero balance on property and garbage fees on business address
- Special Meeting fee of $150.00, if application falls outside quarterly meeting
Renewal
- Copy of valid Belize Social Security Card or Belize Passport
- Copy of Business Certificate of Registration or Incorporation
- Completed Trade License Application
- Copy of land title, or lease agreement from land owner
Appeal
- All outstanding invoices must be paid
- Letter address to CA or Mayor justifying
- Copy of valid Belize Social Security Card or Belize Passport
- Copy of Business Certificate of Registration or Incorporation
- Copy of land title, or lease agreement from land owner
Re-Location
- Copy of valid Belizean Social Security Card or Belizean Passport
- Copy of Business Certificate of Registration, or Incorporation with Articles and Memorandum
- Completed Trade License Application (with new address)
- Proof of land ownership
- Retal agreement from land owner, if property isn’t owned by applicant
- Zero balance on property and garbage fees of new business address
- Special Meeting fee of $150.00, if application falls outside quarterly meeting
Closure
- Copy of valid Belize Social Security Card or Belize Passport
- Completed Trade License Application
- Closure letter to address to Revenue Department
- Copy of most recent trade license
- All outstanding fees must be paid in full
- Closure fee must be paid ($10.00)
Change (Business Name)
- Copy of New Business Certificate of Registration or Incorporation
- Completed Trade License Application
- Copy of valid Belize Social Security Card or Belize Passport
- Copy of land title, or lease agreement from land owner
- $20.00
Change (Ownership)
- Letter from previous owner relinquishing rights to business (Notarized)
- Copy of New Business Certificate of Registration or Incorporation
- Copy of Old Business Certificate of Registration or Incorporation
- Completed Trade License Application
- Copy of valid Belize Social Security Card or Belize Passport (for both old and new owner)
- Copy of land title, or lease agreement from land owner
- All outstanding fees must be paid in full
- $50.00
Re-Assessment
- Copy of Old Business Certificate of Registration or Incorporation
- Completed Trade License Application
- Copy of valid Belize Social Security Card or Belize Passport
- Special Meeting fee of $150.00, if application falls outside quarterly meeting
Any person who contravenes section 9 of this Act, is guilty of an
offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding five
hundred dollars or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months
or to both such fine and imprisonment, and shall cease to carry on the
business concerned. Such person shall further not be entitled either by
himself or in association with others to a licence to trade for a period of
two years from the date of his conviction (Trade Licensing Act, Chp. 66, Revised Edition 2022)
Visit the Belize Companies & Coporate Affairs website that will guide you through this process: https://www.belizecompaniesregistry.gov.bz/
Visit: Belmopan Hospital, Western Regional Health Office, Floriana Avenue
Call: +501-822-2263
THINGS TO NOTE WHEN APPLYING:
First time applicant
1. One passport size picture
2. Valid Social Security Card
3. $20.00
Renewal
1. Expired food handlers card
2. Valid Social Security Card
3. $20.00
Application for food handlers are done on Wednesdays & Fridays