Starting or renewing a business in Jersey City: licenses, Certificate of Occupancy, and grants
Korean-language service · Language support (Korean–English interpretation) · Free
New Jersey has no single business license, and Jersey City does not issue one license for every business. What you need depends on what you sell, where you are, and whether you change the space. Korea Desk walks you through it for free, in Korean and English.
Jersey City business license: which one do you need?
- State registration
- Most businesses register with the New Jersey Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services and receive a Business Registration Certificate. If you sell taxable goods or services, you also need a sales tax Certificate of Authority.
- City licenses depend on the business
- Jersey City’s Division of Commerce handles license types such as liquor (ABC), entertainment, and sidewalk cafés. Food businesses go through the Health Department. Other types go to other City divisions.
- State professional licenses
- Hair, nail, and skin care businesses are licensed by the New Jersey State Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling.
- Renewals
- Each license has its own renewal cycle. We help you list yours and the dates.
Certificate of Occupancy (CO) in Jersey City
- Do you need a new CO?
- It depends on how much you renovate and whether the use of the space changes, for example a store becoming a restaurant, a salon, a studio, or a classroom.
- Before you sign a lease
- Jersey City advises checking zoning before you sign, and checking the address for open violations.
- What Korea Desk does
- We review the address with you before you sign, and tell you in writing what the City is likely to ask for.
Small business grants and programs
City, State, and nonprofit programs open and close during the year. We check which ones you may qualify for and help you prepare the paperwork.
What we do not do
No legal, tax, or immigration advice. We refer you to a qualified provider. No fee, for any service, ever. Requirements change, so always confirm with the issuing office.