Harford County Business License Information

NOTICE:
Legislation Changes taking place for licenses issued AFTER October 1, 2024  

Per House Bill 1116 – a Restaurant (defined in Business Regulations 17-1601(b)) licensed under Business Regulations 17-1603, that generates 10% or less of its annual sales from nonfood items (aka merchandise) will no longer need an additional Traders License. 

Per Senate Bill 1056 – The license fee for a Cigarette License or an Electronic Smoking Device License will be $300.00 (was $25.00) 

For more information, please call the Licensing Office at 410-638-3248 or view the bills on the Maryland General Assembly.  

Licensing Office Location

Licensing Department (across from the Circuit courthouse)
7 West Courtland Street
Bel Air, MD  21014
410-638-3489, 410-638-3586, or 410-638-3248 
[email protected]

Office Hours – 8:30am to 4:30pm Monday thru Friday (except State Holidays)

  • Business Licenses (new or renewal) are processed until 4pm.

How to Obtain a Harford County Business License

  1. Establish A Business Entity:
    Apply for a Sole Proprietorship or a business entity online at the Maryland Business Express website.
  2. Application and Issuance:
    Once the business entity has been established through the State Department of Assessment and Taxation (SDAT), the business license can be obtained from the Clerk of Court for Harford County.
    • Online:  Go to Maryland Business Licenses Online. The site provides the ability to apply for a new Harford County business licenses online as well as the ability to search the licensing system of the Maryland Judiciary for issued licenses.
    • Mail, Email, or Fax:  Download the Harford County Business License Worksheet form and the Declaration of Inventory form for a trader’s license.
      • Submit the completed form(s):
        • Via Mail to Clerk of the Circuit Court for Harford County, Attn: Business License Department, 20 West Courtland Street, Bel Air, MD 21014.
        • Via Email to [email protected].
        • Via Fax to the Business License Department at 410-838-8540
    • Drop Box:  A drop box is available Monday – Friday 8:30am to 4:30pm in the 20 W. Courtland Street Courthouse Entrance – place items in the Land Record mailbox.
    • In Person:   Obtain at the Business License Office, 7 W. Courtland Street, Bel Air MD 21014 between the hours of 8:30am – 4pm, Monday through Friday

Renewing a Harford County Business License

Make sure all agency holds are cleared.

  1. Sign the business license application.
    • Renew through the mail by sending signed application, required documentation if applicable, and check made payable to Clerk of Court to 20 W. Courtland Street, Bel Air MD 21014
    • Renew online:  Go to Maryland Business Licenses Online.  Click my licenses under the Edit/Renew License tile, click on the View my License tile.  With all agencies cleared and the application being clerk approved, the license will show Pending ~ Awaiting Payment.  Once the application is paid online, the Clerk’s Office will process the license and mail it to the business owner.
    • In Person: Obtain at the Business License Office, 7 W. Courtland Street, Bel Air MD 21014  between the hours of 8:30am – 4pm, Monday through Friday.

Displaying a Business License

  • It is important to display the business license, not the application, in plain view at your place of business, or carried with you in the event you are at a “show” or are a Peddler. Failure to do so may result in fines and/or penalties.

Business Closure

  • If your business closes or moves out of Harford County and you no longer require our license, contact the licensing department so your account can be properly updated.  Following this process will avoid delinquent notices and/or penalties.

Business License fees are payable by Visa, Mastercard, Discover, cash, check or money order payable to the Clerk of the Circuit Court.

Business license questions may be sent to [email protected].