Business Licenses

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We are excited to announce that all business applications can now be processed online!
Click below to start your application today

Thank you for doing business in Seward!

List of business licenses issued for 2024, as of August 21, 2024.
List of the business licenses issued in 2023.

Seward City Code requires that all businesses operating within city limits obtain a city business license. The City Clerk's Office will process your business license application as quickly as possible. Please call us at (907) 224-4046 or stop by City Hall and we'll be more than happy to help you!

The following is required to obtain a city business license:

A completed city business license application and fee of $30
A valid State of Alaska business license (and occupational/professional license, if applicable)
Registration/compliance with the Kenai Peninsula Borough to collect sales tax

Here’s a snapshot of what you can expect with the new program:
• Create your own secured account online
• Apply online for one or multiple business licenses
• Upload documents (optional)
• Pay online (or in person)
• Log into your account at any time to monitor the progress

Not savvy with computers? Don’t worry – the city clerk’s office has a dedicated work station for you to use, and we're here to help you.

Have questions? Call or email kcorrigan@cityofseward.net or (907) 224-4076.

City, Borough & State Forms

State of Alaska Business License - This can also be done online (and is much quicker).
State of Alaska Occupational Business License (if applicable)
Kenai Peninsula Borough Sales Tax Application
(Submit directly to the Kenai Peninsula Borough)

Lodging

Short-Term Rentals (Nightly lodging or B&Bs) with 5 or less rooms are required to obtain a lodging permit:

Short Term Rental Application, which Community Development Department has placed within the online business license application. Now you can complete both in one location, at the same time.
A successful annual life safety inspection conducted by the Seward Fire Department (form will by furnished at the time of the inspection)
An application for Certificate of Registration for Hotel/Motel Room Tax Collection (applies for all businesses that provide nightly lodging services). This application will be within the online business license application as well.
Short-Term Lodging Disallowed in Harbor

Visit the Community Development's webpage for detailed information and the items to prepare before applying online for a Business License for a Short Term Rental.

Bed Tax for Lodging

Bed Tax Forms for Short Term Rentals and Hotel/Motel - The city's Finance Department is responsible for processing application forms and for the collection of bed tax. Please call (907) 224-4050 with any questions.

Charters

Charter businesses please contact the Seward Boat Harbor at 907-224-4350 for additional paperwork such as registration to collect passenger fees and insurance required by City Code to operate as a charter business.

Vehicles for Hire

Vehicles for Hire (Taxi) require additional permitting from the clerk's office:

A completed vehicle for hire application, which is built into the online business license application, for each vehicle used for a for-hire service. A $100 permit fee is charged for each vehicle.
Proof of valid certificate of insurance on each vehicle intended for hire.
Proof of a valid chauffeur's license for each listed driver on the vehicle for hire permit application.

Mobile and Roving Vending

Any business interested in obtaining a mobile vendor or roving vendor permit is asked to read through the council approved policy and mobile vending locations in the application packet linked below. New applications are accepted starting March 1st of the year of permit. Mobile Vending permits are for the 7 city designated locations inside Seward city limits, and up to 4 Roving Vending permits are issued each year.

Mobile and Roving Vendor Application Packet

*Transient Merchants - Please note a vendor can be allowed to operate on private property. This is defined as a transient merchant. Transient merchants engage in temporary business not exceeding 150 consecutive days in a calendar year. Transient merchants operate exclusively from private property. A city business license is required to be a transient merchant or a mobile or roving vendor permit. Please, contact the Community Development Department (907-224-4049) to confirm if a location your are interested in is zoned to have Transient Merchants prior to making agreements.

Have questions about which category you fit into? Contact the city clerk's office at 907-224-4046.

Door-to-Door Solicitors

Door-to-Door Solicitors

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We are excited to announce that all business applications can now be processed online! Click below to start your application today