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Business license requirements in West Memphis, Arkansas depend on your industry, business activities, entity type, and location. Most businesses need several types of licenses to operate legally.
A general business license or business tax certificate from the City of West Memphis is typically required for any business operating within city limits.
State-level tax registrations, professional licenses, and regulatory filings required by Arkansas agencies.
If you provide professional services in West Memphis (legal, medical, engineering, accounting), you must hold the appropriate state-issued credentials.
Your business location in West Memphis must comply with local zoning ordinances. Home-based businesses may need a home occupation permit.
Food service, health, fire, alcohol, and other industry-specific permits may be required depending on your business activities in West Memphis.
Businesses in regulated industries (alcohol, firearms, broadcasting, transportation) must also obtain federal licenses and permits.
City Clerk's Office
205 South Redding Street, P.O. Box 1728, West Memphis, AR 72301
Mon–Fri 8:00 AM–5:00 PM
Information verified as of June 23, 2026
Web VerifiedWest Memphis requires an annual Privilege License for all persons and entities engaged in any trade, business, profession, or occupation within city limits, per Ordinance 987. Arkansas has no statewide general business license requirement. Fees vary significantly by business type — specific amounts are available in the full Ordinance 987 schedule, which the city does not publish in text form online. Licenses renew annually by January 31. No online portal — applications are submitted in person or by mail using the PDF form from the city website. Hotels, motels, and restaurants additionally pay a 3% monthly Advertising & Promotion Tax; mixed-drink establishments pay a 5% Mixed Drinks Tax. Contractors must obtain a license plus a surety bond (amounts vary by trade).
Not published — contact City Clerk at (870) 732-7510 ext. 5188.
West Memphis was founded in 1910 as 'Bragg's Mill,' a logging camp — it didn't get its current name or become a city until 1927, though Spanish explorers had built Fort Esperanza on the same site as early as 1797
Southland greyhound track (opened 1956) drew 20,000 people on Saturday nights at its peak with annual wagers exceeding $200 million — considered the top dog track in America before the last race ran December 31, 2022
The Big River Crossing (opened 2016) on the historic Harahan Bridge is the nation's longest pedestrian and bicycle bridge across the Mississippi River, connecting West Memphis to Memphis, Tennessee on foot for the first time
During the 1930s–1950s, West Memphis's '8th Street' earned the nickname 'Beale Street West' for its thriving nightclub and blues music scene, rivaling Memphis proper and serving as a cradle of early Arkansas blues culture
| Fee | Amount | Period |
|---|---|---|
General Contractor License Annual contractor license for general contractors. Requires a $10,000 surety bond payable to the city. Per Ordinance 987. | $300 | annual |
Sub-Contractor License Annual license for sub-contractors (plumbing, electrical, mechanical, etc.). See specific trade contractor entries for bond requirements. Per Ordinance 987. | $100 | annual |
Mechanical Contractor License Annual license for mechanical contractors. Requires a $5,000 surety bond. Per Ordinance 987. | $150 | annual |
Electrical Contractor License Annual license for electrical contractors. Requires a $10,000 surety bond. Per Ordinance 987. | $125 | annual |
Plumbing Contractor License Annual license for plumbing contractors. Requires a $5,000 surety bond. Per Ordinance 987. | $125 | annual |
Retail Beer License Annual license for retail beer sales. Per Ordinance 987 fee schedule. | $80 | annual |
Retail Wine License Annual license for retail wine sales. Per Ordinance 987 fee schedule. | $25 | annual |
Retail Liquor License Annual license for retail liquor sales. Per Ordinance 987 fee schedule. | $500 | annual |
Yard Sale Permit Per yard sale permit. Maximum 2 permits per address per year. Per Ordinance 987. | $15 | one-time |
Selected fee schedule under Ordinance 987: General Contractor $300 + $10,000 surety bond; Sub-Contractor $100; Mechanical Contractor $150 + $5,000 surety bond; Electrical Contractor $125 + $10,000 surety bond; Plumbing Contractor $125 + $5,000 surety bond; Retail Beer $80/year; Retail Wine $25/year; Retail Liquor $500/year; Taxi/Limo driver $10/driver; Yard Sale Permit $15 each (max 2/year). General commercial business fee: not published — call City Clerk at (870) 732-7510 ext. 5188. Separate license required per business location. A&P tax on hotels/motels/restaurants: 3% monthly. Mixed Drinks Tax: 5%.
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Businesses found operating without required licenses in West Memphis, AR can face penalties ranging from late-fee surcharges to four-figure fines per violation, cease-and-desist orders, revocation of existing permits, inability to enforce contracts, and in some cases criminal misdemeanor charges. Don't risk your business.
Get a free compliance assessmentEvery city has different fees, deadlines, and penalties. Miss your filing window and penalties range from late-fee surcharges to four-figure fines — and operating unlicensed can mean forced closure. Search below to get the exact requirements for your location.
Not sure what you need? Get a free compliance assessment — our licensing experts will identify every requirement for your business.
Follow these steps to obtain your West Memphis business license. Requirements vary by business type, but this is the general process for most businesses in West Memphis, AR.
Before applying for a West Memphis business license, determine your entity type (sole proprietorship, LLC, corporation, partnership). Your structure affects which licenses you need and how you register with Arkansas and the IRS.
Verify that your business location in West Memphis is zoned for your intended use. Contact the West Memphis Planning Department for zoning verification. Home-based businesses typically need a home occupation permit.
Register your business entity with the Arkansas Secretary of State (if applicable), obtain an EIN from the IRS, and register for state tax obligations including sales tax and employer withholding.
Submit your business license application to the City Clerk's Office. Applications can typically be submitted online, in person, or by mail. Include all required documentation and fees.
Depending on your industry in West Memphis, you may need additional permits — health department permits for food service, fire department approval, alcohol licenses, professional licenses, or industry-specific certifications.
Once issued, display your West Memphis business license prominently at your place of business. Licenses renew annually. Track renewal deadlines to avoid penalties and late fees.
CLS also provides business license services in these Arkansas cities.
West Memphis business license information last verified June 23, 2026. Fees, deadlines, and requirements are subject to change. Verify with West Memphis or contact CLS for current requirements.