The mission of the License Section is to administer and enforce
all laws, rules and regulations relating to licensing and permit requirements
for various types of businesses, charitable solicitations and users of alarm
systems.
Below is a complete list of licenses that the License Section issues. Each
section contains the following:
- a link to the applicable Columbus City Code;
- any application(s) that is required to
obtain the license; and
- any rules and regulations that may apply to the specific
section of the code.
Information submitted through the City of Columbus' website
may be subject to disclosure pursuant to a public records request. Information
submitted through the City's website may be shared with another governmental
agency if the visitor's inquiry relates to that agency. Certain types of
information (such as electronic payment information) are exempt from disclosure
as public records. If you have questions about the Ohio Public Records laws,
refer to State of Ohio's Revised Code, Section 149.43, Availability of Public
Records.
***UPDATE (July 12, 2021)
The Department of Public Safety License Section will re-open to
the public on July 22, 2021 at 4252 Groves Road. Our hours will be 8:00am-3:30pm pm
Monday-Tuesday-Thursday-Friday and 8:00am-6:00pm on Wednesdays until further
notice. Although the Mayor’s state of Emergency has not been lifted, we expect
it will be shortly and encourage you to start your renewal process. You will be required to go through a triage
area first to ensure you have all your needed paperwork and it is completed
correctly. Once approved, you will be
directed to the Lobby area to complete your transaction. If it is incomplete, incorrect or you do not
have the correct supporting documentation, you will be turned away. Due to the
small size of the lobby, only 4 people are allowed in the regular customer
lobby at one time. Please have any
family or friends that accompany you wait in the vehicle. For your convenience, the License Section has
installed a secure drop box at 4252 Groves Road which can be utilized to drop
off applications, payments and any other documentation. It is located to
the right side of the employee entrance, which is under the gray awning on
the south side of the building. That box is checked
every morning during the work week. Due to a change in City Code, Short Term
Rental licenses will no longer be issued on the day of application. Lastly, there will be a grace period of
no enforcement for expired licenses to October 1, 2021 so that we can process
the backlog of renewals.
At this time, you can
start your licensing process remotely online if you choose to, but licenses
will not be issued until July 22, 2021 or after. Below is the online process:
- Please
go to the below link for the license type and print off all paperwork,
including the checklist and FAQs. Complete all paperwork and obtain any
necessary notary certification.
- Obtain
a BCI background check (all but charitable, parade, community market, and alarm
USERS permits) by going to a remote WebCheck location now or the License Office
starting July 22, 2021. Webcheck locations can be found at: https://www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov/Business/Services-for-Business/WebCheck/Webcheck-Community-Listing. You must have the WebCheck
outlet that you choose use the reason code: ”Other- required for city license”
and submit your fingerprints with instructions to MAIL the
results to: Columbus Public Safety, License Section, 4252 Groves Road,
Columbus, Ohio 43232. BACKGROUND RESULTS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED IN ANY
OTHER MANNER.
- If
you are out of state, you can follow the instructions under Short Term Rental
licenses below to obtain an out of state background request.
- Obtain
a Letter of Good Standing from the Columbus Auditor’s office/ Income Tax
Division. They can be contacted by phone at 614-645-7370.
- Please
contact the License Section by utilizing the link to the appropriate email box
under the type of license for which you are requesting licensure. A
License Officer will contact you to complete the process. You will be
requested to either mail or scan and email your documents to them at a secure
email address. Any notarized documents must be accompanied by a photocopy
of the ID you presented when the documents were notarized. The License
Officer will assist you in payment, which can either be a mailed check (address)
or paid online via our new portal link which the License Officer will supply.
- Once
all paperwork, including BCI results have been obtained, verified, approved and
your payment received, your license will be emailed to you.
- For
Mobile Food Vending, and Vehicle for Hire (owners), you will be required to
have an inspection(s). The License Officer will schedule an inspection
via appointment at a convenient time. Mobile Food Vending will also need
a health, fire and pressure valve test, which will be explained by the License
Officer.
- You
can reach out at any time with questions or follow-up by utilizing the link
associated with the needed license below.
Please keep in mind
all alarm related payments can be made on-line at: https://product.cityalarmpermit.com/FAMSCITIZEN/columbus/
FOOD DELIVERY FEE CAP UPDATE
Please refer to the below linked letter for instructions on
how the fee cap applies to restaurants.
Restaurant Information Letter
Please refer to below link for the City of Columbus Legislation Report.
Legislation Report 2788-2020
For more information contact the below email at:
[email protected]
UPCOMING WEBEX MEETINGS AND HEARINGS:
Thursday, June 24, 2021- The Vehicle for Hire Board Meeting for June has been cancelled.