The City of Leeds, Alabama, is a great location for your business to start, stay, and grow! The City's Business Resource Team stands ready to guide you at any stage of your business journey and aims to make conducting City‐related transactions as smooth as possible.

The Leeds Business Resource Team will collaborate as you start, maintain, and grow your business. (Joint meetings with owners, architects, contractors, and other key stakeholders during start‐up and expansion phases involving construction are essential.)

The City of Leeds, Alabama, is a great location for your business to start, stay, and grow! The City’s Business Resource Team stands ready to guide you at any stage of your business journey and aims to make conducting City‐related transactions as smooth as possible. 

This document, City of Leeds Business Licensing Guide in Leeds, summarizes what you need to know about the city as you operate your business. You can find this guide and all the details on our website at leedsalabama.gov 

 The Leeds Business Resource Team will collaborate as you start, maintain, and grow your business. (Of special note, joint meetings with owners, architects, contractors, and other key stakeholders during start‐up and expansion phases involving construction are essential.) Please contact Leeds’s Business Resource Team by telephone at 205‐699-0943 or by e‐mail at development@leedsalabama.gov to get started. It is our goal to provide unparalleled services to our business community. 

 CHECKLIST FOR DOING BUSINESS IN LEEDS 

PROPERTY ZONING INFORMATION 

As you review suitable locations for your proposed business, check the zoning designation to ensure the proposed business type is permitted. Zoning regulations are adopted standards for types of uses to which a business can be located and physical characteristics for the development of the property, such as maximum building height, number of parking spaces required, and more. Special areas known as Planned Unit Developments (PUDS) typically have additional requirements and approvals beyond the zoning regulations. 

• Step 1: Check the GIS website to determine the zoning designation for the location.
• Step 2: Learn about the zoning regulations for the zoning designation.
• Step 3: If the property's intended use is not in accordance with the zoning designation.You may initiate action to request conditional use or to rezone the property. The Planning & Zoning Commission and Leeds City Council must approve requests for conditional use or rezoning. Our team will work through this process with you.
• Step 4: Contact us at development@Leedsalabama.gov  or 205‐699-0943 for additional assistance.

PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT & BUILDING PERMIT INFORMATION 

After you have determined that your business use conforms to the property's zoning, you will most likely change some aspect of the physical location. The steps required will vary based on the extent of the modifications to the physical environment. Joint meetings with owners, architects, contractors, and other key stakeholders are essential early in the project phases. Please contact us at 205‐699-0943 or development@Leedsalabama.gov to get started. 

• Step 1: If any construction activity or a change in the use of the space you intend to occupy is taking place, a commercial building permit is required. Depending on the extent of work, approval from external agencies may apply. The Building Safety Division can be reached at 205-699-0943 or cityhall@leedsalabama.gov.
  • All contractors and sub‐contractors must have a City of Leeds business license, and where performing any construction work of $100,000.00 or more, must be licensed by the State of Alabama.
  • Septic/sewer approval is required before construction or tenant improvement.
  • Our website explains the commercial building permit process in detail. After construction is complete and all inspections are approved, you will be issued a Certificate of Occupancy (CO).
• Step 2: If your business will occupy a space “AS IS”, with no construction activity taking place, contact the cityfor a Certificate of Occupancy Business License (COBL) prior to applying for a business license.
• Step 3: A sign permit is required if your business will advertise with a sign. Sign regulations within the Zoning Ordinance govern sign permits. If your location is in a Planned Unit Development (PUD) or a special overlay district, additional approvals may be required.
• Step 4: If your business operates from your home, an approved Home Occupation Application is required. More Information can be found here. FOOD/ALCOHOL SALES AND CONSUMPTION FOOD/ALCOHOL SALES AND CONSUMPTION

FOOD/ALCOHOL SALES AND CONSUMPTION

• Step 1: For businesses who wish to serve food, including the operation of food trucks:
  • Obtain a health permit from the applicable county health department.
  • If you are operating a food truck, you must obtain a Mobile Food Unit Permit from Leeds Inspection Services: Online Portal
  • Obtain a City of Leeds business license. Business License Portal
• Step 2: For businesses that wish to sell alcohol for on‐site or off‐site consumption, an alcohol license from the ABC Board is required. Approval from the Leeds City Council is required as a part of this process. Please note this process can take 3‐4 weeks for a standard request, assuming all required documentation has been submitted and no conditional use approval is required. Online Portal
  • Step 1: Check the zoning designation and requirements for the property. Conditional Use may be required and will take additional time. Contact development@leedsalabama.gov or call 205‐699-0903.
  • Step 2: Obtain a Criminal History Release Form from the City Clerk’s Office to be signed and notarized by all executives. Email development@leedsalabama.gov or call 205‐699-0903 – ALEA Background form (Please bring to city hall before mailing).
  • Step 3: ALL alcohol license applications must be submitted to the State of Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Board. Call 205‐942‐7955 (Jefferson County) or 256-237-3211 (St Clair Co.) to make an appointment.
  • Step 4: Bring a copy of the State application (with confirmation number) and completed Leeds Criminal History Release Form(s) (see step 2) to the City Clerk for processing. Background checks will be completed, and the application will be presented to the City Council for approval. The City Clerk will notify the ABC Board of the decision.
  • Step 5: Work with the ABC Board to complete the process and, if approved, obtain the alcohol license.
  • Step 6: Obtain the applicable City of Leeds business license(s): Business License Portal

OUR PARTNERS 

Our goal is to make transactions with the City of Leeds pleasant. We will work to help you understand how we interact with other agencies to meet all requirements applicable to your business. Please find contact information for our critical partner organizations below, or contact our Leeds Business Resource Team for questions. 

Additional Guides

• Certificate of Occupancy for Business License (PDF)
• Business License - Fire Inspection
• Home Occupation Guide (PDF)
• Locate Your Business Here FOOD/ALCOHOL SALES AND CONSUMPTION FOOD/ALCOHOL SALES AND CONSUMPTION
• Vendor Package (PDF)
• Leeds Demographics

We want you to do business in Leeds. 

We look forward to doing business with you!

The City of Leeds, Alabama