136,744
U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2024 (co-est2024-alldata.csv), July 1, 2024 estimate
Bunnell
Palm Coast · Flagler Beach · Bunnell · Beverly Beach
Flagler County business license: do you need a business tax receipt?
Flagler County has about 137,000 residents and sits between St. Johns and Volusia counties. Its cities are Palm Coast, Flagler Beach, Bunnell (the county seat) and Beverly Beach. Whether you form an LLC, a corporation or a PLLC, you can apply for a Flagler County Local Business Tax Receipt from the Tax Collector online or on a paper form. The physical address can't be a P.O. box. If you're inside city limits, buy the city receipt before the county one, and after that, buy receipts for any other cities where you plan to do business. Most construction and home-improvement businesses must register with the Flagler County Building Department first and show the authorization card it issues. Corporations and LLCs don't need a fictitious name filing, but sole owners trading under a made-up name do.
Occupational license vs. business tax receipt in Flagler County
Flagler County has an estimated 136,744 residents (U.S. Census Bureau, Vintage 2024), making it Florida's 35th most populous of 67 counties, and it has grown about 18.5% since the 2020 Census base. The county seat is Bunnell, and its largest incorporated communities include Palm Coast, Flagler Beach, Bunnell. Wherever you are in the county, your LLC or corporation is formed at the state level, so the entity itself is the same as one formed in Miami or Tallahassee.
How to start a business in Flagler County: LLC, corporation or PLLC
Florida's Division of Corporations (Sunbiz) charges $125 to file Articles of Organization for an LLC ($100 filing plus $25 registered agent designation) and $70 for Articles of Incorporation ($35 plus $35). Florida requires every entity to keep a registered agent with a physical Florida street address, and an annual report is due to Sunbiz between January 1 and May 1 each year ($138.75 for an LLC, $150 for a corporation, with a $400 late fee). Corp USA can file your Articles, serve as your registered agent and remind you of the annual report deadline. Your registered agent's address appears in the public Sunbiz record, so many owners who work from home use a registered agent service to keep their home address off that filing.
After the state filing, check local requirements. Florida counties and cities may levy a Local Business Tax under Chapter 205, Florida Statutes; in Flagler County, start with the Flagler County Tax Collector (https://www.flaglertax.com/), and if your business is inside a city such as Palm Coast, check that city's business tax office too. Add any state professional license and confirm zoning before you open.
Flagler County business license FAQs
Do I need a Flagler County business license (business tax receipt)?
Yes. Flagler County requires a county Local Business Tax Receipt. Inside Palm Coast, Flagler Beach, Bunnell or Beverly Beach, get your city receipt first.
Is a Flagler County occupational license the same as a business tax receipt?
Yes. Florida law renamed the old occupational license the local business tax in 2006, so a business tax receipt, an occupational license and a local business license all mean the same thing in Florida (Chapter 205, Florida Statutes).
Can I form a Florida LLC if my business is based in Bunnell?
Yes. Florida LLCs are formed statewide through Sunbiz for $125; your Bunnell address can be the principal office, and you need a Florida registered agent.
Where is the Flagler County Tax Collector?
Its official site is https://www.flaglertax.com/.
Should my Flagler County business be an LLC, a corporation or a PLLC?
Most small businesses choose an LLC for its simple management and pass-through taxes. A corporation suits owners who plan to issue stock or bring in investors. A PLLC is for state-licensed professionals such as doctors, lawyers and CPAs. All three file with Sunbiz: $125 for an LLC or PLLC and $70 for a corporation.