No, Unincorporated Manatee County does not have a "Local Business Tax Receipt," previously known as an "Occupational License."

However, it's essential to note that this does not apply to construction contractor licensing, which is mandated by the State of Florida under FSS, Chapter 489. The absence of an Occupational License in the county should not be confused with the requirement for construction contractor licensing.

Manatee County issues and reciprocates Local Licenses for the following Trades:

• Mason
• Masonry and Concrete
• Garage Door Specialty Contractor
• Concrete
• Journeyman Electric
• Journeyman Plumbing

All local licenses issued in Unincorporated Manatee County are subject to Construction Trades Board approval and testing if applicable.

In order to view existing records in your Online Services account, you must link your Profession License to the account.

To link your license:

1. Log in to your Online Services account and click on Account Management.
2. In Account Management go to the License Information section.
3. Click the Add a License button.
4. Select your corresponding License Type from the dropdown menu and enter the License Number, including the Prefix, and click Find License.
5. When your license information is returned, click Connect.

Manatee County Permitting Department will acknowledge the license in the system. Once the connection is acknowledged, you will see your permit.

No. A homeowner who owns and occupies a 1 or 2 family dwelling can do their own construction work, as long as they can demonstrate that they are knowledgeable of the code requirements of concern. You may not use or hire unlicensed people to help you or to do the work for you.

Any person who is not licensed and registered with the Construction Industry Licensing Board is working illegally. In addition, the State Attorney General's Office has stated that contracts made with an unlicensed contractor are not enforceable under law.

Another reason is the license provides some protection to the owner from being charged for work and materials not provided or paying twice for them (material suppliers and sub-contractors can place a lien on your home if they do not receive payment from your contractor). There are also trade licenses for those persons doing other work to provide some assurance that they have adequate knowledge and training in those fields.

Mobile Food Dispensing Vehicles or Hot Dog Carts require licensure by Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulations, Division of Hotels and Restaurants. They can be reached online or by phone: Department of Business & Professional Regulation

Hotels and Restaurants Mobile Food Dispensing Vehicle or Hot Dog Cart or call Customer Contact Center at (850) 487-1395 Manatee County only has jurisdiction over the unincorporated area of the county and does not issue vending permits or licenses however, we do require the following regulations be adhered to: Must be located on active commercial property with the approval of the property owner, cannot block any drive aisles or parking spaces. Cannot be located in the County Right-of-Way.

Note: Permanent power supply will reclassify use from Mobile Food Dispensing to Restaurant and will require Final Site Plan approval.

Before you hire a contractor, ask to see the state-issued license. Also, verify the license number with Contractor Licensing licensing@mymanatee.org or 941-748-4501 ext. 3574. Licenses can also be verified with the Department of Business & Professional Regulations myfloridalicenses.com or 850-487-1395. Make sure to check for any complaints.

An occupational license does not qualify an individual to act as a contractor. Being registered with the Division of Corporations as an Inc. or LLC does not qualify an individual or company to act as a contractor.

Get a written estimate from several licensed contractors. Make sure the estimate includes the work the contractor will do, the materials involved, the completion date and total cost.

Beware of contractors who claim to be the fastest or the cheapest. Hiring them could result in poor workmanship, inferior materials or unfinished jobs.

Check with your local building department for any local license requirements.

Manatee County Land Development Code does allow some home occupations without any approvals, with the following limitations: The home cannot take on the appearance of a business. There cannot be any outdoor storage or display of merchandise. There cannot be any retail or wholesale transactions. No assembly, processing or fabrication operations are allowed. No signs advertising the business are allowed. The business can occupy no more than 25% of the home or 200 square feet of the first floor, whichever is less, exclusive of an open porch, attached garage or similar accessory uses. No traffic should be generated in greater volume than normally expected in a residential neighborhood. Please contact the Reviewer on Call at (941) 748-4501 x6894 or revieweroncall@mymanatee.org to see if your proposed business meets the above conditions.

Unlicensed Contractors

Complaints can be filed with the Department of Business & Professional Regulations ULA@MyFloridaLicense.com

Unlicensed Activity Hotline at (866) 532-1440.

Code Enforcement

(941) 748-2071

code.enforcement@mymanatee.org

Report an Unlicensed Contractor

(941) 749-3084

Local and Registered Contractors

Complaints can be filed directly with the Contractor Licensing Department. Please email your concerns to licensing@mymanatee.org State Certified Contractors: Complaints can be submitted directly with the Department of Business & Professional Regulations – www.myfloridalicense.com. The Contractor Licensing Department can also assist with complaints and options to address concerns.

Florida law requires contractors to be licensed. Hiring an unlicensed contractor is a violation of Florida Statute 455.228 and is subject to a fine of up to $5,000.

While hiring an unlicensed contractor may provide a quick fix in the short term, it could result in many serious and lasting consequences, including further damage to your property. The Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) receives varying cases of alleged unlicensed construction activity including those alleging substandard work not up to building code, instances of homeowners paying for a job that is not completed as well as contractors abandoning the project.

By hiring a licensed contractor, you will have peace of mind knowing that the project will be done by someone who has taken the time to acquire the appropriate education and the proper workers’ compensation and/or liability insurance and who possesses the necessary experience.