BELLA VISTA — Starting this month, Bella Vista is requiring commercial business owners to obtain a business license from the city to operate within city limits, according to a city ordinance passed in November.
Business owners must obtain a permit to operate their business starting Monday, according to the ordinance. Current businesses have until April 10 to apply for and obtain a license.
City officials said the issue stemmed from instances where businesses were moving without alerting the city.
“They were moving to different locations, and nobody knew about it,” said Cassi Lapp, city spokesperson. “So we didn’t have a chance to make sure that those businesses were legally allowed to operate in that particular area. Also, we weren’t able to get in and do an inspection to make sure that everything was safe before they opened the business.”
The change has been in the works for a while, Lapp said, adding that administratively, it is helpful for the city to have the information included in the license application on file.
The new license pertains to any for-profit entities conducting business within city limits. Licenses will be issued each calendar year, starting Jan. 1, and must be renewed annually. The license fee will be $25 initially and $10 for renewal annually thereafter.
“It’s going to affect all for-profit businesses, because they all will be required to obtain licensure,” Lapp said. “No matter how long they have been in Bella Vista, they’re still going to have to come to the city and get a business license. Obviously, it’s another step for them, it’s another thing that they have to do. But hopefully, we can streamline it as much as possible.”
“And it’s only for-profit businesses and does not apply to churches or nonprofit agencies. And it does not apply to home-based occupations, as long as that home-based business is legally conforming.”
Any license issued in 2026 will be valid through Dec. 31. Licenses may be renewed annually between Nov. 1 and Dec. 31 of each year, to be effective Jan. 1 of the following year. The licenses are not transferable between business locations or owners.
Applications are available online or in-person at the permitting office, 101 Town Center. Completed applications will not be accepted or processed until Monday.
Business owners can contact the city’s Planning and Development Office to begin the process of obtaining a business license by calling 479-855-8285 or emailing [email protected].
