Starting a Business in Delaware Cities
City-level guides to starting a business and getting a business license in 4 Delaware cities.
New to this? Start with the Delaware business formation guide, then come back for the specifics.
Starting a Business, City by City
Which Delaware Towns License Businesses: The State License Is Not the End, Wilmington, Middletown and Beach Towns Add Their OwnLocal rules, costs and first stepsRead the guide →Delaware Rental and Short-Term Rental Licenses by Town: Beach-Town Fees, Local Rental Taxes and the State 4.5% STR Tax From 2025Local rules, costs and first stepsRead the guide →Delaware Beach Towns Business Rules: Rehoboth, Lewes, Dewey, Bethany and Ocean View License Fees and Rental TaxesLocal rules, costs and first stepsRead the guide →Delaware Downtown Development Districts: Rebates up to 20% of Qualified Real Property Investment and How to ApplyLocal rules, costs and first stepsRead the guide →
City Business Licenses
Wilmington Delaware Business License: City License, Wage Tax and What to Check With the Department of FinanceWho issues it, what it costs, how to applyRead the guide →Middletown Business License: $135 Flat Fee for Most Trades, $275 for Professional and Health Care, Retail on Gross Receipts Over $400,000Who issues it, what it costs, how to applyRead the guide →Bethany Beach Business License: $250 a Year, $100 Rental License and the 7% Rental Tax on Top of the State 4.5%Who issues it, what it costs, how to applyRead the guide →Dewey Beach Business License: Restaurant Fees, What Counts as a Restaurant and the 2026 Rental License ChangeWho issues it, what it costs, how to applyRead the guide →Ocean View Business License: $200 a Year, the Rental License and the Town Rental TaxWho issues it, what it costs, how to applyRead the guide →