BBMP Trade License: Eligibility, Apply Online, Renewal, Fees, Download, Status Check

A trade license is essential for every trading business since it grants the right to practice a business in a particular area. Thus, business owners can only operate in a specific area after obtaining a trade license from the city/town/village municipal corporation. 

In Bangalore, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) is the municipal corporation that issues trade licenses. It issues a BBMP trade license permitting businesses to do a particular business in Bangalore. Every business should also apply for the BBMP trade license renewal after its expiry period to carry on the business activity for which it was issued.

What is a BBMP trade license?

BBMP trade license means permission from BBMP to allow business owners to conduct a particular business or trade in Bangalore city. Every sole proprietorship, partnership firm or company doing business in Bangalore listed under Schedule X of the Karnataka Municipal Corporation (KMC) Act, 1976 should mandatorily apply for the BBMP trade license. Such businesses should comply with the rules and guidelines issued by the BBMP. The trade license ensures the citizens’ safety in the surrounding business area. 

BBMP trade license eligibility

The businesses covered under Schedule X of the KMC Act that mandatorily require a BBMP trade license are as follows:

• Food and food processing.
• Milk and products storage and sale.
• Packed foods.
• Hotels and restaurants.
• Marriage halls and convention centres
• Boarding and lodging.
• Chemicals and pesticides.
• Nursing homes, hospitals and diagnostic centres.
• Beedi, cotton, soaps, carpet and candle industries.
• Dry cleaning and laundry.
• Dyeing and printing units.
• Gas storage filling for retail distribution.
• Construction materials.
• Timber storing and sale.
• Retail shops.
• Water tankers.

How to apply for a BBMP trade license?

Businesses requiring a BBMP trade license must apply for the same 30 days before starting the business. Below are the steps to apply for a BBMP trade license:

Step 1: Visit the BBMP website.

Step 2: Under the ‘Our Services’ heading, click the ‘Trade License’ option.

Step 3: Click the ‘Get Started’ button on the ‘New Trade License’ tab. 

Step 4: Click the ‘Yes, I Agree’ button. Enter the name and mobile number.

Step 5: Enter the OTP sent to the mobile number. Enter the other details, such as business name, the field of trade, place of business, zonal classification, etc. 

Step 6: Upload the required documents.

Step 7: Save the form, pay the prescribed fees, and click the ‘Apply’ button. 

The BBMP will issue the trade license to the applicant within a few days of applying.

Documents required for trade license in Bangalore

• NOC letter/lease agreement of the business premises (in the case of a rented place).
• Sale deed of the business premises (in the case of own building).
• Electricity bill or BBMP property tax receipt.
• Consent letter from neighbours (if the business is in a residential area).
• Occupancy certificate (OC) (if available).

BBMP trade license status

After applying for the BBMP trade license, business owners can view the status of the application by following the below process:

• Visit the BBMP website.
• Under the ‘Our Services’ heading, click the ‘Trade License’ option.
• Click the ‘Get Started’ button on the ‘Application Status’ tab. 
• Enter the application number and click on ‘Get Status’.
• The status will be displayed on the screen.

BBMP trade license fees

The BBMP trade license fee differs depending on the category of businesses and the validity period of the license. The BBMP license fees for different businesses are provided on the BBMP website. 

BBMP trade license download

A business owner can download the BBMP trade renewal certificate and receipt or acknowledgement of the BBMP trade license by following the below steps: 

• Visit the BBMP website.
• Under the ‘Our Services’ heading, click the ‘Trade License’ option.
• Click the ‘Get Started’ button on the ‘Downloads’ tab. 
• Select the ‘Reprint a Receipt’, ‘Acknowledgement’ or ‘Certificate of Renewal’ options.
• Enter the ‘Application Number’.
• Click the ‘Download’ button.

BBMP trade license renewal

The BBMP issues the trade license for one to five years. The BBMP trade licence period is from 1st April to 31st March of the following year. Thus, business owners must apply for BBMP trade license renewal between 1st February and 28th February. BBMP will impose a penalty if the trade license renewal is applied after 1st March. The steps to renew the BBMP trade license are as follows:

Step 1: Visit the BBMP website.

Step 2: Under the ‘Our Services’ heading, click the ‘Trade License’ option.

Step 3: Click the ‘Get Started’ button on the ‘Renew Old License’ tab. 

Step 4: Click the ‘Yes, I Agree’ button. 

Step 5: Enter the ‘Application Number’.

Step 6: The trade details will be displayed. Click the ‘Confirm’ option.

Step 7: Select the years the license needs to be renewed.

Step 8: Pay the fee for renewal and click the ‘Apply’ button. 

Businesses covered under Schedule X of the KMC Act should apply for a BBMP trade license before 30 days of starting the business in Bangalore. If the business owners do not have a BBMP trade license, they may have to shut down their businesses in Bangalore. Thus, obtaining a trade license from the municipal authority, BBMP, is essential for business in Bangalore.