The City of Grand Forks only requires a business license for  the specific types of businesses listed below.   There is not a general business license for most businesses.

For questions related to these licenses: 

• email GFlicensing@grandforksgov.com
• call 701-746-2620.

• Airport Limousine
• Alcoholic Beverage License
• Animal Licensing or Printable Form
• Bed & Breakfast
• Body Art Facility (Tattoo)
• Body Art Artist (Tattoo)
• Carnival or Circus
• Door to Door Sales and Solicitation (Replaced Transient Merchant)
• Food Establishment: (Complete online or complete printable form)
  
  • Bakery/Grocery/Retail Meat/Restaurant Application or Printable Form
  • Childcare Facility/Soup Kitchen/Food Pantry Application or Printable Form
  • Concession Stand or Printable Form
  • Mobile Food Vendor or Printable Form
  • Pushcart License Application or Printable Form
  • School Kitchen or Printable Form
• Hotel / Motel
• Noise Variance Form (for construction related events) (For variance related to special events, please complete the special event permit application)
• Pawnbroker License Application or Printable Form
• Private Collector of Recyclable Materials
• Private Collector of Rubbish, Construction Refuse
• Retail Tobacco Dealer
• Sexually Oriented Business (Contact the Finance Department for Information)
• Sexually Oriented Business Employee
  
• Shooting Range
• Swimming Pool
• Taxi - Vehicle License Application & Printable/Fillable Vehicle Inspection Form
  
• Taxi - Driver/Chauffeur (New Driver)
  
• Temporary Restaurant  or Printable Form
  
• Towing - Business
• Towing - Driver (New Driver)

Click Here for a printable list of all license and permit fees currently in place for the City of Grand Forks.

Construction related Licenses and Permits 

The Building Inspections Department licenses businesses and individuals for building trades and issues permits for construction and property related work in Grand Forks.  This includes the following types of licenses:  

Please Click here, to be redirected to the Building Inspection Department page for more information on these permits or contact them at (701) 746-2631. 

Rental Licenses 

If you have rental property in the City of Grand Forks, you may need a Rental License. This program is administered by the Building Inspections Department.  Click Here for information on this program.

Emergency Alarm Permits

Emergency Alarm Installers and Businesses or Residents wishing to utilize an alarm to protect their property should contact the Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) for assistance with securing licensing and permits.  Click Here to be redirected to the PSAP page.  

Links to other License Resources 

Some licenses may also require registration or licensing from the State of North Dakota.  Below are links to some of the State Agencies which you should contact for additional information on operating businesses in North Dakota.  

• North Dakota State Web Site
• Secretary of State
• State Tax Department 

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Contact Information: 

The Finance and Administrative Services Department is located within City Hall, 255 N 4th Street, Grand Forks, ND 58203.  Our Mailing address is:

Attn: Business Licensing
Department of Finance
PO Box 5200
Grand Forks, ND 58206-5200

Phone:  701-746-2620

Email:  Click Here

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