New Business Information

Welcome to the City Trenton.

Our staff is looking forward to helping you establish your business in our wonderful community and providing you with the information about services and regulations that will help you through the process.

Business License

All businesses that operate within the City of Trenton are required to obtain a business license. Different types of businesses require different types of licenses so review the list of business applications below to determine which is correct for your business type.

   Food or Ice Cream Truck License
   Peddlers License
   Transient Merchant License
   Door-to-Door Solicitation Permit

If you operate a business from your home, you must comply with City Ordinances and standards. Home-based businesses must be clearly incidental and accessory to the use of the residence as a home. Please contact the Clerk’s Office for more information regarding home business.

Locating Your Business

Before you sign a lease, purchase a commercial building, or begin operating a business from your home, check in with City of Trenton’s Engineering Department to make sure that your business is an acceptable use for that property location.  They will explain where you can locate your type of business and what special requirements, if any, might apply.

Federal and State Identification Numbers

If you employ workers in your business, you must have a State Identification Number and a Federal Employer Identification Number to report employee taxes. For more information, contact the State of Michigan and the Internal Revenue Service.

Assumed Names

If you plan to use a fictitious business name (a name different from your own), you need to check with the Wayne County Clerk to make sure that no one else is using that name. You find this information at this link - Wayne County Clerk’s Office.