Wilmington, NC business license
No. Wilmington doesn't charge a general business license; North Carolina repealed local privilege license taxes on July 1, 2015, per wilmingtonnc.gov. Still local: other local licenses Privilege licenses remain only for beer, wine and taxicabs ($15 per vehicle) (checked Oct 30, 2026).
Last updated · 2 sources
There's no general business license in Wilmington: North Carolina repealed local privilege license taxes in 2015. You still register with the state, and the local items below apply only if your business does that activity.
General city or county business license
Not required (repealed July 1, 2015)
Local business tax at $50,000
$0 (no general local business tax)
State filing fees (LLC $125 + $200 annual report) are separate.
Beer & wine retail license
City: $15 on-premises beer, $5 off-premises beer, $15 on-premises wine, $10 off-premises wine (per year, May 1–Apr 30)
Other local licenses
Privilege licenses remain only for beer, wine and taxicabs ($15 per vehicle)
What you still need from the state
Form an LLC (Secretary of State)
$125 Articles of Organization
LLC annual report
$200 per year, due Apr 15 ($203 online by card)
Form a corporation
$125 Articles of Incorporation; annual report $25
State privilege license
Professional $50 privilege license (G.S. 105-41) repealed effective July 1, 2024; still required for loan agencies, pawnbrokers, check cashers
Sales tax registration (NCDOR)
Register with NCDOR if you sell taxable goods or services (no fee)
Trade and professional licenses
Trade/professional licenses come from state boards; NC Commerce lists them
Official site: wilmingtonnc.gov
North Carolina business license rules · South Carolina fees · Georgia fees
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a business license in Wilmington, NC?
No. Wilmington doesn't charge a general business license; North Carolina repealed local privilege license taxes on July 1, 2015, per wilmingtonnc.gov. Still local: other local licenses Privilege licenses remain only for beer, wine and taxicabs ($15 per vehicle) (checked Oct 30, 2026).
How much is a other local licenses in Wilmington?
Privilege licenses remain only for beer, wine and taxicabs ($15 per vehicle), per wilmingtonnc.gov (checked Oct 30, 2026).
Sources
Fee change alerts
One email when SC business license rates change (they reset every May 1), plus renewal reminders. Free. Signups open soon.