As of January 1, 2006, the procedure for the General Business Application has been changed. Completed applications should be forwarded to the Zoning Department, 401 Broadway, 3rd floor, Gary, IN 46402. All applications submitted on Monday by 4:00 pm of each week will be reviewed on Thursday of the same week by the City of Gary Cabinet Members. After this process, the estimated approval time is five (5) to ten (10) business days.
*Note: TO ALL GARY APPLICANTS: The Building Department must inspect all businesses. Please call (219) 881-1377 to schedule an appointment one-week after your application has been submitted. The application will not be approved until this process is complete. Also Code Enforcement, Health Department, and the Fire Department will conduct an inspection if applicable. When the application is approved, the Zoning Department will notify you by phone that the license is ready for pick-up.
ALL licenses must be renewed on a yearly basis in January.
Listed below are download ready pdf applications for various business licenses.
These applications can be filled out and delivered to the Finance office.
Amusement Device – operator
Amusement Device – vendor
Billiard and Pool Hall
Bowling Alley License
Circuses and Carnivals
Commercial Animal Establishments
Dry Cleaning
Flea Market
Food License (Restaurant and Retail)
General Business License – original and renewal
Hotel & Motel License
Limousine Operations Business License
Junk Dealer License
Masseuse or Masseur License
Parade License
Pawnbroker License
Peddlers and Transient Merchants License (guidelines)
Peddlers and Transient Merchants License (application)
Public Amusement License
Riding Stable/Academies
Scavenger License
Second-Hand Auto Dealer – original and renewal
Taxicab Operations Business License