Business License

A Business License is required to occupy a commercial space in Shaker Heights.

• Business owners must apply for a Business License when first moving into a commercial space.
• The Business License must be renewed every two years.
• The fee for the Business License is $100. Renewals are also $100; renewals after the expiration deadline are $125.

Housing Rental License

Owners of all residential rental property in Shaker Heights are required to annually obtain a housing rental license; owners of two-family dwellings are required to annually obtain either a housing rental license or an exemption (if not renting out the property).

• The housing rental license application must be submitted by the property owner or a designated agent.
• Owners of two-family dwellings whose properties are not rentals (i.e. they are vacant or only occupied by the owner and/or family members) should use the housing rental license application to obtain an exemption.
• Fees for the housing rental license are as follows:
  • Single-family rentals: $200
  • Two-family rentals: $100 per unit
  • Condominium rentals: $100
  • Apartment rentals: $45 per unit
  • Vacant units/units occupied by family members (exemptions): Free
• For the purposes of the housing rental license, "family" is defined as: spouse, parents, grandparents, children, grandchildren, legal wards, and foster children of the owner or the owner's spouse.

Contractor License

All contractors performing work that requires a permit, as well as exterior painters and landscapers, must annually obtain a Contractor License prior to commencing work in the City (see Chapter 547 of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Shaker Heights).

All registrations expire December 31 of the year issued and must be renewed if projects continue into the following year. Applications may be filed no sooner than December 1 of the year preceding registration.