Business License

Please be prepared to provide answers to detailed questions about your business, including hours of operation, waste management plan and number of employees.

In addition, all new applicants must provide (not required for renewals):

• A floor plan showing the location of furniture and merchandise. If there is a change of use as defined by the Ohio Building Code, then a code analysis by a state licensed architect must be included with the floor plan. (PDF format)
• A sketch showing the number and placement of available parking spaces. (PDF format)

Housing Rental License

Be prepared to upload a completed occupancy status form with your application if applying for an Apartment. If the property owner is not a resident of Cuyahoga County, a designation of agent form is also required.

• Designation of Agent Form
• Occupancy Status Forms:
  
  • Apartment
    

Contractor License

• Insurance certificates must be attached to all applications, regardless of license type. Evidence of liability insurance is required for all contractors and must:
  
  • List the City of Shaker Heights as an additional insured/certificate holder
  • Include limits of Bodily Injury Liability Insurance not less than $500,000 / $1,000,000 or $2,000,000 aggregate
  • Include Property Damage Liability Insurance not less than $50,000 per occurrence
  • The Insured Name must match the entity name applying for the license. (i.e. if applying as a business name, the insurance must be held by that business name)
• Fire Protection Contractors are required to have a State License from the Ohio State Fire Marshall. A copy must be attached to the application.
• The following contractors are required to have a license from the Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board (OCILB). A copy must be attached to the application:
  • Electrical
  • Plumbing
  • Heating / Air Conditioning
  • Hydronic
  • Refrigeration