County business permits and licences: staying compliant

Under the Fourth Schedule of the Constitution, county governments regulate trade licences. Every business operating premises in a county needs a permit — usually a unified or single business permit.

The single business permit

• Applied for and renewed annually, usually online through the county portal.
• Fees depend on the type and size of business and its location.
• Operating without a valid permit can lead to closure and fines.

Other county requirements

• fire safety certificate,
• public health licence for food and hospitality businesses,
• outdoor advertising permits for signage, and
• liquor licences under the county’s alcoholic drinks control law.

National sector licences

Some activities need national licences in addition to county permits — for example:

• Pharmacy and Poisons Board for pharmacies,
• Communications Authority for telecommunications,
• Capital Markets Authority for investment advisers, and
• Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority for fuel stations.

Tips

• Diarise renewal dates.
• Keep permits displayed at the premises.
• If you operate in more than one county, comply in each.

This article is general information, not legal advice on your situation.

Get help from a verified advocate

This article is general information, not legal advice on your situation. If you need advice, describe your matter on Wakili Link and we will match you with a verified advocate who handles it.

• Regulatory & compliance lawyers in Kenya
• Data protection compliance
• How to verify an advocate in Kenya