Business Privilege Licenses
Orange County Revenue Department issues two types of business privilege licenses: Beer & Wine and Massage Practitioner or Massage Practitioner Business.
If you intend to sell beer and/or wine in Orange County you must purchase a County business license to open your business, and you must renew this license annually to maintain your business.
This includes both on and off premises drinking licensing.
We require a copy of your North Carolina State ABC License in order to issue your County license. If the North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement requires that you have an ABC license, then Orange County requires that you have a county privilege license (quickie marts, restaurants, bar and grill, etc).
All licenses expire April 30; renewal reminder is sent out in late March.
If your business is located in the city limits of Hillsborough, Chapel Hill or Carrboro then you must also contact the appropriate city hall for their city license requirements. You may be required to purchase a city license in addition to the County license. City license requirements may be different from the County requirements.
Town of Carrboro 919-942-8541
Town of Chapel Hill 919-968-2759
Town of Hillsborough 919-732-2104
If you are a Massage Practitioner and/or have a Massage Practitioner business you must be North Carolina State certified and be approved through the County’s screening process before a County license will be issued. Contact the Orange County Clerk to the Board of County Commissioners to request an application
at (919) 245-2130.
Once your application has been approved you may then purchase a County Massage Practitioner/Business License from Orange County Revenue. You are required to renew the license annually.
All licenses expire April 30; renewal reminder is sent out in late March.