Do Business In Harrisburg

Licensing & Permitting

A BUSINESS PRIVILEGE AND MERCANTILE LICENSE is required of all businesses doing trade within the City of Harrisburg, whether you are headquartered here or elsewhere. 

Anyone establishing a business located in the City of Harrisburg is required to obtain a BUSINESS ZONING/FIRE PREVENTION PERMIT. This will show that your business is legitimate at your location and that it meets the Fire Code. 

If you are vending on a sidewalk or elsewhere outdoors, you also need to obtain a VENDOR’S LICENSE and an OWNER’S CONSENT FORM, and anyone providing food or drink of any type must have a HEALTH LICENSE. All applications are available online or you can apply in person at the Tax & Enforcement Office, Room 305-A of City Hall.

Planning & Zoning

Before selecting a business location, be sure to review the interactive zoning map, Zoning Code, and/or schedule a meeting with our Planning Bureau to discuss your needs.

The Bureau of Planning promotes orderly future growth and development in the City through long-range comprehensive planning and enforcement of zoning, historic district, and floodplain regulations.

Our staff works diligently to promote and facilitate physical development plans, to preserve and enhance districts of historical and architectural significance, and to develop and apply the City’s Geographic Information System (GIS) to all areas of development including the identification of all pertinent physical attributes of a property (floodplain, historic district, and zoning).

View the Zoning Map

L.E.R.T.A Overview

Created Dec. 1, 1977 authorizing local taxing authorities to provide for tax exemption for certain deteriorated industrial, commercial and other business property and for new construction in deteriorated areas of economically depressed communities; providing for an exemption schedule and establishing standards and qualifications.  The City of Harrisburg, in an effort to promote and encourage new development as well as rehabilitation of existing structures, has enabled the Local Economic Revitalization Tax Abatement Program.  This is based on the passing of bill NO. 18 – 2014 NO. 4 of Session 2015, passed May 12, 2015.  The City’s believes that this tool will assist in the eventual tax base increase, the creation of jobs and aid in the overall redevelopment of the City.  The Harrisburg City School district and Dauphin County have each passed the same resolution.

L.E.R.T.A Eligibility Requirements

All properties within the City of Harrisburg shall be eligible for improvement.  The owner of any property (commercial/residential) is eligible for tax abatement on property tax increases resulting from the redevelopment or substantial improvement of a property which results in the reassessment of the property by Dauphin County.  Any person and or business owning a property within the City is eligible to apply for this program, with any award provided will be done so in compliance with all sections of these guidelines.  

Application Process

Tax Abatement 2016 – 2024 Application for Exemption may be obtained from the Bureau of Codes Administration or through the City of Harrisburg’s website:  http://harrisburgpa.gov/ .  L.E.R.T.A applications can be submitted up to 10 business days after the building permit is issued, but not after construction has begun, is completed and or a certificate of occupancy has already been issued.  If you should have any questions regarding the tax abatement program and or additional eligibility requirements, please inquire with the City of Harrisburg’s Department of Community and Economic Development; Director of Business Development, Charlie L. White, Jr. at (717) 255.7268.

Get Started With LERTA

Free Small Business Workshops 

• First Step to Starting Your Business (Harrisburg, PA) | January 4th
• Business Planning in a Nutshell (Harrisburg PA) | January 25th
• First Step to Starting Your Business (Harrisburg, PA) | February 8th
• Business Planning in a Nutshell (Harrisburg PA) | February 22nd

Class Overview

First Step To Starting Your Business

Training Topics: Accounting/Budget, Business Start-up/Pre-planning, Legal Issues, Other
Description: This workshop covers a number of critical issues relevant to starting and operating a small business. Professional presenters include attorneys, insurance agents, accountants, financial specialists and zoning and codes staff. The workshop is designed for both entrepreneurs thinking about opening their first business and existing business owners looking for a “checkup”.

Business Planning in a Nutshell