Revenue Department

Contacts
Please email revenue@cityoffoley.org for general information.
Jamie L. Smith, Revenue Director
Revenue Supervisor, Franchise Agreements, Tax Statistics
jlsmith@cityoffoley.org
Anita Allen, Revenue Specialist
Tax and Project User Fee Questions
aallen@cityoffoley.org
Nicole Blackwell, Revenue Clerk
Business Licenses and Commercial Sanitation Questions
nblackwell@cityoffoley.org
Angela Sherman, Revenue Auditor
Audits business records
asherman@cityoffoley.org
Location & Hours
407 E. Laurel Avenue, Foley, AL 36535
Monday through Friday, 8am–5pm
Mailing Address
P.O. Box 1750, Foley, AL 36536
Phone
251-943-1545
Business licenses are required for any individual, partnership, corporation or firm who operates or works in the City Limits or Police Jurisdiction of the City of Foley. Depending on the nature of your business, there may be additional requirements. Please complete an application (below) and submit it via email to Nicole Blackwell, nblackwell@cityoffoley.org. She will determine if your business has additional requirements and she will also give you the fee for the license.
Business License Application
Application for Business License
Opening an office/commercial location or planning to share space within an existing business in Foley? Complete this form and submit to Revenue Department:
Opening a Home-based business in the CITY LIMITS of FOLEY? Complete this form and submit to Revenue Department:
Home Based Business Application
Contractor Business License Requirements
The City of Foley Revenue Department is happy to answer any questions you may have regarding contractors and service type businesses and requirements for Foley. (251) 943-1545, M-F, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Each contractor/service/business needs a City of Foley business license. We do not require insurance but we do ask for copies and keep them on file.
Alabama requirements that must be met for a City of Foley business license:
* Commercial jobs of more than >$50,000 requires a State of Alabama General Contractors certificate.
* Roofing contracts (residential only) of more than >$2,500 requires a Roofing Certificate from the ALABAMA Board of Homebuilders. https://hblb.alabama.gov/
* Home repair contracts of more than >$10,000 requires an ALABAMA Homebuilders Licensure Certificate. https://hblb.alabama.gov/
* Plumbing contracts require MASTER certification from the ALABAMA Plumbers Board. http://pgfb.alabama.gov/
* Air Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration contracts require certification from the ALABAMA Board of HVAC. https://hacr.alabama.gov/
* Electrical work will require certification from the ALABAMA Board of Electrical Contractors. http://aecb.alabama.gov/
Short Term Rentals are allowed in the City of Foley and Police Jurisdiction; however, we do require a business license, a permit for each location and Lodging Tax (7% – Foley) to be submitted. Check with your HOA to ensure you are able to operate a Short Term Rental. The City of Foley does NOT supersede HOA requirements. The steps to take to become licensed/permitted are listed below:
Complete the City of Foley, AL Short Term Rental Business License Application for your business.
Complete a Permit Application for EACH rental you have in Foley or the PJ.
Lodging Tax in Foley is 11% (4% – State of Alabama and 7% – City of Foley). Baldwin County does not collect a Lodging tax in Foley. You will need to collect and remit the tax on all short term rentals. ***Please note: Airbnb, VRBO, Booking.com, etc does NOT collect the FULL amount of tax. You are still responsible for collecting and remitting the tax. Complete the Application for a Taxpayer ID.
- Application for Taxpayer ID
- Submit all documents to the Revenue Department. You may email them to revenue@cityoffoley.org or drop them off at 407 East Laurel Avenue.
Once we receive all the paperwork we need, we will forward your information to the Fire Inspector. Call the Fire Department to set up an inspection once you are prepared.
When approval is granted by the Fire Inspector, the Revenue Department will follow up with business owner to procure payment of business license and permit for EACH rental. Keep in mind, business license and permits are to be renewed yearly.
Once per quarter, you will complete the Short Term Rental report for all of your rentals in Foley.
Quarterly Reporting to City of Foley:
The Ordinance is attached for your convenience. There are certain requirements that you will need to be aware of. Please let us know if you have questions.
Short Term Rental Ordinance:
Effective, March 1, 2021 the City of Foley began self-collecting sales, use, rental and lodging tax. Formerly, the Alabama Department of Revenue collected on our behalf. If you file through the My Alabama Taxes (MAT) system, you may continue to do so. The only difference is you will need provide ADOR with your City of Foley Taxpayer ID#. You may email your application for tax identification number to Anita Allen, aallen@cityoffoley.org .
***Please note, we no longer allow a DISCOUNT for timely paid tax. Also, we are no longer assessing interest on late file/paid returns.
If you want to pay as ACH Credit, you must first be approved by ADOR. Please email Anita Allen, aaallen@cityoffoley.org to request a copy of our banking information (for ACH Credit only).
City of Foley Tax Rates | |||
Tax Type | Rate Type | Rate | PJ Rate |
CONSUMERS USE | AUTO, FARM & MFG MACHINE | 0.50% | 0.25% |
CONSUMERS USE | GENERAL | 3.00% | 1.50% |
LODGINGS | GENERAL | 7.00% | 3.50% |
RENTAL TAX | AUTO | 1.00% | 0.50% |
RENTAL TAX | GENERAL & LINENS | 2.00% | 1.00% |
SALES TAX | AMUSEMENT | 3.00% | 1.50% |
SALES TAX | AUTO, FARM, MFG MACHINE | 0.50% | 0.25% |
SALES TAX | GENERAL, AMUSEMENT & VENDING | 3.00% | 1.50% |
SELLERS USE | AUTO, FARM, MFG MACHINE | 0.50% | 0.25% |
SELLERS USE | GENERAL | 3.00% | 1.50% |
FORMS
Festival Sales Tax Form (One time filers) ***See special event page for more information.
Liquor Tax is due on all purchases from the prior month. Business owners who sell liquor are required to pay this tax, monthly, to the City of Foley.
Beer Tax is paid by distributors.
Beer Tax Form
Wine Tax is paid by distributors.
Tobacco Tax is paid by distributors of tobacco products.
Gas Tax is paid by distributors of gasoline, diesel and motor fuels.
Selling Liquor, Beer or Wine at your Establishment
Corporate City Limits of Foley
My business will be serving liquor, beer and/or wine, and my business is located within the corporate city limits of Foley. What is the process to obtain a City of Foley license?
All businesses in the corporate city limits that intend to sell beer, wine or liquor must have prior approval from the mayor and council. Steps are as follows:
Step 1: Apply for a license to sell liquor, beer or wine at the ABC Board. The ABC Board may require you to submit your business license application to the City as part of their application process. The phone number for ABC Board is 251-947-2971.
Step 2: Once the ABC Board completes your application, they will give you a copy and you will bring it to our City Clerk. Once we receive the application, we will add the request to our next scheduled City Council Meeting. See Council Agendas and Minutes. for details regarding dates for submitting items. We suggest you get your application to us at least 3 weeks to 1 month before the Council Meeting.
Step 3: After the mayor and council approve your request, a letter will be sent directly to the ABC Board confirming the approval. You will then need to obtain a City of Foley business license and follow up with ABC Board to get your actual Liquor License (or Beer and Wine License). See business license menu for other requirements.
Police (Fire) Jurisdiction of Foley
My business will be serving liquor, beer and/or wine, and my business is not in the corporate city limits of Foley but it is in the Police Jurisdiction of Foley. What is the process to obtain a City of Foley license?
All businesses located within the Police Jurisdiction that intend to sell beer, wine or liquor must have prior approval from Baldwin County Commission. Steps are as follows:
Step 1: Apply for a license to sell liquor, beer or wine at the ABC Board. The phone number for ABC Board is 251-947-2971.
Step 2: Contact the Baldwin County Commission office at 251-943-5061 to schedule a Public Hearing for approval of your request to sell liquor, beer or wine.
Step 3: After the County Commission approves your request, submit a copy of the approval to the Revenue Department. You will need to obtain a City of Foley business license. License fees for businesses located in the Police (Fire) jurisdiction are half of the usual rate. Liquor tax is also ½ of the normal rate.
Please refer to Business License page for information regarding other requirements for a business license.
DUMPSTERS
For businesses in the corporate city limits only, commercial trash dumpsters are provided through the City of Foley. Contact the Revenue Department for specific information or download the application form and email to one of the emails listed above.
FORMS
To view account detail and/or pay invoices:
https://www.municipalonlinepayments.com/foleyal
***We accept credit cards and E-checks***
GARBAGE CANS AND RECYCLE BINS
For information about obtaining wheeled trash carts for smaller businesses, contact Public Works at 251-943-8897.
RECYLE DUMPSTERS, CONSTRUCTION ROLL-OFF CONTAINERS & COMPACTORS
Recycle dumpster, construction roll-off containers and compactors are no longer provided through the City of Foley. The following companies are franchised to provide these services in the City of Foley:
Alabama Container Company: 251-962-4325/800-962-1823
Armor Environmental LLC: (251) 378-9900
Allied Waste Services: 800-752-4092
Baldwin Container Co.: 251-239-5509
Big Red Container Co.: 251-990-5047
Bin There Dump That: (251) 928-8789
Easy Haul, Inc.: 888-565-8315
Gulf Coast Containers: 251-443-7997
Hoyer Rentals LLC
K & S Container: (251) 979-5069
Lazenby Container Company: 251-979-2382
Rock & Roll Off’s, LLC: (251) 645-2826
The Dumpster Guy: 251-270-9633
Waste Management: 251-971-1959/800-972-2631
Waste Pro: 850-474-0800
If your business is physically located at any of the following locations OR you are a vendor at an EVENT at any of the locations listed below, you will need to collect and remit Project User Fees:
1% – Tanger Outlet – 2601 South McKenzie Street
2% – OWA – OWA Boulevard
1% – Foley Square Phase I & II (Academy to Publix)
Tanger Project User Form
Foley Square I Project User Form
Foley Square II Project User Form
Information regarding how to collect Project User Fees may be found here:
FAQ Regarding the Project User Fee
Vendors who participate in special events located in Foley will need to obtain a special event vendor license before the event.
Vendors who participate in special events and who have an active full rate City of Foley business license, will not need to apply for a special event license. Vendors who will participate in more than 5 (five) separate events during the calendar year, may choose to apply for a full rate business license to cover them for all special events. ***Refunds will not be given if they do not participate in more than 5 (five) events. We will allow credit for the events they have participated in against the full year license – if they choose to upgrade after a few events. Example: they participate in 3 events (paid $60 total) and they realize they have 3 more events in Foley. We will credit the $60 toward the full rate license of $112.
The Special Event Licenses are $20 per event [event must be less than 5 (five) days].
Previously, we did not license vendors if they were part of a City-sponsored or non-profit event; however, with the amendment all vendors will need to have a business license. If the Event Holder is non-profit, they will not be required to obtain a business license (example: Performing Arts Association, South Baldwin Chamber of Commerce, etc.).
If your association/entity will be holding events that are several weekends in a row for very limited time (example: Friday nights for 2 hours) – please contact me and we will discuss licensing of the vendors. The ordinance allows the Revenue Officer discretion with licensing.
Below is information for vendors who participate in special events (i.e. Arts & Crafts Festival, Balloon Festival, and Mudbugs & Margaritas). You will also see information from Baldwin County and the State of Alabama.
If the event is held in a district which Project User Fees are collected the vendor is also responsible for collecting and remitting Project User Fees. (See the tab regarding Project User Fees) These fees are only assessed if a festival is held in one of these Districts. You may find more information under the Project User Fees Tab.
City of Foley Information
SPECIAL EVENT VENDOR APPLICATION
Baldwin County Information
Baldwin County Vendor Sales Tax Form
Baldwin County Vendor Instruction Letter
State of Alabama
ADOR One Time Sales Tax Return
You may email the City of Foley applications to revenue@cityoffoley.org
Baldwin County Sales & Use Tax Division: 251-943-5061
https://www.baldwincountyal.gov/departments/sales-use-tax-license-inspection
State of Alabama Department of Revenue: 251-344-4737
https://revenue.alabama.gov/business-license/business-licensing/ – Business License Information
https://revenue.alabama.gov/sales-use/ – Sales & Use Tax
Secretary of State (Alabama) – Forming a Corporation, LLC, LLP – 334-242-5324