Owning a business can be very time consuming and filled with hours of paperwork preparation. One item each local business must have is a certified business license to operate in Gulf Shores or Orange Beach. The administrations of both cities have made changes to the licensing system in order to speed up the process for owners.

City of Gulf Shores

Starting this December, the city will no longer send business and rental license renewal forms through traditional U.S. mail. Instead, all renewal forms will be delivered only by email. City officials say the change is meant to be more efficient. They also hope it will save money and reduce paper waste.

According to the city, the new email system will begin in December 2025 for the next renewal cycle. Renewals may be submitted on or after January 1, 2026. All renewals are due no later than January 31, 2026. The same January 31 deadline will remain in place every year going forward.

The city is urging all business and rental license holders to check their contact information now. Email will be the primary way the city sends renewal forms and important updates. Officials stress that it is each license holder’s responsibility to keep their email address current in the city’s license records.

Leaders say this change is part of a larger effort to modernize routine city services. By moving away from paper forms and postage, the city expects to lower mailing costs. Staff members also hope the new system will speed up communication with local businesses. Digital delivery is expected to make it easier to track and resend forms when needed.

Under the new rules, payments received after January 31 will be considered delinquent. Late renewals will face penalties as set by city policy. The city is advising business owners to plan ahead and not wait until the last minute. Officials note that electronic systems can still be busy close to a deadline.

City staff are encouraging businesses to review their email spam and junk filters. They want to make sure renewal messages from the city do not get blocked or overlooked. License holders who do not see an expected email are advised to contact the city for help. Keeping a record of emails from the city could also help resolve future questions.

The city’s Revenue Department will handle questions about the new process. Businesses and rental property owners can call 251-968-1120 for assistance. Staff there can confirm email addresses and explain how to submit payments. They can also answer questions about deadlines and possible penalties.

Officials emphasize that the main details of the renewal schedule are not changing. Renewals open at the start of January and must be completed by the end of that month. What is changing is how forms and notices reach customers. The city hopes that by relying on email, it can serve local businesses faster and more reliably.

City of Orange Beach

The City of Orange Beach has launched a new online portal for business licenses and related applications. The system uses OpenGov Permitting & Licensing. City leaders say it will cut paperwork, save time and money. They expect faster decisions for businesses and residents.

As of December 5, 2025, the portal is live at the Open Gov Website. The Orange Beach Finance Department is leading the change. Officials call it a first step toward more efficient operations. They say it should simplify licensing for customers.

The Finance Department processes more than 13,000 business license applications each year, and that number continues to grow, according to the city. The new software is expected to help staff manage the volume while keeping review times reasonable.

City officials say moving applications online will streamline how forms are submitted, reviewed, and approved. They expect a shorter wait for applicants to receive operating licenses. The goal is to reduce administrative back‑and‑forth and support new and existing businesses.

Anyone doing business or soliciting for business in Orange Beach must hold a city business license issued by the Finance Department. Licenses for ongoing businesses are renewed each January, according to the city’s Business Licenses page.

For 2026 renewals, every business license holder will need to create an online account through the OpenGov portal. The city has posted step‑by‑step account instructions on the Orange Beach OpenGov portal resources page.

According to the city, applicants are directed to use the OpenGov link for all business license applications and renewals. Officials say using a single online system should give applicants one place to submit forms and track responses.

Business owners with questions can contact the Orange Beach Finance Department at 251‑981‑6096, according to the city. Revenue‑related mail can be sent to P.O. Box 1159, Orange Beach, AL 36561.

Orange Beach City Administrator and Finance Director Ford Handley said the city is investing in its IT systems to make living and doing business in Orange Beach easier and to make the business license application more efficient for customers.

Handley said the new online portal, powered by OpenGov, will allow staff to process and approve applications much faster. He expects those gains to support ongoing improvements for city services over time.

Orange Beach now joins more than 1,900 public sector organizations that use OpenGov’s cloud‑based software, which is built for government work processes, according to the city’s announcement.

To learn more about Orange Beach business licenses, including how to apply or renew, residents and business owners can visit the OpenGov portal at the city’s business license page.