City of Warrenton

Opening a Business in Warrenton: New Business or New Owner

Changing Ownership

To change ownership of an existing business or to change the business, but not the type (for example: restaurant to restaurant, bar to bar, retail store to retail store), with no change to the building:

1. Occupancy Inspection:

Make an appointment with the Warrenton Fire Protection District at (636) 456-8935 for an occupancy (fire) inspection.

2. Business Licensing

Apply for a business license with the City Finance Department, 200 W. Booneslick Rd., (636) 4563535. The cost of this business license is dependent on the type of business. You may fill out an application at the Finance Dept. Office or from the City website. The following items are required:

      1. Statement of proof of contact with the Warrenton Fire Protection District.
      2. Paid personal property tax receipt/or waiver from the Warren County Collector, (636) 456-3330, at 101 Mockingbird Ln., if you live within the city limits.
      3. State sales tax number, if required by the State, from the Missouri Department of Revenue, (573) 751-5860, or visit their web page at https://dor.mo.gov/
      4. Copy of drivers’ license

3. Sign Permit

Apply for a sign permit for any new signs located on your building or lot with the City of Warrenton Building Department, 200 W. Booneslick Rd., (636) 456-3535.

4. Food Establishments

If you are developing an establishment which serves food, you must also comply with the regulations of the Warren County Health Department (636) 456-7474.

Changing Business Use

To change the USE of business (retail store to restaurant, restaurant to bar, auto sales to auto body shop, etc), change a residence to a business, create a combination of uses, or change the building in any way (new electrical service, repair/replace plumbing, put up new walls, remove existing walls, put in a new doorway, close an existing doorway, etc):

1. Before signing a lease or a deed to the property, contact

    • Building Department at (636) 456-3535 to discuss required building permits;
    • Planning and Zoning at (636) 456-3535 to discuss zoning regulations;
    • Warrenton Fire Protection District at (636) 456-8935 to discuss a change of use/occupancy inspection.

2. Business Licensing

When you have received Zoning, Final Building, and Fire Protection District approval, you may then proceed with the Finance Department.

Apply for a business license with the City Finance Department, 200 W. Booneslick Rd., (636) 4563535. The cost of this business license is dependent on the type of business. You may fill out an application at the Finance Dept. Office or from the City website. The following items are required:

      1. Statement of proof of contact with the Warrenton Fire Protection District.
      2. Paid personal property tax receipt/or waiver from the Warren County Collector, (636) 456-3330, at 101 Mockingbird Ln., if you live within the city limits.
      3. State sales tax number, if required by the State, from the Missouri Department of Revenue, (573) 751-5860, or visit their web page at https://dor.mo.gov/
      4. Copy of drivers’ license