Trade license in Thiruvananthapuram (trade licence)

What it is and who needs it

A trade licence is permission from your city to run a trade or business at your premises. In Thiruvananthapuram it comes from the Thiruvananthapuram Municipal Corporation.

Issued by the corporation under the Kerala Municipality (Issue of Licence to Factories, Trades, Entrepreneurship Activities and Other Services) Rules, 1996. The annual fee depends on your capital investment: ₹500 for a service business up to ₹10 lakh, ₹1,000 up to ₹25 lakh, ₹5,000 up to ₹2 crore, ₹10,000 up to ₹5 crore, ₹15,000 above.

Depends on the city and trade. See the Metro Guide for each city's rules.

Official fee by business

The fee depends on the type of business. Some fees also depend on size or seats.

Documents to keep ready

• ID proof of the owner
• Lease deed or ownership certificate of the premises
• For workplaces using machinery: consent to establish from the Pollution Control Board, fire NOC or NOC from the District Medical Officer

Steps to apply

1. Collect the documents listed here.
2. Apply online at lsgkerala.gov.in (K-SWIFT single window).
3. Pay the official fee: the fee for your business type from the table above.
4. Wait for the result. Usual time: 5 days under the Right to Service rules, after a site inspection.
5. Keep the certificate safe. Validity: Annual. Renew 30 days before expiry; 25% extra if late.