Trader's License — Baltimore City (Clerk of the Circuit Court)
Maryland retail businesses, including Baltimore restaurants, need a Trader's License from the Clerk of the Circuit Court — obtained after the Sales & Use Tax Number.
What it is. The Trader's License required to sell goods in Maryland, issued by the Clerk of the Circuit Court for the jurisdiction where you operate (Baltimore City). You must obtain a Sales and Use Tax Number from the Comptroller before applying; the fee scales to inventory.
Who issues it. Clerk of the Circuit Court for Baltimore City (City/court layer). Prerequisite: Maryland Sales & Use Tax License.
When you need it. Before offering goods for sale.
How to apply. Obtain the Sales & Use Tax Number, then apply for the Trader's License with the Baltimore City Circuit Court Clerk.
Fees. Scaled to inventory value — see source (⟢ VERIFY).
Renewal. Annual.
What SpoonSeal tracks. The document(s) you upload for this requirement, with automatic renewal/expiration tracking (Current, Due Soon, Expired). Where the city publishes health-inspection results (e.g., NYC and Chicago), SpoonSeal syncs them automatically; elsewhere they can be added manually.
References
- Maryland Courts — Business Licenses — https://www.mdcourts.gov/clerks/cecil/business — Official source last checked: 2026-07-02
- Comptroller of Maryland — Types of Business Licenses — https://www.marylandcomptroller.gov/businesses/new-business/business-licenses.html — Official source last checked: 2026-07-02
Stay ahead of this requirement
SpoonSeal stores your documents, tracks expirations, and reminds you before anything lapses — so you are always inspection-ready.
Get started free →This guide is informational and not legal advice. Always confirm current requirements with the official agency linked above.