Founder's Guide

Lake Wales, FL · Updated October 2026

Business Directory

Zoning, licenses, fees and the people to call — everything from the guide, on one page.

Call first

Planning & city contacts

Call before you sign a lease. Give the address and exactly what you plan to do there, and ask for the answer by email.

  • Planning and ZoningZoning district, permitted use, site plan, special exception, impact fees863-676-5112
  • Fire MarshalFire approval required on the City application; what the building needs863-678-4203
  • Building Division / PermittingBusiness tax receipts, permits, change-of-use code work863-676-5115 · permitting@lakewalesfl.gov
  • City Hall main lineAsk for the CRA about incentive programs863-678-4182
  • Lake Wales Main StreetFaçade and sign grants downtown863-249-7936
  • Polk County Land DevelopmentZoning for addresses in unincorporated Polk County863-534-6792
  • Polk County Tax Collector — Lake Wales658 Highway 60 West, weekdays 8:30–5:00863-534-4700
  • DBPR Hotels and RestaurantsState food service and mobile food licenses850-487-1395
  • Florida Department of Health in Polk CountyTattoo and body piercing licenses863-519-8330

Who answers the phone

City Hall, Chamber & Library

The people behind the offices — useful once you know which question you are asking.

Before the lease

Zoning

The City will not issue a business tax receipt where zoning does not allow the business (city code 19-104).

In order

Licenses & registrations

State license first if you need one, then the County receipt, then the City receipt with copies of everything.

  • Sunbiz — new LLCFiling plus registered agent$125
  • Sunbiz — new corporationFiling plus registered agent$70
  • Fictitious nameGood for five years$50
  • LLC / corporation annual reportDue January 1 to May 1; $400 late fee after May 1$138.75 / $150
  • EIN and sales tax registrationDirectly from the IRS and Florida onlineFree
  • Restaurant or café (state)$50 application plus $262 a year for 1–49 seatsDBPR
  • Food truck (state)$50 application plus $347 a yearDBPR
  • AlcoholState beverage license with City zoning sign-offDBPR ABT
  • Cottage foodNo permit, up to $250,000 a year, direct to consumer, labeledFDACS

As of Oct 2026 — recheck

Business tax receipt fees

The City assigns your category, so treat City fees as estimates. Several categories add $3 per employee above those included.

  • Polk County — Class ANot state-regulated$39.38
  • Polk County — Class BHolds a state license, certification or registration$72.19
  • Polk County — Class CSpecial events, stall markets, pawn, fireworks$393.75
  • City — retail shopUp to 4 / 5 to 8 employees$30 / $60
  • City — restaurant or café1–25 / 26–50 / 51–75 seats$30 / $40 / $60
  • City — take-out / snack counterNo seating$50 / $20
  • City — barNot attached to a restaurant$100
  • City — salon or barbershopFirst chair, then each additional$30, then $10
  • City — licensed professionalsAttorney, accountant, engineer, physician, architect, each$60
  • City — real estate agentEach$30
  • City — contractorsMost trades$60
  • City — cleaning, janitorial, lawnIncluding 2 employees$30
  • City — software, design, advertisingIncluding 2 employees$60
  • City — anything not listed$100
  • City — transferChange of owner, name or address: 10% of the tax$3 to $25

Ask before you count on it

Grants, incentives & review boards

CRA grants run on published application cycles, and the boards below decide rezonings, site plans and exterior changes downtown. Their agendas are published with the commission agenda packet.

  • CRA Business Incentive Program50% match up to $50,000 (up to $100,000 for two-story buildings); permitted use required; no restaurants or bars; outside historic downtownProgram page
  • Food-Related Services IncentiveUp to $50,000 toward a restaurant or food build-out downtown or in the Northwest (Lincoln Avenue) areaCRA · 863-678-4182
  • Historic Restoration Façade GrantHalf the cost of exterior restoration downtown, up to $50,000 per propertyMain Street · 863-249-7936
  • Main Street sign grantUp to $500 toward an approved downtown signMain Street · 863-249-7936
  • CRA OfficeFacade and sign grants, business incentives — Onya Bates, CRA Coordinatorobates@lakewalesfl.gov
  • Planning & Zoning BoardReviews rezonings, site plans, variances and conditional uses before they reach the commission
  • Historic Preservation BoardReviews exterior changes to contributing buildings in the historic districts
  • City Clerk — Jennifer NanekBoard questions, public records, accommodations · weekdays 8–5863-678-4182 ext. 270 · jnanek@lakewalesfl.gov

Code 23-348

Home-based businesses

Still needs both tax receipts. Ask Development Services which standard they apply — the posted affidavit carries older language.

  • Workers on siteUp to two non-residents; remote employees don't count
  • SpaceUp to 25% of the home's air-conditioned floor area
  • CustomersBy appointment only, two at a time
  • SignOne non-illuminated, flush, up to two square feet
  • TrafficTen extra trips and one delivery a day; no tractor-trailers
  • Not allowedBeauty/barber, auto repair, kennels, public dining, antique or gift shops, preschools, private clubs, classes over two
  • Read the ordinanceCity code 23-348

Built here

Local startups & founders

People actually building companies in Lake Wales — who they are, what they make, and where to find them.

  • BackTierJason WadeAI visibility and entity engineering — and the publisher of this guidebacktier.com
  • IronRock SoftwareJosh WatsonCustom software and data solutions, run from a downtown Park Avenue officeRead the profile
  • Z3NGAGERichard CrandallAI automation, local SEO and lead-generation systems for service businessesLinkedIn
  • MonarkBrian RomanMonarkOS — software that helps churches and organizations operate and growLinkedIn
  • Ferpher FarmsChristopher & Jennifer TolenOrganic microgreens, tinctures and growing workshopsferpherfarms.com
  • The Thirsty DragonRobert & Susan ConnorsEuropean-tavern-style pub downtown — and the home of Lake Wales Startup NightRead the story
  • Latte LoungeCarolyn & Matt OwensCoffee, teas and game nights in the downtown Arcade, 229 E Stuart AveRead the story
  • Smokin' DJ'sDemetrius & Jennifer LeeksFrom food truck to downtown barbecue restaurant, 122 N 1st St — opened with the City's food incentiveRead the story
  • Sew Creative Fabrics & MoreTeri WarrenFabric, notions and embroidery supply shop, 249 E Stuart AveRead the story
  • Mini BinsFamily-runBargain bin store with weekly truckloads, 2535 State Rd 60myminibins.com
  • Wild Gator Airboat AdventuresCaptains Slade & JustinAirboat and pontoon tours launching from Cherry Pocketwildgatorairboating.com
  • BizLINC Business IncubatorFlorida Development CorporationCity-backed incubator at 225 Lincoln Ave for new local entrepreneursRead the story

Building something in Lake Wales? Email email@jasonwade.com to be listed.

Who is already here

Local businesses

A starter list of companies operating in and around Lake Wales — search by name or service, or narrow by industry and part of town.

No businesses match. Try a different word, or clear the filters.

Community-sourced starter list — details may change. To add or correct a business, email email@jasonwade.com.

Fees and programs change. Call before you count on any number here. Compiled by Jason Wade.