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Trade license in Shimla (trade licence)
The trade licence fee for every business type in Shimla, the documents and where to apply.
Fees last checked: 28 Oct 2026
The short answer
The trade licence fee for every business type in Shimla, the documents and where to apply. Key facts: Issued by: Municipal Corporation Shimla; Fee, retail shop: ₹200 or ₹300 (per year by shop area: ₹200 up to 125 sq ft, ₹300 above); Apply at: shimlamc.hp.gov.in.
Source: mcslogin.hp.gov.in, checked 2 Oct 2026.
Fee for a retail shop Checked on 2 Oct 2026 Source
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 Shimla it comes from the Municipal Corporation Shimla.
Issued each year by the Estate Branch of Municipal Corporation Shimla. The licence fee is by shop area: ₹200 up to 125 sq ft, ₹300 above. A plain paper application costs ₹5.
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.
| Business | Licence | Official fee | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Restaurant or Café | Business licence (section 324, HP Municipal Corporation Act, 1994) | ₹200 or ₹300per year by shop area: ₹200 up to 125 sq ft, ₹300 aboveChecked on 2 Oct 2026 Source | No time limit published by the corporation. Track your application on its portal. |
| Cloud Kitchen | Business licence (section 324, HP Municipal Corporation Act, 1994) | ₹200 or ₹300per year by shop area: ₹200 up to 125 sq ft, ₹300 aboveChecked on 2 Oct 2026 Source | No time limit published by the corporation. Track your application on its portal. |
| Bakery or Sweet Shop | Business licence (section 324, HP Municipal Corporation Act, 1994) | ₹200 or ₹300per year by shop area: ₹200 up to 125 sq ft, ₹300 aboveChecked on 2 Oct 2026 Source | No time limit published by the corporation. Track your application on its portal. |
| Home Food or Tiffin Business | Business licence (section 324, HP Municipal Corporation Act, 1994) | ₹200 or ₹300per year by shop area: ₹200 up to 125 sq ft, ₹300 aboveChecked on 2 Oct 2026 Source | No time limit published by the corporation. Track your application on its portal. |
| Catering Business | Business licence (section 324, HP Municipal Corporation Act, 1994) | ₹200 or ₹300per year by shop area: ₹200 up to 125 sq ft, ₹300 aboveChecked on 2 Oct 2026 Source | No time limit published by the corporation. Track your application on its portal. |
| Grocery or Kirana Store | Business licence (section 324, HP Municipal Corporation Act, 1994) | ₹200 or ₹300per year by shop area: ₹200 up to 125 sq ft, ₹300 aboveChecked on 2 Oct 2026 Source | No time limit published by the corporation. Track your application on its portal. |
| Retail Shop | Business licence (section 324, HP Municipal Corporation Act, 1994) | ₹200 or ₹300per year by shop area: ₹200 up to 125 sq ft, ₹300 aboveChecked on 2 Oct 2026 Source | No time limit published by the corporation. Track your application on its portal. |
| Pharmacy or Medical Store | Business licence (section 324, HP Municipal Corporation Act, 1994) | ₹200 or ₹300per year by shop area: ₹200 up to 125 sq ft, ₹300 aboveChecked on 2 Oct 2026 Source | No time limit published by the corporation. Track your application on its portal. |
| Online Selling Business | Business licence (section 324, HP Municipal Corporation Act, 1994) | ₹200 or ₹300per year by shop area: ₹200 up to 125 sq ft, ₹300 aboveChecked on 2 Oct 2026 Source | No time limit published by the corporation. Track your application on its portal. |
| Salon or Beauty Parlour | Business licence (section 324, HP Municipal Corporation Act, 1994) | ₹200 or ₹300per year by shop area: ₹200 up to 125 sq ft, ₹300 aboveChecked on 2 Oct 2026 Source | No time limit published by the corporation. Track your application on its portal. |
| Gym or Fitness Studio | Business licence (section 324, HP Municipal Corporation Act, 1994) | ₹200 or ₹300per year by shop area: ₹200 up to 125 sq ft, ₹300 aboveChecked on 2 Oct 2026 Source | No time limit published by the corporation. Track your application on its portal. |
| Clinic | Business licence (section 324, HP Municipal Corporation Act, 1994) | ₹200 or ₹300per year by shop area: ₹200 up to 125 sq ft, ₹300 aboveChecked on 2 Oct 2026 Source | No time limit published by the corporation. Track your application on its portal. |
| Coaching or Tuition Centre | Business licence (section 324, HP Municipal Corporation Act, 1994) | ₹200 or ₹300per year by shop area: ₹200 up to 125 sq ft, ₹300 aboveChecked on 2 Oct 2026 Source | No time limit published by the corporation. Track your application on its portal. |
| Office or Agency | Business licence (section 324, HP Municipal Corporation Act, 1994) | ₹200 or ₹300per year by shop area: ₹200 up to 125 sq ft, ₹300 aboveChecked on 2 Oct 2026 Source | No time limit published by the corporation. Track your application on its portal. |
| Import Export Business | Business licence (section 324, HP Municipal Corporation Act, 1994) | ₹200 or ₹300per year by shop area: ₹200 up to 125 sq ft, ₹300 aboveChecked on 2 Oct 2026 Source | No time limit published by the corporation. Track your application on its portal. |
Fees and rules change and can differ between offices. Confirm the fee on the official portal before you pay.
Documents to keep ready
- Plain paper application (₹5 fee)
- Affidavit naming the owner of the premises (first applicants)
- Proof that you are registered with the corporation's tax department
- Commercial water connection where the trade needs water
- Fire department NOC for hotels, restaurants, dhabas, halwai shops, guest houses and similar trades
- Medical fitness certificate for food (PFA) licences, applied to the Corporation Health Officer
Steps to apply
- Collect the documents listed here.
- Apply online at shimlamc.hp.gov.in.
- Pay the official fee: the fee for your business type from the table above.
- Wait for the result. Usual time: No time limit published by the corporation. Track your application on its portal..
- Keep the certificate safe. Validity: 1 year. Apply or renew in March and April; a fine applies after that..
Where to apply
Municipal Corporation Shimla. Official portal: shimlamc.hp.gov.in.
After you apply
What to do once the form is submitted: where to track it, how long it takes, why it gets rejected and what the law says if you do not have it.
Track your application
Typical time
No time limit published by the corporation. Track your application on its portal.
Not officially verified
If you operate without it
Running a trade that needs a municipal licence without one can lead to a fine, a closure or sealing of the shop under the city's municipal law. The amount differs by city, so we do not show one here.
Law: The municipal corporation or municipality Act and trade licence by-laws of your city
Not officially verified
Common reasons for rejection and how to fix them
| Reason | How to fix it |
|---|---|
| Premises proof or landlord NOC is missing | Attach the rent agreement with a landlord NOC, or the property tax receipt if you own the place. |
| The shop is in a zone where this trade is not allowed | Ask the municipal office which zones allow the trade. Move to an allowed place or apply for a change of use. |
| Property tax or earlier dues are unpaid | Clear the dues, keep the receipt and apply again. |
| FSSAI, fire NOC or another required certificate is not attached | Get the other certificate first, then upload it with the trade licence application. |
| Details in the form do not match the documents | Check name, address and trade type against your ID and premises papers and correct the form. |
Not officially verified
Govt License is an independent guide. Fines and rules change, so confirm on the official portal. Items marked Not officially verified could not be checked on an official page.
Free formats you may need
Printable samples you can copy, fill in and print. Each is only a sample, so check it with the issuing office.
Landlord NOC
A letter from the owner of a shop or office saying the tenant may run a business there.
Free formatSelf-declaration (trade licence)
A short signed statement by the applicant that the details in the trade licence application are true and the business will follow the rules.
Free formatAffidavit (trade licence)
A sworn statement made before a notary, used by some municipal offices as proof that the premises and details in a trade licence application are true.
Free formatPartnership consent letter
A letter signed by all partners of a firm saying one partner may apply for, sign for and hold a licence on behalf of the firm.
Free formatRent agreement
An 11 month agreement between the owner and the tenant of a house or flat that sets out the rent, deposit, notice period and rules of stay.
Free formatShop or office lease agreement
A lease between the owner of a shop, office or godown and a business tenant, with the rent, deposit, yearly increase, lock in and notice terms.
Free formatCommon questions
Do I need a trade licence in Shimla?
How much is a trade licence in Shimla?
Where do I apply for a trade licence in Shimla?
How long does a trade licence take in Shimla?
Is Govt License a government website?
Business guides for Shimla
Each guide lists every licence the business needs in Shimla, including the trade licence.