How to Get a Business Permit in Nairobi in 2026 (Unified Business Permit Guide)
How to Get a Business Permit in Nairobi
Every business operating in Nairobi needs a county business permit. Nairobi City County now issues a Unified Business Permit (UBP), which combines several licences that used to be separate into one permit.
What the Unified Business Permit Covers
Depending on your business type, the UBP brings together the business operating permit, fire safety certificate, health and food hygiene certificates, pest control and advertising signage licences. Some regulated activities - such as liquor sales - still need additional licences.
Requirements
- Your business registration certificate (business name or company)
- KRA PIN of the business or owner
- Owner's or directors' ID
- The physical location of the premises (building, street, plot or LR number)
- Business activity, size of premises and number of employees
Step-by-Step
- Go to the Nairobi County e-services portal at nairobiservices.go.ke and create an account.
- Choose Unified Business Permit - new application or renewal.
- Enter your business details, activity category, location and premises size.
- The system or county officers assess the fee based on your business category, size and location.
- Pay through the county's payment channels, including M-Pesa.
- Download and print the permit, and display it at your premises.
- Expect possible inspection by county officers, especially for food, health and fire compliance.
Fees
Fees vary widely by activity, size and location - a small kiosk pays far less than a large supermarket or office. The county's tariff and pricing policy sets the schedule, and the portal shows your assessed fee before payment.
Renewal and Penalties
The permit is renewed annually, and the county typically sets a renewal deadline early in the year. Late renewal attracts penalties, and operating without a permit can lead to enforcement action. Renew early to avoid the rush.
Outside Nairobi
Every county issues its own business permit through its own portal or revenue offices, with similar requirements. Check your county government's website.
How Fees Are Assessed
Nairobi does not charge one flat permit fee. The county's tariff schedule groups businesses into activity categories - general trade and retail, hospitality, professional services, transport, industrial and so on - and then adjusts the charge by the size of the premises, the number of employees and the zone the business sits in. Central business district premises generally pay more than the same activity in an outer estate.
| Factor | How it affects the fee |
|---|---|
| Activity category | Different categories have different base charges; regulated activities such as food, health and liquor attract extra conditions |
| Size of premises | Larger floor area usually means a higher band |
| Number of employees | Small, medium and large bands |
| Location or zone | CBD and prime commercial zones usually cost more than outer areas |
| Fire, health and signage components | Bundled into the UBP where applicable |
Because the components are now bundled, a small food kiosk may find its total lower than the separate licences it used to pay, while a larger restaurant may see a higher single figure that replaces several old bills.
A Realistic Timeline
| Step | Typical time |
|---|---|
| Creating the portal account | Same day |
| Submitting the application | 15 to 30 minutes |
| Assessment and invoice | Same day to a few days |
| Payment confirmation | Usually immediate on M-Pesa |
| Inspection (where required) | Can happen before or after issue |
| Printing the permit | Immediately after confirmation |
Plan to apply at least two weeks before you open, especially if your business handles food or needs a fire inspection.
Documents to Keep at the Premises
County enforcement officers may ask to see:
- The printed Unified Business Permit for the current year, displayed visibly
- Your business registration certificate
- Medical certificates for food handlers, where your business handles food
- Fire safety equipment that is serviced and in date
- Receipts for advertising signage if not covered in your assessment
Keep digital copies on your phone as well.
Common Mistakes
- Declaring the wrong activity to get a lower fee. If inspection finds a different activity, you can be re-assessed and penalised.
- Waiting for the January rush. Renewal queues and portal slowdowns peak early in the year.
- Assuming one permit covers two branches. Each premises generally needs its own permit.
- Forgetting the permit when you move. A new location means updating or re-applying.
- Paying through unofficial channels. Pay only through the county's official payment options and keep the receipt.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do home-based and online businesses need a Nairobi permit? If you run commercial activity from premises in Nairobi, including a home office that receives clients or stores stock, you are generally expected to hold a permit. Check the activity category that fits your business on the county portal.
Can I operate while my application is being processed? Keep your payment receipt and application reference with you. Enforcement practice varies, so it is safest to apply well before you open.
What happens if I do not renew? The county charges penalties on late renewals and can take enforcement action, including closure in serious cases. Renewing early is far cheaper than dealing with enforcement.
Is the Unified Business Permit the same as a trade licence? It replaces the old single business permit and bundles several other county licences, but some national licences - such as those required for pharmacies, financial services or alcohol - are still issued separately by their regulators.