Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — The City of Orange Beach has launched a new online portal for business licenses and related applications. The system uses OpenGov Permitting & Licensing. City leaders say it will cut paperwork, save time and money. They expect faster decisions for businesses and residents.

As of December 5, 2025, the portal is live at the Open Gov Website. The Orange Beach Finance Department is leading the change. Officials call it a first step toward more efficient operations. They say it should simplify licensing for customers.

The Finance Department processes more than 13,000 business license applications each year, and that number continues to grow, according to the city. The new software is expected to help staff manage the volume while keeping review times reasonable.

City officials say moving applications online will streamline how forms are submitted, reviewed, and approved. They expect a shorter wait for applicants to receive operating licenses. The goal is to reduce administrative back‑and‑forth and support new and existing businesses.

Anyone doing business or soliciting for business in Orange Beach must hold a city business license issued by the Finance Department. Licenses for ongoing businesses are renewed each January, according to the city’s Business Licenses page.

For 2026 renewals, every business license holder will need to create an online account through the OpenGov portal. The city has posted step‑by‑step account instructions on the Orange Beach OpenGov portal resources page.

According to the city, applicants are directed to use the OpenGov link for all business license applications and renewals. Officials say using a single online system should give applicants one place to submit forms and track responses.

Business owners with questions can contact the Orange Beach Finance Department at 251‑981‑6096, according to the city. Revenue‑related mail can be sent to P.O. Box 1159, Orange Beach, AL 36561.

Orange Beach City Administrator and Finance Director Ford Handley said the city is investing in its IT systems to make living and doing business in Orange Beach easier and to make the business license application more efficient for customers.

Handley said the new online portal, powered by OpenGov, will allow staff to process and approve applications much faster. He expects those gains to support ongoing improvements for city services over time.

Orange Beach now joins more than 1,900 public sector organizations that use OpenGov’s cloud‑based software, which is built for government work processes, according to the city’s announcement.

To learn more about Orange Beach business licenses, including how to apply or renew, residents and business owners can visit the OpenGov portal at the city’s business license page.