City launches Civic Access Self-service Portal for business license inquiries

The Columbus City Council meeting on April 29, 2025, highlighted the launch of the Civic Access Self-service Portal, which is now available for public use. This new online platform allows residents to access important business information directly from the city's homepage.

During the meeting, officials discussed the portal's features, including the ability to look up businesses and verify their licensing status. Users can see if a business holds a current license or if it has any expired licenses dating back to its inception. This transparency aims to help residents understand the compliance status of local businesses.

Additionally, the Civic Access Portal offers online payment options for certain excise taxes. Specifically, users can now pay the 3% mixed drink excise tax and the hotel-motel tax through the portal, streamlining the payment process for residents and business owners alike.

The introduction of the Civic Access Portal represents a significant step towards enhancing government transparency and improving public access to essential services in Columbus.