Miami Beach business owners can walk into City Hall on Thursday, Aug. 20, and get same-day help with permits, licenses and vendor registration at a free Business Ready Days event co-hosted by the city and Miami-Dade County.

The drop-in event runs from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Building Department Conference Room on the second floor of Miami Beach City Hall, 1700 Convention Center Drive. No appointment is needed.

City and county staff will be on hand to help business owners apply for or renew a Business Tax Receipt, register as a vendor, explore grants and small business loans, and learn about incentive programs, according to the city's official announcement.

The event is organized by the city's Economic Development Department. Business owners with questions can call 305-673-7572 or email [email protected].

Part of a broader permitting push

The event comes as Miami Beach has been working to streamline permitting for commercial operators. In January, the city expanded its walk-through building permit program to cover certain interior commercial alterations, making same-day permits available for businesses every Monday at the same City Hall location, according to a city press release.

Commissioner Alex J. Fernandez said in the Jan. 21 press release announcing that expansion that "same-day permitting helps businesses move quickly, reduces costly delays, and brings empty storefronts back to life for residents to enjoy."

Under the earlier phases of that program, roughly 350 same-day permits had been issued to residents as of January.

A recurring resource

Business Ready Days is not a one-time event. The city's events calendar lists the next occurrence for Thursday, Nov. 19, at the same location and hours.

The Aug. 20 event falls about two weeks before the traditional start of Miami Beach's busy fall hospitality season.