Quick answer
Any business operating from a premise in Petaling Jaya, Damansara and Kota Damansara needs a premise licence from Majlis Bandaraya Petaling Jaya (MBPJ), and a signboard needs its own licence with DBP-approved wording. Local authorities grant licences under the Local Government Act 1976 and their licensing by-laws; each licence carries conditions and can be revoked (s.107). Licence fees are paid to MBPJ at cost with the official receipt.
Last reviewed： · Reviewed by：ONEKEY BIZ compliance team
01
Overview
Every shop, restaurant, office, clinic, salon or warehouse in Petaling Jaya, Damansara and Kota Damansara operates under a business premise licence issued by Majlis Bandaraya Petaling Jaya. The council's power comes from the Local Government Act 1976: Section 102 lets it make licensing by-laws, and Section 107 lets it grant licences subject to conditions and fees — and revoke them.
MBPJ processes applications through its eLesen system and issues three types of approval depending on the activity: a temporary licence for activities that may cause disturbance, an acknowledgment card (Kad Akuan) valid for six months for categories that have no temporary-licence provision, and an immediate permanent licence for activities that do not cause disturbance. Officers visit after issuance, and any compliance notice must be met within the period given before the permanent licence is secured. This is where many applicants stall: the temporary approval lapses because the conditions were never completed.
Operating without a licence exposes the business to compounds and closure notices and blocks other approvals. The practical rule is licence-first: apply while the premise is being fitted out, build the council's conditions into the renovation, and open with nothing outstanding.
Who needs this
- New businesses opening a premise in Petaling Jaya, Damansara and Kota Damansara
- Foreign-owned companies setting up their first premise
- Businesses moving premise, changing activity or adding a signboard
- Owners whose licence lapsed and need to regularise
02
Documents you need to prepare
Company
- SSM company registration (Section 14 / Notice of Registration, or Form D for enterprises)
- Director's IC or passport
Premise
- Tenancy agreement or proof of ownership
- Premise photos — interior and exterior
- Floor plan / key plan
- Premise must be on land approved for the activity (not a residential lot)
Signboard
- Coloured signboard design with DBP-approved wording
- Photo of the signboard location
Food & beverage — additional (typical)
- Food Handling Course certificates for food handlers
- Typhoid vaccination records
- Grease trap and fire extinguishers as required
- MBPJ licence and signboard fees are paid at cost and recharged with the official receipt; they are not part of our service fee.
- Some activities need prior clearance from other agencies (Bomba, health, police) before the council will issue.
03
How to get it done with ONEKEY BIZ
- 1Premise & activity check Day 1
We confirm land use, the correct licence category and any agency clearances.
- 2Condition plan Day 1–3
You receive the fit-out conditions to build into your renovation.
- 3DBP & submission Week 1
Signboard wording approved by DBP; premise and signboard application submitted.
- 4Inspection & follow-up Week 1–6
We prepare you for the council's inspection and answer officer queries.
- 5Licence issued Done
Licence approved, fees settled, expiry logged for renewal.
You do
- Send company, premise and signboard documents
- Complete the fit-out conditions
- Arrange staff courses and vaccinations if F&B
We do
- Identify the licence category and clearances
- Obtain DBP signboard approval
- Prepare, submit and follow up with MBPJ
- Pay licence fees and log the renewal date
04
What you receive
Showing your activity, premise address and validity, for display at the premise.
Approval for your signboard where applied for.
Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka approval of the signboard wording.
Council receipts for fees paid on your behalf and the expiry logged for reminders.
Real clients we've done this for
Official sources
Frequently asked questions
Can we apply before renovation is finished?
Yes — applying during fit-out and building the conditions in is the fastest route to a clean inspection.
Does the licence cover the signboard?
No. A signboard needs its own approval, and its wording must first be approved by DBP.
Is the government fee included?
No. MBPJ fees are paid at cost and recharged with the official receipt.