Licensing your accommodation is not a one-and-done task. To keep operating legally in Belize, your BTB license and its supporting clearances must be kept current, and your hotel tax must be remitted on schedule. This guide covers what ongoing compliance actually looks like.
Renewing your BTB license
The Belize Tourism Board accommodation license is renewed on an annual cycle. Renewing properties complete the application form and remit the application fee of BZ$25 plus the licensing fee of BZ$5 per room or accommodation unit — the same fee structure as the initial application.
It is best to begin the renewal before your current license lapses so there is no gap in which you are technically operating unlicensed.
Keeping your clearances current
Your BTB license sits on top of clearances from other agencies, and those have their own renewal schedules. The Central Building Authority occupancy certification, for example, is renewed on a multi-year cycle (commonly referenced as every four years). Fire and health inspections may also need to be repeated periodically.
Tracking these separate timelines is where owners most often slip up — a lapsed clearance can hold up your BTB renewal.
Remitting the 9% accommodation tax
Every licensed accommodation must collect a 9% hotel accommodation tax from guests and remit it to the government, generally each month. Accurate booking and revenue records make this straightforward; poor record-keeping is a common source of compliance trouble.
Not sure which of these apply to your specific property? Tell us about it and we'll map out exactly what you need.
Ask Us FreeThe cost of falling out of compliance
Letting a license lapse, skipping a required re-inspection, or failing to remit the accommodation tax can expose you to the same penalties as operating unlicensed from the start — fines and a possible cease-and-desist order. Staying ahead of renewals is far cheaper than remedying a lapse.
MD Elite keeps you compliant
We track your renewal dates, clearance re-certifications, and tax obligations, and handle the paperwork each cycle — so your accommodation stays legal year after year without you having to watch the calendar.
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Free ConsultationFrequently Asked Questions
How often do I renew my BTB license?+
The BTB accommodation license is renewed annually. You complete the application form and pay the BZ$25 application fee plus BZ$5 per room or unit at each renewal.
Do my clearances renew at the same time as the license?+
Not necessarily. Supporting clearances like the CBA occupancy certificate run on their own multi-year cycles (often every four years), so they need to be tracked separately from the annual BTB renewal.
What happens if I miss a renewal or stop remitting the tax?+
You risk the same penalties as operating without a license — fines and a possible cease-and-desist order. Staying current with renewals and monthly tax remittance avoids this.