Barangay clearance
Before a city will look at your business, the barangay has to clear it. It is the cheapest document in the chain and the most frequent cause of a lost week.
The barangay clearance is issued by the barangay where the business sits, for a fee set by that barangay. It requires proof of address, a valid ID and, for a business, the lease or the owner's consent. Nothing else in the local chain can start without it.
What the government charges
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Clearance fee Typically a few hundred pesos, set locally | barangay schedule |
| Community tax certificate Required alongside it | national schedule |
Some cities no longer require a separate barangay clearance for certain business permits. Check the city's single window before queueing at the barangay.
Who needs this
- Every business applying for a Mayor's Permit for the first time.
- Businesses renewing, where the city still requires the clearance.
Who does not
- Individuals needing a clearance for employment or travel, who use the personal route, not the business route.
How it is done
- Go to the barangay hall of the business addressNot the barangay where you live, unless the business is at home.
- Bring the lease and the IDThe lease must be in the business name, or accompanied by an authority from the lessor.
- Pay and collectThe clearance is issued on the spot in most barangays once the documents are complete.
- Take it to the cityIt is an input to the Mayor's Permit assessment, not a substitute for it.
Deadline and what happens if you miss it
The clearance is annual and tied to the permit cycle. Renew it with the permit, not separately, or the city assessment stalls in January.
Why files get refused at the counter
- A lease in a different name with no deed of assignment.
- A home address where the barangay prohibits the activity.
Who does what
You
Provide the lease and the ID, and be listed as the lessee or the owner.
LPP
Check the address against the zoning and the barangay rule before the lease is signed.
Accredited partner
Runs the clearance and the city assessment in the right order.
Have this filed without the guesswork
Send the file to us. We confirm the current fee with the agency, prepare the documents, and tell you in writing what is missing before anything is submitted.
Start this case See our feesSources
- DTI, business registration and permits overview: https://www.dti.gov.ph/dti-business-center/dti-business-registration-permits
Last verified against the issuing agency on 2026-10-24. If an agency changes a fee or a deadline after that date, this page is out of date and we correct it before quoting.