| The last thing you want to find out after starting | | | | off-street parking, waste disposal, and the size, |
| your business is that you have failed to conform | | | | construction and placement of signs. |
| to the law by not filing for the right permits for | | | | Health Department Permits - If your business |
| your business. Before establishing a small business, | | | | involves the preparation and/or sale of food, you |
| you should pay attention to your town, city, and | | | | will need a county health department permit. Note |
| county regulations. In most locations, every | | | | that the health department will inspect your |
| business needs a basic license which is sometimes | | | | facilities before issuing one. |
| called a tax registration certificate. Apart from | | | | Sales Tax License - This license is essential before |
| this, other permits and licenses may be required | | | | you can sell almost any product or service in any |
| as well. | | | | state. |
| Business licenses and permits are issued at all | | | | Fire Department Permits - Businesses such as |
| levels of government - federal, state and local | | | | restaurants, day-care centers or any other that |
| (city, county, or town). Depending upon the kind | | | | attract a large crowd need a permit from the fire |
| of business you are running, you may need to | | | | department. |
| apply for licenses at multiple levels. For example, if | | | | Special State-Issued Business Licenses or Permits |
| you decide to open a restaurant in the city of | | | | - You may need special licenses if your business |
| San Francisco, you will need a business license and | | | | involves the sale of certain types of products |
| health permit from the city of San Francisco, | | | | including liquor, lottery tickets, gasoline and |
| sales tax license from the state of California and | | | | firearms. |
| a federal tax ID number from the U.S. federal | | | | Special State-Issued Occupational / Professional |
| government. | | | | Licenses - In many states, people in certain |
| Not sure what kind of license or permit you need | | | | occupations must have licenses or occupational |
| for your business venture? Well, as usual, we've | | | | permits. State licensing is typically required for |
| made it simple for you. Below is a quick checklist | | | | auto mechanics, plumbers, electricians, building |
| covering the most common federal, state, and | | | | contractors, collection agents, insurance agents, |
| local licenses and permits you may need to | | | | real estate brokers, repossessors and personal |
| acquire before commencing business: | | | | service providers (beauticians, cosmetologists, |
| Business License - This is the basic license that | | | | therapists and masseurs). If you are thinking of |
| you will need to operate a business legally. If the | | | | starting any of these businesses, you will have to |
| business is located within city limits, a license must | | | | pass state examinations in order to get the |
| be obtained from the city; if outside, it is procured | | | | permit. Contact your state government offices to |
| from the county. Contact your city's business | | | | get a complete list of occupations that require |
| license department to file an application. Also | | | | licensing. |
| remember that you need to pay an annual fee. | | | | Special Federal Business Licenses or Permits - You |
| Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN) - | | | | may also require special business licenses from |
| Also known as a tax identification number, this is | | | | the federal government if your business involves |
| required for almost all types of businesses. | | | | investment advising, drug manufacturing, |
| Depending on where your business is located, you | | | | preparation of meat products, broadcasting, |
| may also need to acquire a similar tax | | | | manufacturing tobacco, alcohol or firearms. |
| identification number from your state. | | | | Licensing and permit requirements for small |
| Zoning and Land Use Permits - Before you start | | | | businesses vary from state to state; it is |
| your business, you have to find out if the space | | | | therefore a good idea for you to contact your |
| you are going to use is properly zoned for the | | | | state and local government to determine the |
| kind of usage that is planned. You may need a | | | | specific obligations for your new business. |
| zoning compliance permit. Zoning laws regulate | | | | |