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