To obtain a business license, you have three options: apply for a license yourself, contact a third-party vendor to prepare your business license applications, or contact an experienced attorney who can help you file your business license. If you want to purchase a commercial license yourself, you can follow these general steps. “If you`re running your business from home, you need to get a squat license,” said Deborah Sweeney, CEO of MyCorporation. “This ensures that your neighborhood is zoned for commercial activities at home. This means that doing business from home doesn`t add traffic or extra noise to the community. Each county imposes different requirements and regulations on business licenses, and non-compliance can have a litany of consequences, such as fines, late fees, penalties, and denial of operation. Therefore, it is important to identify the licences and permits you need before opening your doors to the public. There are three main reasons for this. Licences help protect public health and safety, track a company`s finances for tax purposes, and identify businesses so they can be held accountable for their actions.
You should obtain all necessary licenses before running your business or opening your doors to the public. Otherwise, you face fines and other penalties. Once you have your licenses, it`s important to review them properly, make copies for your records, and track renewal dates. In addition to the standard commercial licenses that most businesses need, you`ll likely need industry-specific licenses and approvals. Common industries that often require specific licenses and permits include architecture, beauty salons and spas, child care, cleaning and janitorial services, construction, electrical engineering, engineering, food and alcohol, general contractors, healthcare, insurance, landscaping, pest control, pharmaceuticals, plumbing, temporary events and tobacco. Businesses that sell products and services to the general public often require more permits. Contact your state tax authorities to find out if you need a sales tax permit or another state license. It`s helpful to start with a business plan. A business plan is a blueprint for all aspects of your business. Sales, marketing, advertising, promotion, and location are just a few of the categories to consider when creating a plan. Visit the U.S. Small Business Administration website for a tutorial on creating a business plan.
A business license is the legal registration of your business that allows you to operate in your industry and jurisdiction. Small businesses are required by law by federal and local agencies to obtain the appropriate business licenses before they can offer goods or services. Business licenses benefit counties by allowing them to generate revenue, impose zoning restrictions, and regulate the businesses that operate there. However, a business license can also be beneficial for your small business if you`re starting a business that involves manufacturing, or if you decide to run a home-based business, you may need to obtain a land use permit from your city or county zoning department, depending on your location. Property use permits guarantee that the business is licensed in the zoning district where it is located. It also checks whether the structure was built for the type of business proposed. State and federal agencies may also require establishment permits to comply with certain specialized laws (for example, if your company uses regulated hazardous substances or provides certain regulated professional services such as cosmetics). Contact your city`s business permits, taxes and zoning offices to find out what business permits your business may need. Each municipality has regulations on what types of businesses (and where) can operate, so you`ll need to check if the city you`re operating in is zoned for your specific type of business. If not, you`ll need to apply for an area waiver and prove that your business isn`t significantly disrupting the community.
For business licenses in certain industries, such as architecture or construction, Gilmer said business owners may also need to specify: While it may seem harmless, putting up a commercial sign before getting proper signage permits can result in hefty fines. Many local governments regulate requirements for company logos, such as their size and location. To avoid wasting money on a sign that doesn`t match the code, check with your local government to see if you need to follow the guidelines or get a signage permit in advance. Start by researching which licenses apply to your business at the federal, state, and local levels. Contact the relevant agencies in the places where you wish to operate. Get all the necessary licenses and permits to legally operate your business. We make it easy for you. Starting at $99.99. To have the best chance of obtaining a business license and ensuring regulatory compliance, you should seek advice from an experienced lawyer, especially if you are dealing with complex licensing requirements and applications.