Will my Business Require any Licenses and Permits in Order to Operate?

If you are thinking about starting a business, you may need to obtain a number of licenses and permits.  The type of business you run, and the services you provide will determine any necessary licensing.  Licenses are required by local, state, and federal agencies depending on the business type and the state the business operates in.  Regulations and application and filing information can usually be found on your state or city’s website.

An alcohol license allows a business to sell alcoholic beverages to individual retail customers, from a fixed location. Licenses are issued by municipalities after the governing body determines that the applicant or business owner is qualified for the license.  There are different classes of alcohol licenses, so be sure to get the one that best suits your business.

Any business selling edible substance must have a food license, regardless of the nature of their primary business.  Any business that prepares and sells meals must have a restaurant license.  There are also temporary licenses available for business that sell food products at events and festivals.  In some states, the price of a standard food license is based on annual income from food sales; in other states the fee is fixed.

Some states require business vehicles to be registered and licensed through the state department of transportation beyond a normal operators license.  Any operator of a motor vehicle must be licenses for any particular type of vehicle as well; ie bus, or semi-truck (CDL).

Other types of licenses and permits could me necessary, state by state, include fictitious business name licenses, health department permits, zoning permits, sales tax licenses, fire department permits, hazardous chemical permits, occupational and professional licenses (medical care, auto repair, real estate services).