Please reference the Terms of Use and the Supplemental Terms for specific information related to your state. Grow Your Legal Practice. Meet the Editors. Even minor home improvement projects frequently require a permit; a step you skip at your peril. For example, you will likely need a building permit to: add or remove walls change the use of a room such as by converting a garage to a living room change the piping in your house re-roof your house, or demolish a portion of your house.
Projects that don't usually need a permit include: repainting your house adding kitchen cabinets replacing certain kitchen appliances repaving your driveway installing floor coverings, or erecting a small fence.
The typical steps to obtaining a building permit are: Completing a permit application. Preparing a site plan for the project. If your project is extensive, you will likely need to hire an architect or other professional to draw the project as it will be constructed to show that it will meet building and zoning codes.
Scheduling an appointment for plan approval. You might be able to receive approval in person at an "over-the-counter" review. Or, the city might take several days or weeks to review the plans. The process may get extended even further if the city requires corrections and revisions.
Getting the permit. In cases where a permit is required, you will need to obtain it before you conduct any construction on your property. Scheduling inspections. As you perform construction, you will need to schedule inspections throughout the process so the city can verify that you are acting according to your plans.
Complete your project and obtain final city approval. A fictitious name sometimes called a "DBA" doing business as is a permit to do business in a city or county.
This permit is required if your business name is not your name as the owner. For example, if your name is Kerry Carlson and you are doing business as City Building Supplies, you'll need to get the fictitious name permit, usually from your county.
Local business license. Some cities or counties require a business license for new businesses, even if the business is already registered with the state as a corporation, partnership, or LLC.
Special licenses and permits. Depending on what your business does, you may need one of these special licenses or permits before you are allowed to begin selling to customers:. Your business must comply with a variety of federal regulations, some of which require licenses and permits. In addition to local and state requirements, several federal agencies require may require you to have specific licenses, permits or certificates.
Your state will require you to have several different types of licenses and permits, depending on what kind of business you are starting, whether you have employees and if you are selling products or services. Here are the three most common licenses and permits are required by states:. Professional licenses. All states license professionals and those who work in personal services, like nail technicians, cosmetologists, and massage therapists.
People in these professions must get a state license before they can begin to practice :. If you need a state license, search for your state's board of professional practice or similar title. Sales Tax Permit. If you are selling taxable products or services, you will need to apply for a seller's permit in your state. You may also need this permit if you are selling online. Registering as an Employer. States require employers to register with them as employers, for state tax purposes.
Specifically, you must comply with state regulations for unemployment tax and for worker's compensation. Still, here is a list of many common compliance documents:. This checklist is not exhaustive, and you will need to do the proper research on the licenses and permits which apply to your business. You will find links there to the various state business licence office websites, which should set out the state's license and permit requirements and provide you with information on how to get a business license.
Contents 4 min read. Belle Wong, J. Connect … Read more. Starting a Business. As a business owner, you have many options for paying yourself, but each comes with tax implications. Each business structure has its advantages and disadvantages.
Find out what they are. If an LLC, or Limited Liability Company, seems like the ideal vehicle for your side business, you may be wondering if you can form an LLC while employed at another job.
Don't let your enthusiasm prevent you from taking the time to plan your business strategy and protect yourself legally or financially. Your choice will likely come down to cost and the level of liability protection you need. Properly licensing your business will ensure you comply with all state, county, and local laws. Find out how to get a business license for your new business.
Starting Your LLC. Follow these steps to get your business up and running quickly and easily. Start your new business on the right foot by following these helpful steps. LLCs and S corporations are different aspects of business operations, but are not mutually exclusive.
Use this guide to learn more about the difference between an LLC vs. Forming certain business entities, filing an assumed name, or registering a trademark can afford you business name protection.
But failing to do so-and doing it right from the beginning-is one of the most common mistakes new entrepreneurs make. Following are some of the most common licenses and permits homebased small-business owners may need and where to go for more information. Business License Contact your city's business license department to find out about getting a business license, which essentially grants you the right after you pay a fee, of course to operate a business in that city.
When you file your license application, the city planning or zoning department will check to make sure your area is zoned for the purpose you want to use it for and that there are enough parking spaces to meet the codes. You can't operate in an area that is not zoned for your type of business unless you first get a variance or conditional-use permit.
To get a variance, you'll need to present your case before your city's planning commission. In many cases, variances are quite easy to get, as long as you can show that your business won't disrupt the character of the neighborhood where you plan to locate. Because you're planning to start a business in your home, you should investigate zoning ordinances especially carefully.
Residential neighborhoods tend to have strict zoning regulations preventing business use of the home. Even so, it's possible to get a variance or conditional-use permit; and in many areas, attitudes toward homebased businesses are becoming more supportive, making it easier to obtain a variance.
Visit the Zoning section of this article for more information. Fire Department Permit You may need to get a permit from your fire department if your business uses any flammable materials or if your premises will be open to the public.
In some cities, you have to get this permit before you open for business. Other areas don't require permits but simply schedule periodic inspections of your business to see if you meet fire safety regulations. If you don't, they'll issue a citation.
Businesses such as restaurants, retirement homes, day-care centers and anywhere else that lots of people congregate are subject to especially close and frequent scrutiny by the fire department. Air and Water Pollution Control Permit Many cities now have departments that work to control air and water pollution.
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