Permits and Licenses

Every city and town in the USA will most likely require you to get a license for your business. Check your state and local municipal websites or call your local licensing department to see what they'll require.

Some states require a state business license, others don't. In some states having the state license precludes you from needing a local license, in some states you need one or the other, in some states you need both. Some states and municipalities require additional licenses for one time events, others issue "mobile vendor" permits, others only require the state or local permits.

CONFUSED? ME TOO! This is one area where you need to do your homework. For the town where I am located, I need the local business license to conduct business on my spot-the state license isn't required. In neighboring communities, the state license is accepted in lieu of a local license provided I am in a properly zoned area. Other communities require the State License to obtain a local license! I get the state license anyway to avoid paying local fees in some communities and in case I book an event where a state license is required for local permitting, but I hold four local licenses as well!

The rule of thumb here is this: If a city, town or state can extract money from you for a permit, THEY MOST LIKELY WILL. Find out what licenses you'll need and get them. It's a pain in the neck, but if you don't, you won't be in business very long!