What business licenses and permits are required to operate in Florida?
Businesses in Florida can expect licensing obligations at the local, state, and sometimes federal levels. In addition to any state-required occupational licenses, most cities and counties in Florida require a basic business license for doing business within their jurisdiction. This license is often referred to as a business tax registration or receipt. Some cities, such as Miami and Orlando, require business tax registrations from both the county and the city.
Here are examples of business licenses, permits, and registrations you may need in Florida.
- Florida Business Tax Receipt (Basic Business License): Local municipalities in Florida may require a business tax receipt, also known as a basic business license, for the privilege of conducting business in that jurisdiction. This license may be referred to by different names, such as business tax receipt, business privilege license, or general business license. Businesses in certain jurisdictions (such as Orlando and Miami) may need to obtain this license at both the city and county levels.
- Florida state industry licenses: A professional or occupational license or registration issued by a state agency may be required to operate a business in Florida. These requirements may apply to a business, an individual, or both. Examples of businesses in Florida that require a state license include professional services, restaurants, and contractors. The two main licensing agencies for skilled trades are the Department of Business & Professional Regulation (DBPR) and the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (DACS).
- Special Florida state permits: The sale of products such as alcohol and tobacco requires special state-issued permits and licenses.
- Federal tax ID: Also called an EIN, a federal tax ID is issued by the IRS and is included on federal tax returns filed for your business. It is also a requirement for filing payroll taxes.
- Florida Department of Revenue registration: A business must register with the Florida Department of Revenue before conducting business activities that are subject to state taxes and fees. Employers must also report new hires, terminations, and separations to the Department.
- Other local licenses and permits: Cities and counties may impose additional licensing and registration requirements on businesses, such as a certificate of occupancy, a certificate of use, and permits from various departments, including zoning, health, and others.
- DBA registration: If you operate your business under a name other than its legal name, you may need to file a DBA Certificate (also called a Certificate of Assumed Name) with the clerk of each county in which the business is conducted.
- Federal licenses and registrations: Federal licenses are typically required for businesses regulated by a federal agency, such as the Securities and Exchange Commission, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms. For example, food businesses that buy or sell more than 2,000 pounds of fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables must obtain a USDA-issued PACA license.
