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Law Requirements for Small Businesses |
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 Small Businesses
Permits?
Permits are one of those sticky subjects that can get a lot of people get riled up. Permits are the local government’s way of keeping track of your business, its operations and your ability to follow various codes. These codes are often referred to as ordinances and they do not just apply to businesses. They cover the health, safety and appearance statutes for the entire area. If your business complies with these ordinances, you will be able to obtain a permit and your business can open without difficulty.
While this sounds easy enough, it can be difficult if you have no idea what sorts of permits your jurisdiction requires. You will need to research the sorts of permits your business needs. Once you find a listing, you can go about checking to see if your business complies. If not, fix the areas that do not match up. If you’re all set, get the forms, fill them out, pay any fees and you’re ready to be open for business!
Here are a few types of permits you may need to look into:
- Health
- Zoning
- Sellers
- Building
Tips For Finding The Licenses and Permits You Need
It can be a daunting task trying to find all of the licenses and permits – federal, state and local – that you may need before you can even open the doors of your business to the public. However, with a bit of steering in the right direction, you’ll be off and running before you know it.
Try Your Library
Your local library is a great resource. It may seem obvious, but you wouldn’t believe how many people forgo the library in their research plans. The next time you’re at the library, search for a listing of licenses your state requires of businesses like yours as well as permits your city or county may require. This information should be accessible in those big books no one can check out. You know the ones that are heavy and dusty? They’re big for a reason – they have a lot of information. Use them.
Contact Your Local Government
Whether it is the county offices or the city hall, getting in contact with an actual person locally can help you get on the right track to licensing your business properly. They should be able to put you in touch with the appropriate state or local agency that regulates the areas you need permitted. With the right people to contact, you can then get the right forms and get started sooner than you would without the point in the right direction.
In some cases, you may need to complete an on-site inspection before being approved. If this is the case, you will schedule a time for an inspection with the appropriate agency, they’ll come out to your location and then make a decision based on what they see.
Even though you may purchase a turnkey business that has received all of these permits and licenses before, it is vital that you make sure all information is up-to-date and that your name is transferred onto everything. No matter how easy it is to start up your business, the legal aspects will always complicate things. As long as you know this in advance, you’re golden!
Navigating Laws, Regulations and Permits
One thing about being the boss? The buck stops with you - you're in charge! While this has a lot of benefits, from being able to set your own schedule to finally earning what you're worth, it also means more responsibility for areas you might not be familiar with.
Even if you're assuming ownership of an existing business, you'll want to be familiar with EINs, sole proprietorships, special licensing for federally-regulated usinesses, and certification for operators of specialized businesses.
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