Permits

Definition:

A legal document giving official permission to do something

Along with business licenses, you may need to obtain some of the following permits, depending on your business, to show compliance with local and state laws regulating structural appearances and safety as well as the sale of products:

The Seller’s Permit

Where and how do you get such a permit? Agencies issuing permits vary from state to state; generally the Equalization Board, the State Sales Tax Commission, or the Franchise Tax Board has this responsibility. Contact the entity that governs taxes in your state and apply for your resale tax or wholesale permit. You’ll have to provide documentation that proves you’re a retailer–make sure to ask what’s acceptable.

Health Department Permit

Fire Department Permits

Air and Water Pollution Control Permits

Environmental-protection regulations may require you to obtain approval before construction or operation. Check with your state agency regarding federal or state regulations that may apply to your business.

Sign Permits

See also “Business License.”

Related Content

Product Development

The overall process of strategy, organization, concept generation, product and marketing plan creation and evaluation, and commercialization of a new product

Exit Interview

The formal conversation that takes place between an employee and an HR or other manager to determine the reason(s) the employee is leaving

Primary Market Research

Iinformation that comes directly from the source--that is, potential customers. You can compile this information yourself or hire someone else to gather it for you via surveys, focus groups and other methods.

Credit Policy

Guidelines that spell out how to decide which customers are sold on open account, the exact payment terms, the limits set on outstanding balances and how to deal with delinquent accounts

Mergers

The combination of one or more corporations, LLCs, or other business entities into a single business entity; the joining of two or more companies to achieve greater efficiencies of scale and productivity

Subchapter S Corporation

A special form of corporation that allows the protection of limited liability but direct flow-through of profits and losses