Who
must license their Utah business?
By law, all businesses are required to be licensed
with the local municipality in which they are doing
business. General standards exists for licensure,
however each city might have unique requirements and
procedures. It is best to contact your city or county
office to know the exact standards that are set for
each license. You can find a your municipality's contact
information by using the links below. Additionally,
the State of Utah requires certain state-level licenses
and registrations depending the on the type of business
you are running.
 CLICK
THE LINKS TO YOUR CITY BELOW TO APPLY FOR A BUSINESS
LICENSE |
To do business in Utah you must do the following:
1. Register your business name and entity type (i.e.,
corporation, sole proprietorship, etc.). This you do
by filing with the Utah Department of Commerce, Division
of Corporations and Commercial Code.
2. Apply for a Sales & Use Tax License from the
Utah State Tax Commission (only if you will be selling
goods or products in the state).
3. Apply for an Employee Income Tax Withholding Number
from the Utah State Tax Commission (only if you will
have employees).
4. Apply for an Unemployment Insurance Employer Identification
Number from the Department of Workforce Services (only
if you will have employees).
5. Apply for a city business license from the city
your business is located in.
The state of Utah has “One Stop” online business
registration that guides you through the application
at https://secure.utah.gov/osbr-user/user/welcome.html,
however, it does not complete the city business license
process (as explained below).
What information do I need to register with
the State of Utah?
1. Business Name (this will either be a corporate
name or a "doing business as" name. Make
sure no one else has taken this name already).
2. Business Entity Type (corporation, partnership,
sole proprietor, etc.)
3. Business Activities (What type of business will
you be doing? Make sure you are allowed to do that
type of activity in that area. You'll need to look
into the zoning laws of your city)
4. Start Date (What date will you start business
and hire employees?)
5. Names, Addresses, Phone Numbers, Email Addresses,
Social Security Numbers, etc. for each of the owners.
6. Federal ID Number (If you are a corporation,
LLC, etc.)
What fees are required for a Utah business license?
The fees required to be paid to the State are in
addition to any fees that will be paid at the city
level. Each State agency requires a separate fee.
Using the One Stop registration, you'll pay filing
fees for the Utah Department of Commerce and the Division
of Corporations and Commercial Code, in addition to
other agencies that may regulate your business. The
fees typically range from $22.00 to $52.00 and can
be paid with a credit card.
Why do cities need to license Utah businesses?
Cities license businesses to make sure that:
* the location is properly zoned
* the building the business will be operating in is
within fire safety codes and standards
* all state and local codes are adhered to making
sure the safety and well-being of our citizens
* businesses are properly regulated
What do I need to apply for a city Utah business
license?
Typically, all commercial Utah business licenses must
be reviewed for zoning and building compliance and
fire safety codes.
If your business is regulated by the state or if
your business involves food preparation, you must
also be in good compliance with the appropriate state
agency and the Health Department.
This however, is what you most likely will need to
apply for a “General Utah Business License” for each city:
* completed city Corporate Application for a new business
and Regulatory License Form
* all necessary fees
* registration with the Utah State Department of Commerce
(business name, Corporation,
* LLC, partnership) at www.commerce.utah.gov/
* State Sales Tax number (if applicable)
* Federal tax ID number (if applicable)
Your application process will be smoother if you
bring all this information with you when you apply
for your Utah business license. The easiest way to apply
is by accessing the city's website where your businesses
activity is held. Most cities provide easy step by
step instructions and an online process so you don’t
have to go down in person. Although the State of Utah
online One Stop registration does collect some of
the information for the Utah business license, you
still need to complete the license application with
the city and pay the required city business
license fees.
How long does it take to receive a Utah business
license?
Most business licenses in the cities can be issued
within 30 days. You can contact the city or county
your businesses activity is in by calling or emailing
the appropriate department (i.e., building, zoning,
fire department, health department).
What is the fee for applying for a Utah business
license?
Each license varies depending on the location of
the business. For example, Salt Lake City has a non-refundable
fee of $75, while the fee in the City of St. George is $50. Certain
types of businesses may require additional fees.
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Disclaimer: This site is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial or tax advise. The information on this site should not be relied upon as an official source of information and should be independently verified. |
