Understand Your Business License Requirements Before You Apply
Find the city, county, state, federal, tax, zoning, and industry checks that may apply before you open, sell, hire, move, or sign a lease.
- 51 state/DC guides
- 50 county guides
- 154 city guides
Find Your State, County, or City
Search listed county and city guides, or choose a state.
Not sure where to begin?
Choose the path that matches the question you are trying to answer.
Do I Even Need a License?
Work through the main location, activity, and business-type checks.
Complete Beginner Checklist
Check names, taxes, local licensing, zoning, permits, and renewals.
License vs. LLC vs. DBA
Understand what each filing does—and what it does not replace.
Build Your License Checklist
Turn your activity and location into city, county, state, and federal checks.
What kind of business are you starting?
Start with the guide closest to your activity, then confirm the rules for your exact address.
Start with your state guide
These guides explain the statewide layer. Your city, county, zoning, tax, and industry requirements may still be separate.
Browse all 51 state and DC guides
Popular county business license guides
County rules matter for unincorporated areas, DBAs, health permits, zoning, building, fire, and other local approvals. Start with your exact business address.
Popular city business license guides
Go straight to the local guide when your city is listed. Use the search above for every city in the directory.
Clear up the most common license questions
Official sources first. Plain-English next steps.
BLG helps you identify the offices and questions to check. We do not sell formation, filing, or licensing services, and we are not a government website.
Not legal advice. Licensing requirements, forms, fees, office names, and deadlines can change. Verify important details directly with the city, county, state, or federal agency before applying or spending money.