UT Business License Basics
If you own a business in Utah you'll need a license to operate. There are various types of Utah business licenses and permits that are required by various government entities at federal, state and local levels. An operating license is the basic type of business license that most all businesses will be expected to have.
Each level of government has specific regulations and requirements that must be met before a business can get a license. If you don’t know the licensing rules in Utah and follow them it could lead to expensive fines and putting your business at risk.
Types of Business Licenses in Utah
Federal Business Licenses – The federal government has a number of agencies that regulate and supervise business activities. If your business participates in one of these federally regulated activities you will have to get a federal business license.
Activities that'll be required to get a federal business license include:
- Alcohol manufacturing, importing and sales
- Agriculture
- Firearm dealing, importing and manufacturing
- Ammunition and Explosives dealing, importing and manufacturing
- Aviation
- Wildlife related activities
- Mining
- Drilling
- Commercial fishing
- TV and radio broadcasting
- Trucking
State Business Licenses – Nearly all Utah businesses will need to obtain some type of state business license to be able to legally operate. At the minimum a business should get a professional or occupational license. Utah business licenses are typically used for tax purposes.
Local Business Licenses – Local Utah governments and municipalities also grant business licenses. All businesses will be required to get some sort of local business license in order to operate in Utah.
Permits – Permits are more specific to a certain type of business within an industry. Permits have a wide selection of purposes from parking to product sales.
How to Get a Utah Business License
The steps you have got to take to obtain a business license in Utah will vary depending on what sort of business license you need to get. It doesn't matter what type of license you are hoping to get you will have to fill out application form(s) and supply detailed information about your business.
If you are starting a business or expanding your business you will have numerous forms to fill out. Be ready to supply your Employer Identification Number (EIN).
The SBA (Small Business Administration) has great online tools for helping business owners figure out exactly what type of Utah business licenses they should get, links to websites, applications and instructions. If you’re just starting a business and need assistance with licensing, the SBA is the perfect place to get more info.
Maintaining Your Utah Business License
Once you get your Utah business licenses and permits you must still maintain them yearly to keep them up to date. The guidelines below are recommended if you want to ensure your business license is in good standing.
- Make copies of your business licenses and permits.
- Monitor when licenses and permits must be renewed.
- Follow the regulations for displaying your business license.
- If you would like to change or expand your business be sure to verify whether you need additional permits or business licenses.