Find every permit your business needs

City, county, state, and federal requirements in plain English — for food trucks, salons, daycares, and 30 other business types. Free to browse, cited to official sources.

4,059 free permit guides 50 states 9,607 official sources cited

How it works

Step 1

Tell us what you’re starting

Pick your business type and city to browse a free guide — or answer a few questions to get a report personalized to your business.

Step 2

Get the cited checklist

Every requirement at the city, county, state, and federal level — with fees, processing timelines, and links to official government sources.

Step 3

File with confidence

Work through the list in order and apply directly with each agency. You always deal with the government yourself — no middleman fees.

The StartPermit Report

One checklist. Every permit. $14.99, once.

Skip 20–40 hours of piecing together .gov websites. Answer a few questions and get a report personalized to your business type, city, and business structure.

  • Every permit, license, and registration — city, county, state, and federal
  • Fees and processing timelines for each requirement
  • The order to file them in
  • Direct links to the official applications
  • Emailed to you and saved to a permanent link
Get my report — $14.99

One-time purchase — not a subscription · Ready in about 60 seconds · Secure checkout via Stripe

Example excerpt

Food Truck · Austin, TX Verified February 2026

  • Mobile Food Vendor Permit (Unrestricted) $370/year City
  • Mobile Food Vendor Permit (Restricted) $370/year City
  • Fire Department Inspection No separate fee City
  • Texas Sales Tax Permit Free State
  • Certified Food Manager Certification $80-$150 State
  • EIN (Employer Identification Number) Free Federal
9 requirements · est. $500–$1,200 in fees · 2-6 weeks overall

Drawn from our published research for a food truck in Austin, TX (read the free guide). Your report is generated for your business and city.

Frequently asked questions

What is the StartPermit Report?

A personalized permit checklist for your specific business — your business type, your city, and your business structure. It lists every permit, license, and registration we identify, with fees, processing timelines, the order to file them in, and links to the official applications. It costs $14.99, once.

How is it different from the free guides?

The 4,059 free guides on this site cover a business type in a city in general terms, and they'll stay free. The report is generated from your answers — including your business structure — and assembled into a single checklist in filing order.

Is this legal advice?

No. StartPermit is an informational service. We compile requirements from official government sources and cite them, but we are not a law firm and the report is not legal advice. Always confirm requirements with the issuing agency before you file.

Is it a subscription? Will you charge me again?

No. The report is a one-time $14.99 purchase — there are no recurring charges. It's a snapshot of requirements at the time you buy it; we don't monitor changes or track renewals for you.

What if my report isn't delivered?

If we fail to generate your report after payment, you get a full refund — without having to ask.

About our data

All permit requirements are researched from official government sources — city health departments, state licensing boards, and municipal websites — with 9,607 source citations across 4,059 guides. We verify and update data regularly. Always confirm requirements directly with your local authority before applying.

Not affiliated with any government agency. Not legal advice.