StartPermit Blog

Guides for starting your business right

Plain-English answers to the permit and licensing questions that trip up small business owners — so you can open your doors faster and stay compliant longer.

Vending Machine Business

How to Start a Vending Machine Business: Licenses, Permits, and Location Agreements (2026 Guide)

Starting a vending machine business requires a business license, a seller's permit to collect sales tax, and a signed location agreement for every machine placement. ADA compliance requirements, food handler permits for food machines, and FDA calorie labeling rules for operators with 20+ machines add layers most operators don't discover until they're already in violation. This guide covers every requirement.

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Pet Sitting Business

How to Start a Pet Sitting Business: Licenses, Insurance, and State Requirements (2026 Guide)

Starting a pet sitting business requires a business license and care/custody/control (CCC) insurance — the coverage that standard general liability policies explicitly exclude. Home boarding triggers additional kennel licensing requirements in most states, and zoning laws prohibit commercial animal boarding in many residential zones. This guide covers every requirement before you take your first client.

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Bookkeeping Business

How to Start a Bookkeeping Business: Licenses, Credentials, and Compliance (2026 Guide)

Starting a bookkeeping business has no state licensing requirement — but there are strict limits on what non-CPA bookkeepers can legally do, a federal PTIN is required for tax preparation, and the FTC Safeguards Rule may mandate a written data security program. This guide covers scope of practice, credentials that command higher rates, and data security obligations from day one.

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Dropshipping

How to Start a Dropshipping Business: Licenses, Taxes, and Legal Requirements (2026 Guide)

Starting a dropshipping business requires a business license, a seller's permit to collect sales tax, and an EIN. You don't need inventory — but you do have real tax obligations in every state where you sell, including economic nexus rules that kick in at $100K in sales. This guide covers every requirement, from entity formation to multi-state sales tax to product-specific federal compliance.

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Commercial Cleaning

How to Start a Commercial Cleaning Service: Licenses, Bonds, and Janitorial Contracts (2026 Guide)

Starting a commercial cleaning service requires a business license, general liability insurance, and a janitorial surety bond — required by commercial clients before they'll sign a contract. This guide covers OSHA chemical compliance, California's mandatory janitorial registration, sales tax rules in 20+ states, and every contract provision that protects your business.

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LLC Formation

How to Start an LLC: Step-by-Step Formation Guide (2026)

Forming an LLC requires filing Articles of Organization with your state ($40–$500), appointing a registered agent, creating an operating agreement, and getting an EIN from the IRS. This guide covers the exact steps, costs by state, and the post-formation filings most new owners miss — including the BOI report that new LLCs must file with FinCEN within 90 days.

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Handyman Business

How to Start a Handyman Business: Licenses, Permits, and Insurance (2026 Guide)

A handyman needs a business license in every state — but whether a contractor's license is also required depends on what you do and how much each job costs. This guide covers the state-by-state handyman exemption thresholds ($500–$2,500), what regulated trades you can't touch without specialty licenses, and the insurance every handyman needs from day one.

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Browse permits by business type or location

These guides give you the overview. For city-specific requirements — exact fees, agencies, and application links — use our permit database.

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