Photography Business Permit Requirements in Baton Rouge, LA

1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

   Required if you have employees or operate as an LLC or corporation. Free from the IRS.

   Official government source

   Free·Immediate (online application)

   Free

   Immediate (online application)

1. Louisiana Department of Revenue — Sales Tax Registration

   Required for all businesses selling taxable goods or services in Louisiana. The Louisiana state sales tax rate is 5%. Sellers must apply for a sales tax certificate with the Louisiana Department of Revenue. Louisiana also has parish- and municipal-level sales taxes collected separately by local collectors, so the combined rate varies by parish and you must register with each applicable local collector in addition to the state.

   Official government source

   No registration fee is published by the Louisiana Department of Revenue.·Not published by the Louisiana Department of Revenue; the '1-5 business days' figure has no official source.

   No registration fee is published by the Louisiana Department of Revenue.

   Not published by the Louisiana Department of Revenue; the '1-5 business days' figure has no official source.

1. City of Baton Rouge / Parish of East Baton Rouge Department of Finance — Business License

   All businesses in East Baton Rouge Parish must obtain an Occupational License from the Finance Department's Revenue Collection Division (225-389-3084), renewed annually and posted at the place of business. Some businesses additionally need approval from Permits & Inspections and/or the health authority, and a zoning clearance or Certificate of Occupancy carries a separate fee. Certain categories are exempt by ordinance (for example manufacturers except on retail sales, and several enumerated professions).

   Official government source

   A one-time registration fee of $50 if the business opens January 1–June 30 or $25 if it opens July 1–December 31. The annual tax is computed from gross receipts using the classification tables in the Occupational License Tax Ordinance and can exceed $500 for larger businesses — it is not a $50–$500 band.·Apply at least one month before opening. A temporary certificate is mailed after processing; after 30 days of operation you report gross receipts and the permanent license issues. Renewals are due January 1 and delinquent after March 1 (5% penalty per 30 days to a 25% maximum, plus 15% annual interest).

   A one-time registration fee of $50 if the business opens January 1–June 30 or $25 if it opens July 1–December 31. The annual tax is computed from gross receipts using the classification tables in the Occupational License Tax Ordinance and can exceed $500 for larger businesses — it is not a $50–$500 band.

   Apply at least one month before opening. A temporary certificate is mailed after processing; after 30 days of operation you report gross receipts and the permanent license issues. Renewals are due January 1 and delinquent after March 1 (5% penalty per 30 days to a 25% maximum, plus 15% annual interest).

2. East Baton Rouge Parish / Baton Rouge Park or Special Event Permit

   Photographers shooting commercially in Baton Rouge public parks need a written permit from BREC (the Recreation and Park Commission for East Baton Rouge Parish), issued by its Communications Department (225-272-9200 ext. 1439) — not by the Permits and Inspections Division, which handles building, zoning and trade permits. For shoots on city streets or other non-park public property, confirm the correct office with the Department of Public Works or the Mayor's Office.

   Official government source

   BREC issues a written permit for a $25 permit fee. Still photography is $25 per hour. Small videography (20 or fewer crew) is $50/hour with a $200 half-day and $400 full-day minimum; large videography (over 20 crew) is $100/hour with $400 half-day and $800 full-day minimums, and weekend minimums of $800 half-day and $1,600 full-day. A staff fee of $150 (half day) or $300 (full day) and parking/base camp charges of $200 or $400 may also apply.·Requests must be submitted in writing to the BREC Communications Department at least two weeks in advance, with specific locations, crew and equipment descriptions, activities, date, time and project length.

   BREC issues a written permit for a $25 permit fee. Still photography is $25 per hour. Small videography (20 or fewer crew) is $50/hour with a $200 half-day and $400 full-day minimum; large videography (over 20 crew) is $100/hour with $400 half-day and $800 full-day minimums, and weekend minimums of $800 half-day and $1,600 full-day. A staff fee of $150 (half day) or $300 (full day) and parking/base camp charges of $200 or $400 may also apply.

   Requests must be submitted in writing to the BREC Communications Department at least two weeks in advance, with specific locations, crew and equipment descriptions, activities, date, time and project length.

Official Sources

• City of Baton Rouge / Parish of East Baton Rouge Department of Finance
• Louisiana Department of Revenue — Sales Tax Registration

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