Photography Business Permit Requirements in Detroit, MI

1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

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

   Official government source

   Free·Immediate (online)

   Free

   Immediate (online)

1. MI Business Registration (LARA Corporations Division)

   Required by LARA's Corporations, Securities & Commercial Licensing Bureau for LLCs, corporations, and other formal business entities. An LLC files Articles of Organization (form CSCL/CD 700); a corporation files Articles of Incorporation (form CSCL/CD 500). Sole proprietors and general partnerships operating under a trade name instead file an assumed name certificate with the county clerk — the Wayne County Clerk for a Detroit business.

   Official government source

   $50 flat for LLC Articles of Organization (form CSCL/CD 700, rev. 07/25). A corporation pays $10 nonrefundable plus a share-based organization fee starting at $50 for 1-60,000 authorized shares (a $60 minimum), rising to $100 for 60,001-1,000,000 shares (form CSCL/CD 500, rev. 07/25). Wayne County assumed-name filing is $16.00 and separate. Filing fees are waived for qualifying veterans.·LARA publishes no standard processing time for formation filings; optional expedited service costs $50 for 24-hour handling of formation documents, $100 same-day, $500 two-hour, or $1,000 one-hour, in addition to the filing fee

   $50 flat for LLC Articles of Organization (form CSCL/CD 700, rev. 07/25). A corporation pays $10 nonrefundable plus a share-based organization fee starting at $50 for 1-60,000 authorized shares (a $60 minimum), rising to $100 for 60,001-1,000,000 shares (form CSCL/CD 500, rev. 07/25). Wayne County assumed-name filing is $16.00 and separate. Filing fees are waived for qualifying veterans.

   LARA publishes no standard processing time for formation filings; optional expedited service costs $50 for 24-hour handling of formation documents, $100 same-day, $500 two-hour, or $1,000 one-hour, in addition to the filing fee

2. MI Sales Tax License

   Required by the Michigan Department of Treasury if you sell physical prints or tangible photography products. Michigan sales tax of 6% applies to sales of tangible personal property including physical prints and albums.

   Official government source

   Free·1-2 weeks

   Free

   1-2 weeks

1. City of Detroit Business License (not required for photography)

   Detroit does not require a general business license for all commercial activity - BSEED states 'not all businesses need a license' and its published license categories (vendors, lodging, theaters/halls, amusement, consumer services, gas stations, parking, second-hand dealers, and similar) do not include photography. Standard state/county registrations (entity formation with LARA, assumed name if applicable) still apply.

   Official government source

   $0 - no Detroit business license applies to photography businesses·N/A

   $0 - no Detroit business license applies to photography businesses

   N/A

2. Detroit Film Office Location Permit

   Required for commercial photography shoots on public property, streets, parks, or city-owned spaces in Detroit. The Detroit Film Office (under the Mayor's Office) issues a no-fee general location permit for productions; additional city permits/fees may apply depending on project scope (e.g., street closures, parking). Submit the Location Use Form at least one month before filming, with proof of adequate insurance.

   Official government source

   No fee for the general location permit; additional permits/fees may apply depending on scope·Permit typically issued in 48-72 hours once submitted; Location Use Form required 1 month in advance

   No fee for the general location permit; additional permits/fees may apply depending on scope

   Permit typically issued in 48-72 hours once submitted; Location Use Form required 1 month in advance

Official Sources

• Detroit BSEED
• Detroit Film Office
• MI LARA - Corporations Division
• MI Department of Treasury

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