Photography Business Permit Requirements in St. Louis, MO

Complete permit and license guide for starting a photography business in St. Louis, St. Louis City County, Missouri.

Updated 2026-03-14 4 stops $100–$400 est. 1–3 weeks to obtain all registrations
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Not legal advice. Requirements may change — always verify with your local government authority before applying. This guide was compiled from public and official sources (last updated ) and has not yet been independently source-verified — confirm each requirement before acting on it.

Federal — start here

1 stop

  1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

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

    Official government source

    FreeImmediate (online application)

State of Missouri

1 stop

  1. Missouri Department of Revenue — Sales Tax License

    Required for all businesses selling taxable goods in Missouri. The state rate is 4.225%; local rates vary by city and county. Register online with the Missouri Department of Revenue.

    Official government source

    FreeImmediate (online application)

City of St. Louis / St. Louis City County

2 stops

  1. City of St. Louis License Collector — Business License

    St. Louis City is an independent city (not part of St. Louis County) and requires a Business License from the License Collector's office. This license must be renewed annually and displayed at your place of business.

    Official government source

    $50–$500/year depending on business type and gross revenues1–3 weeks

  2. St. Louis City County / St. Louis Park or Special Event Permit

    Photographers shooting in public parks, on public property, or at permitted events in St. Louis may need a special use permit from the city or county parks department. Commercial shoots in public spaces almost always require a permit.

    Official government source

    $25–$200 per event/location1–3 weeks

Terminus

Open for business — est. $100–$400 · 1–3 weeks to obtain all registrations

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Official Sources

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