Mobile Car Wash Permit Requirements in Hattiesburg, MS

1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

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

   Official government source

   Free·Immediate (online application)

   Free

   Immediate (online application)

2. EPA Stormwater Compliance — Clean Water Act Section 402

   Mobile car wash operations that discharge wash water are subject to the federal Clean Water Act. The EPA's National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) prohibits discharge of polluted wash water to storm drains or waterways without a permit. Most mobile operators achieve compliance by using containment systems and disposing of water via sanitary sewer. Larger operations (e.g., fleet washing facilities) may require an NPDES permit.

   Official government source

   Free (containment equipment: $200–$1,500)·Before first wash

   Free (containment equipment: $200–$1,500)

   Before first wash

1. Mississippi Business Registration (Secretary of State)

   Mobile car wash and auto detailing businesses operating in Mississippi as an LLC, corporation, or limited partnership must register with the Mississippi Secretary of State. Sole proprietors using a trade name file a Fictitious Business Name Registration with the Secretary of State (Mississippi has no county-level DBA registry). An LLC is commonly chosen to protect personal assets, since mobile operations work on customers' property.

   Official government source

   $50 (Certificate of Formation of a Mississippi LLC; also $50 for a Mississippi LP certificate); $25 (Fictitious Business Name Registration), per the Secretary of State's official Services & Fees schedule.·Not published by the Secretary of State; filings are submitted online through the business services portal — confirm current processing times with Business Services (601-359-1633).

   $50 (Certificate of Formation of a Mississippi LLC; also $50 for a Mississippi LP certificate); $25 (Fictitious Business Name Registration), per the Secretary of State's official Services & Fees schedule.

   Not published by the Secretary of State; filings are submitted online through the business services portal — confirm current processing times with Business Services (601-359-1633).

2. Mississippi Stormwater and Wash Water Discharge Compliance

   Mobile car wash wastewater carries detergents, surfactants, oils, and road grime. Mississippi rules, consistent with the federal Clean Water Act, prohibit discharging it to storm drains, street gutters, or waterways. Operators must contain the wash water with a berm or mat and recover it with a wet/dry vacuum or pump, or direct it to a sanitary sewer inlet with the utility's permission. There is no registration or permit to apply for - MDEQ enforces the prohibition. Using hazardous solvents or degreasers brings additional storage and disposal duties; contact MDEQ for guidance.

   Official government source

   No fee - there is no permit or registration for routine mobile car washing.·Not applicable - no application is filed; containment and disposal practices must be in place before you operate.

   No fee - there is no permit or registration for routine mobile car washing.

   Not applicable - no application is filed; containment and disposal practices must be in place before you operate.

3. Mississippi Department of Revenue - Sales Tax Permit (car wash and detailing)

   Car washing - automatic, self-service, or manual - is expressly taxable under Miss. Code Ann. Section 27-65-23 at 7% of gross income, so a car wash or auto detailing business must register with the Mississippi Department of Revenue for a sales tax permit, collect the tax from customers, keep records of all transactions, and remit on the schedule the Department assigns.

   Official government source

   No fee - the Mississippi Department of Revenue does not charge for a sales tax permit.·Register online through TAP; allow about two weeks to receive your permit and filing information by mail.

   No fee - the Mississippi Department of Revenue does not charge for a sales tax permit.

   Register online through TAP; allow about two weeks to receive your permit and filing information by mail.

1. City of Hattiesburg City Clerk/Tax Division - Privilege Tax License

   A mobile car wash or auto detailing business operating in Hattiesburg must hold a Privilege Tax License from the City Clerk/Tax Division. One city license covers mobile operations travelling to customers throughout the city. The application asks for your business entity information, contact details, and the number of employees and/or wholesale value of inventory. Renewed annually.

   Official government source

   Set under Mississippi's privilege tax schedule from the number of employees and/or wholesale value of inventory; Hattiesburg does not publish a fee table - the Tax Division quotes the amount at application (601-545-4523).·Not published by the City; applications are filed in person with the City Clerk/Tax Division on the 2nd floor of City Hall, 200 Forrest Street (601-545-4523).

   Set under Mississippi's privilege tax schedule from the number of employees and/or wholesale value of inventory; Hattiesburg does not publish a fee table - the Tax Division quotes the amount at application (601-545-4523).

   Not published by the City; applications are filed in person with the City Clerk/Tax Division on the 2nd floor of City Hall, 200 Forrest Street (601-545-4523).

2. Hattiesburg Stormwater / Wash Water Discharge Compliance

   Hattiesburg prohibits discharging mobile car wash wastewater into storm drains, gutters, or waterways, in line with Mississippi and federal Clean Water Act rules, because it carries detergents, oils, and road grime. Operators must contain runoff with a portable berm or mat, recover the wash water with a wet/dry vacuum or pump, and dispose of it at an approved sanitary sewer access point or licensed disposal facility. City Public Works staff may inspect, and violations can bring fines. There is no registration or permit to apply for.

   Official government source

   No fee - Hattiesburg has no registration, permit, or inspection charge for this; the requirement is a prohibition, not an application.·Not applicable - no application is filed; containment and disposal practices must be in place before you operate.

   No fee - Hattiesburg has no registration, permit, or inspection charge for this; the requirement is a prohibition, not an application.

   Not applicable - no application is filed; containment and disposal practices must be in place before you operate.

3. Chemical Handling and Disposal Compliance (no county registration)

   Forrest County does not operate a chemical-use registration program for mobile detailing. Operators using degreasers, solvents, or other cleaning chemicals must still keep a Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for each product, store chemicals safely, and dispose of wash water and chemical waste properly rather than into storm drains or gutters, which Mississippi environmental rules prohibit. Any local requirement for your address can be confirmed with the Forrest County Board of Supervisors.

   Official government source

   No fee - there is no county chemical-use registration to apply for.·Not applicable - no application is filed.

   No fee - there is no county chemical-use registration to apply for.

   Not applicable - no application is filed.

4. City of Hattiesburg - Home Occupation Zoning Approval

   Storing a mobile car wash vehicle, equipment, and supplies at a Hattiesburg residence is treated as a home occupation under the City's land development code, which typically bars employee meetings at the residence, exterior signage, and bulk chemical storage. The Planning Division confirms whether your address and activity qualify and whether a zoning application is needed. The city Privilege Tax License is still required.

   Official government source

   Hattiesburg does not publish a home occupation fee; the Planning Division quotes any applicable charge when it reviews your address (601-545-4599).·Not published by the City; a pre-application meeting with Planning staff is required before any formal zoning application (601-545-4599).

   Hattiesburg does not publish a home occupation fee; the Planning Division quotes any applicable charge when it reviews your address (601-545-4599).

   Not published by the City; a pre-application meeting with Planning staff is required before any formal zoning application (601-545-4599).

Official Sources

• Hattiesburg Business Licensing
• Mississippi Environmental Quality — Water Programs
• EPA NPDES — Stormwater Discharges
• IRS EIN Application

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