Photography Business Permit Requirements in Providence, RI

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. Rhode Island Division of Taxation — Sales Tax Permit

   Required for all businesses selling tangible personal property or taxable services in Rhode Island. Rhode Island charges a 7% state sales tax with no local sales taxes. Register with the RI Division of Taxation online via the RI Tax Portal.

   Official government source

   Free·Immediate (online)

   Free

   Immediate (online)

1. No Providence General Business License

   Providence does not require a general business license or a fee based on gross revenue. The city's Board of Licenses issues licenses only for specific regulated activities - liquor, entertainment, food establishment, body works, second-hand dealer and second-hand auto, motor vehicle repair, vendor, private detective, pawnbroker, valet, trash hauling and similar. Photography, tutoring and wedding planning are not licensed categories. Check the Board's online licensing portal to see whether your specific activity appears on the list.

   Official government source

   Not applicable - no general Providence business license exists. Fees for the specific regulated categories are set per license type in the Board of Licenses portal.·Not applicable; applications for the specific licenses are scheduled for a hearing before the Board of License Commissioners.

   Not applicable - no general Providence business license exists. Fees for the specific regulated categories are set per license type in the Board of Licenses portal.

   Not applicable; applications for the specific licenses are scheduled for a hearing before the Board of License Commissioners.

2. City of Providence Parks - Photography and Park Use Permit

   Photographers shooting in Providence public parks need a permit from the City of Providence Parks Department; Rhode Island has no county parks department. Sessions at the Roger Williams Park Botanical Center are priced separately from other park locations, and larger shoots that draw a crowd fall under the Small Event or Special Event Permit tiers instead.

   Official government source

   Published photography rates: $300/hour for wedding and Sweet 15/16 shoots at the Botanical Center, $150/hour for maternity, engagement and family shoots there, and $100/hour at other park locations.·Not published; the city publishes annual blackout dates when permits are generally not approved.

   Published photography rates: $300/hour for wedding and Sweet 15/16 shoots at the Botanical Center, $150/hour for maternity, engagement and family shoots there, and $100/hour at other park locations.

   Not published; the city publishes annual blackout dates when permits are generally not approved.

Official Sources

• City of Providence Department of Finance — Revenue Division
• Rhode Island Division of Taxation — Sales Tax Permit

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