Photography Business Permit Requirements in Green Bay, WI

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. Wisconsin Department of Revenue - Seller's Permit

   Required of every individual, partnership, corporation or other organization with a Wisconsin sales location making retail sales of taxable products or taxable services, with limited exceptions for wholesalers, manufacturers and certain marketplace sellers. The permit is issued through Business Tax Registration, which also covers withholding and use tax accounts. Rates: 5% state; seventy counties add 0.5%; Milwaukee County is 0.9% and the City of Milwaukee adds 2%, both effective January 1, 2024, so the rate inside Milwaukee is 7.9% - the only Wisconsin city with a municipal sales tax.

   Official government source

   $20 one-time Business Tax Registration fee, then $10 to renew every two years - it is not free. The $20 is the same regardless of how many locations need a seller's permit. DOR can additionally require a security deposit of up to $15,000 in some cases, returned after 24 consecutive months of compliance.·Register online through My Tax Account. DOR does not publish a guaranteed processing time - contact [email protected] or 608-266-2776 to check status.

   $20 one-time Business Tax Registration fee, then $10 to renew every two years - it is not free. The $20 is the same regardless of how many locations need a seller's permit. DOR can additionally require a security deposit of up to $15,000 in some cases, returned after 24 consecutive months of compliance.

   Register online through My Tax Account. DOR does not publish a guaranteed processing time - contact [email protected] or 608-266-2776 to check status.

1. City of Green Bay Office of the City Clerk — Business License

   Green Bay does not require a general/all-purpose business license. The City Clerk's office (Green Bay Municipal Code Ch. 10) licenses only specific regulated categories (e.g. Adult Entertainment, Alarm Business, Direct Seller/Solicitor, Entertainment Facility, Home-Based Businesses, Junk Collector, Massage Establishments, Mobile Food Vendor, Public Vehicle, Salvage, Secondhand Dealer, Tree & Brush Trimmer). Most business types listed here (barber shop, yoga studio, home bakery, daycare, handyman, cleaning service, photography, auto repair, electrical contractor, tutoring, nail salon, tattoo parlor, pet sitting, catering, personal trainer, hair salon, landscaping, plumbing) do NOT require a general city business license. Massage-therapy businesses need a specific Massage Establishment License, mobile-dog-grooming/pet-sitting need an Animal Establishment License, and food trucks need a Mobile Food Vendor License — each covered separately. Confirm with the City Clerk if unsure.

   Official government source

   no general license fee applies to most business types listed here·not applicable for most listed business types

   no general license fee applies to most business types listed here

   not applicable for most listed business types

2. City of Green Bay Special Event Permit (filming and photography in public spaces)

   Photography and filming in Green Bay public spaces goes through the City's Special Events program (Green Bay Municipal Code Ch. 10, Art. IX), which has a dedicated Filming/Photography in Public Spaces application. Brown County does not administer this for city parks and streets.

   Official government source

   $25.00 application fee for a small budget film/photography special event ($13.00 late application fee). Other tiers, per City of Green Bay Fee Schedule Sec. 10-428: simple neighborhood/non-profit event $25.00; small events $50.00 ($100.00 athletic); medium $175.00 ($200.00 athletic); large $275.00 ($300.00 athletic); special hazard event $500.00.·Not published as a fixed review period, but late application fees apply - file early and confirm the deadline with the City of Green Bay Special Events office.

   $25.00 application fee for a small budget film/photography special event ($13.00 late application fee). Other tiers, per City of Green Bay Fee Schedule Sec. 10-428: simple neighborhood/non-profit event $25.00; small events $50.00 ($100.00 athletic); medium $175.00 ($200.00 athletic); large $275.00 ($300.00 athletic); special hazard event $500.00.

   Not published as a fixed review period, but late application fees apply - file early and confirm the deadline with the City of Green Bay Special Events office.

Official Sources

• City of Green Bay Office of the City Clerk
• Wisconsin Department of Revenue — Seller's Permit

Related Guides