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the use of heavy machinery, cosmetic or wellness services, and
certain types of accountants or financial advisors, to have some
kind of license.
Some cities may require licenses for just about any type of
business, such as San Francisco’s requirement that all electronics
repair businesses have a special license since there are possible
safety hazards from incorrectly repaired electronics. Some busi-
nesses, like car washing and car repair, may require a business
license in some cities but not others.
If your business has a physical location or uses certain types
of supplies or machinery, there is a good chance you will also
need a permit. Different kinds of businesses may need to meet
different kinds of requirements for fire safety, safe disposal of
potentially hazardous waste, safe handling of potentially
hazardous chemicals, and more. Again, these requirements will
vary by state.
It is especially important to make sure that you know the
safety requirements for spaces in your industry before renting or
buying an office or retail space. Business owners can end up in a
tight spot if they buy or rent a retail space and then discover, for
example, that it does not meet the local fire safety regulations for
the type of products they plan to sell. These regulations can vary
by industry, so a food service business may need a space with
different fire safety ratings from a retail business.
The only way to know what kinds of licenses and permits
your business will need is to research your city and state’s
specific requirements. Be sure that you know this information
before you start selling goods or services, as the fines and penal-
ties for operating a business that requires a license without one
can be hefty.
This system may seem burdensome at times but try to have
patience with it. Remember: all these licenses and permits are
ultimately for the safety of customers, employees, and residents.
You wouldn’t want a business operating using toxic chemicals or
fire hazards near your home without a license proving that they
had met safety requirements, and you wouldn’t want to do busi-
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