Question: What Kinds of Special Licenses or Permits Does My Business Need?

Every locality has different regulations for special business permits and licenses, but there are some common types of licenses or permits that many cities and towns require. Some are related to the type of business or types of products sold, while others are for one-time events that the locality wants to know about.

Answer:

Some of the most common types of business activities or types of businesses which require a special license or permit are:

• Ambulance Driver / Attendant / Attendant Driver
  
• Auctioneer
  
• Beer and/or liquor license
  
• Bowling alley
  
• Cigarette Sales
  
• Business close-out Sale
  
• Dance or dance hall
  
• Movie theater
  
• Pawnbroker
  
• Pool hall, pool table
  
• Pushcart/peddler/solicitor/transient merchant/mobile food unit
  
• Skating rink
  
• Special events
  
• Animal display permit application
  
• Taxicab/limousine/shuttle

The reason for some of these permits (liquor and cigarettes, for example) is obviously to regulate the sale of these items and restrict their sale to children (no cigarette machines in an elementary school, for example). Other restrictions, like that for business close-out sales, might not be so obvious, but cities often restrict close-out sales to no more than one in a certain time period, to keep retailers from advertising "going out of business" sales every other week.
For a complete list of licenses and permits in your location, go to the website of your city or town or call them (look in the phone book for their number).