Business license per city?

I'm sure this has been asked before and I have searched, but not really any good results...

I am looking to obtain a business license. In Washington there are several towns/cities that say you need to have a license for their city if conducting any kind of business or service in their area.

I will be getting one for my home location, but should I really get one for every single city around me that I will be shooting in? Seems a bit much to have to obtain so many business licensees to take pictures in their city.

I will be conducting all sales from home and simply just taking the pictures within their city limits.

What would you guys do?

Thank you!

There should be an information number you can call for your state that would help.

But in my case, if I were only selling from one location, then that's all I would get a license for. The problem comes when you try to define your business parameters in a way that your state doesn't approve of. For example, if you go to people's homes to shoot portraits, then sell them those portraits from your own home, they may see that as an issue.

Just taking pictures couldn't really be construed as "doing business" in a location all by itself, but it may end up that way if your clients are involved.

Technically, you'll need a wall full of licenses and give all your money to a bunch of cities and spend all your time complying with every BS regulation they can dream up. In reality, you'll probably never get caught even if you don't have a license.

I asked a similar question a few years ago to my tax department. They told me it was determined by the point of sale. If POS is always at your home, that's the only place you'll need a license.
Of course, your local laws may vary.

Ratjack wrote in post #15655090
I'm sure this has been asked before and I have searched, but not really any good results...

I am looking to obtain a business license. In Washington there are several towns/cities that say you need to have a license for their city if conducting any kind of business or service in their area.

I will be getting one for my home location, but should I really get one for every single city around me that I will be shooting in? Seems a bit much to have to obtain so many business licensees to take pictures in their city.

I will be conducting all sales from home and simply just taking the pictures within their city limits.

What would you guys do?

Thank you!

States differ, so rather than ask a bunch of photographers all around the world what they do, ask a local businessperson in your town what he does. You might not even have to ask--just drop by their shops and look on the walls for their business licenses. A lot of small businesspeople work outside their shop--plumbers, electricians, et cetera.

I strongly suspect you only need one license for your primary business location--which in your case is your home.

Ratjack wrote in post #15655090
I am looking to obtain a business license. In Washington there are several towns/cities that say you need to have a license for their city if conducting any kind of business or service in their area.

I will be getting one for my home location, but should I really get one for every single city around me that I will be shooting in?

What would you guys do?

Thank you!

Contact the department that issues business licenses for the county you live in and ask them, down here in South Florida a business is required to have a county occupational license and if located within a city a city occupational license as well. They should be able to advise you what other counties that you may work in will require occupational licenses in addition to your primary business location.

Do note down here and in many other locations when it comes to a business like photography, where clients would be photographed at your location, you will not be allowed to work out of your home, this is due to traffic and parking restrictions within residential locations.

Also keep in mind pulling an occupational license may open a new can of worms such as fire and building inspections, zoning approval, landscaping and signage all of which must pass muster before the license will be granted.

Wayne

Wayne is spot on. I just went through this myself when I moved. I was previously set up working out of my own house not within city limits. No issues and really no restrictions on home use with clients. I never had clients over so it wasn't an issue anyways. 6 months ago, I sold my house and moved to a different county within city limits. I am renting for now. I had to get written permission from the landlord to operate a home based business for the county and another for the city. My landlord is a pain in the ass so it took a lot of convincing. The city wouldn't accept the county's permit as permission to operate either. Big mess.

I can see why so many don't bother with permits because the city makes it a big pain to get it done correctly. I do a lot of freelance work and that officially makes me a business by itself. Independent contracting work needs that permit according to the city.

For other cities, I was told that if you do regular business within that city, you need the permit. If it is just every once and awhile, then no. When I asked, they hinted that it was up to me to make that determination. In other words, dont bother unless you are there everyday working.

cory1848 wrote in post #15660759
I can see why so many don't bother with permits because the city makes it a big pain to get it done correctly. I do a lot of freelance work and that officially makes me a business by itself. Independent contracting work needs that permit according to the city.

Might I suggest if anyone who is working as a contractor, stringer or freelancer and the municipal authorities are breaking your nuts consider using a UPS store as a dropbox for your business license, another option is to work out a dropbox with one of the companies you contract for.

I have a couple of home based guys I work with who cannot get licensing at their homes because of zoning restrictions, the problem was solved by letting them use my business address.

Wayne

Channel One wrote in post #15661473
Might I suggest if anyone who is working as a contractor, stringer or freelancer and the municipal authorities are breaking your nuts consider using a UPS store as a dropbox for your business license, another option is to work out a dropbox with one of the companies you contract for.

I have a couple of home based guys I work with who cannot get licensing at their homes because of zoning restrictions, the problem was solved by letting them use my business address.

Wayne

UPS stores are not allowed to be used for license hanging here. I checked into that. That is a county by county thing as well.

cory1848 wrote in post #15661485
UPS stores are not allowed to be used for license hanging here. I checked into that. That is a county by county thing as well.

Thats good to know, here the local UPS store actually promotes the idea of using their address (and PO BOX) as a way around licensing problems for home based business', of course they require a $199 per year fee for the service, but to some, not having to rent a commercial location I am sure it is a bargin.

Wayne

Channel One wrote in post #15661473
Might I suggest if anyone who is working as a contractor, stringer or freelancer and the municipal authorities are breaking your nuts consider using a UPS store as a dropbox for your business license, another option is to work out a dropbox with one of the companies you contract for.

I have a couple of home based guys I work with who cannot get licensing at their homes because of zoning restrictions, the problem was solved by letting them use my business address.

Wayne

In LA CA the city clerk refused to accept my mail stop address, I had to lie and tell them I was homeless working from Starbucks to get them to accept the address.
I agree building up the business best you can before stepping into a city or country office. Regulations can be a pain.
cheers
Darrin

proimages wrote in post #15661521
I agree building up the business best you can before stepping into a city or country office. Regulations can be a pain.
cheers
Darrin

That's the problem though, technically one is supposed get the permits before doing any commercial work or operating as a business.

It all depends on where you live. Contact a lawyer in your area that works with small biz to figure it out.

I have had this question myself. This issue can be way overly complicated.

Ratjack wrote in post #15655090
What would you guys do?

Simple, contact your attorney or CPA for business advice. Asking the internet is not how you go about getting valid business advice to limit your liability.