Key Takeaways

  • Forming an LLC in Florida does not replace the need for business licenses or permits.
  • An "LLC license Florida" refers to the business licenses and local registrations an LLC needs to legally operate in the state.
  • Florida LLCs must register with the state and may also need county or city business tax receipts.
  • Common licenses for Florida businesses include a sales tax permit, local business tax receipt, and professional licenses for regulated industries.
  • The costs of forming and operating an LLC in Florida include state filing fees, annual reports, and potential registered agent fees.
  • Home-based and online businesses in Florida are often subject to zoning restrictions and may still require local permits.

LLC business license requirements vary according to the industry and location of the business. The services and products a business sells may affect the number and type of business licenses required. Depending on where the company is located, the local and state government may have permits and licenses the business has to obtain in order to operate.

What Is a Business License?

For many governments across the local, state, and county level, it is necessary to have certain licenses or permits before you begin business. Filing jurisdictions all over the country — which total more than 150,000 — all have their own individual requirements. There are a wide number of permits and licenses that could apply to your business contingent on where the business operates. 

The following are some of the most common permits and licenses that may be required of your corporation:

  • Tax registration
  • Liquor license
  • Health permit
  • Occupational license issued by the state
  • Lottery license
  • Land use and zoning permit
  • Health department permit
  • Reseller's license
  • General business license

Governments on the local, county, and state level all require a business license; this is a registration or permit necessary to conduct business. It is best for business owners to research all possible requirements when it comes to licensing and take their industry and location into consideration. Businesses that operate without the required permits and licenses could find themselves faced with notices, penalties, or even measures that prevent the business from operating any further. 

Corporations should comply with the requirements the government has put in place in order to run their business properly and legally. Regarding licensing, it may be requested for a business to register with the state, county, and city in order to meet requirements.

Is an LLC a Business License? Understanding the Difference

A common misconception among new business owners is that forming an LLC automatically grants the permissions needed to operate a business. However, an LLC, or Limited Liability Company, is a type of legal business structure that offers liability protection for its owners (called members) and helps separate personal and business assets. It is not a business license.

A business license, on the other hand, is a government-issued permit that authorizes a company to conduct business within a specific jurisdiction. Licenses are often required at the federal, state, county, and local levels, depending on the business activities, industry, and location.

In summary:

  • LLC: Legal entity that provides liability protection and governs ownership structure.
  • Business License: Permit granting the right to operate a business legally in a specific area.

Many businesses require both an LLC and one or more licenses or permits to comply with legal regulations.

What an LLC License Means in Florida

When people refer to an "LLC license Florida," they are typically talking about the combination of two things: the registration of the LLC with the state and the required licenses or permits that authorize the business to operate legally within a specific location or industry.

Forming an LLC in Florida involves registering your Articles of Organization with the Florida Division of Corporations. However, this process only creates your legal business entity. To legally operate your business in most Florida jurisdictions, you must also apply for applicable business licenses, such as:

  • A Business Tax Receipt (formerly known as an Occupational License) from the city or county where your business is located.
  • A Florida Sales Tax Permit if your business sells taxable goods or services.
  • Industry-specific licenses regulated by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) or other state agencies.

So, while there’s no such thing as a single “LLC license Florida,” a legally compliant LLC will have both its entity registration and all required licenses and permits for its operations.

What Type of Licenses Would I Need for a Retail Business?

You're required to pay local and state sales tax if you sell any services or goods. Nearly all states require you to have a license of some kind — specifically a sales tax permit, among other permits. In Broward County Florida, you will need a Florida business license. In the event that you have a company that buys cars and transports them, it's likely you'll also need the following:

  • Application for a License as a Motor Vehicle, Mobile Home, or Recreational Dealer
  • Tax Application for the Certificate of Use
  • Application to Collect And/Or Report Tax
  • Local Business and Tax Registration
  • Motor Vehicle Dealer Surety Bond Form

In a number of states, it is required for sole proprietors, partnerships, corporations, and LLCs that sell taxable services and goods to have a seller's permit. The name of the permit may vary. Companies that sell taxable goods must have a sales tax license to sell those goods.

Do You Need a Business License Before or After Forming an LLC?

In most cases, you should form your LLC before applying for business licenses. This order matters because many licensing agencies require your business's legal name and Employer Identification Number (EIN), both of which are obtained during the LLC formation process.

Steps to Consider:

  1. Form Your LLC: Choose a business name, file Articles of Organization, and obtain an EIN.
  2. Identify Licensing Requirements: Research your specific industry and local jurisdiction for applicable licenses and permits.
  3. Apply for Licenses: Use your LLC's legal name and EIN when completing license applications.

Note that certain industries, like construction or childcare, may require licensing approvals before any business activity can begin. Always confirm requirements with your local government agencies.

Florida-Specific Requirements for LLC Licensing

In Florida, your LLC must be registered with the Division of Corporations before you apply for most business licenses. However, to legally operate, Florida LLCs typically need to fulfill additional licensing steps, which may include:

  • Registering for a Florida Business Tax Receipt with the county tax collector. This is required even for home-based businesses.
  • Obtaining a sales and use tax number from the Florida Department of Revenue if you sell taxable goods or services.
  • Applying for professional licenses through state agencies such as the DBPR or Florida Department of Health, depending on your profession (e.g., cosmetology, real estate, healthcare).
  • Checking local zoning compliance, especially for brick-and-mortar or home-based businesses.

Licensing requirements can vary by city and county. For example, Miami-Dade, Broward, and Orange counties all have different processes and fees for obtaining a local business license.

What Type of License or Permit Would I Need for My Home-Based Business?

Usually, a business will need a local permit as opposed to a license granted by the state or federal government. The location of a small business largely determines the rules it will be governed by. In some areas, installing a sign on the outside of your home is subject to local regulations on signage. A home occupation permit may be required in some areas in order to operate a home-based business, per local zoning laws.

If you have an internet product business located in El Dorado County, California, you'll need to acquire the following:

  • Business License Application
  • Business License Fee Document
  • Home Occupation Application
  • California Seller's Permit Application

However, it's important to know that not all businesses based at home will need a license. Your eBay retail arbitration business is not going to need a business license, nor is a business based entirely on the web going to need a license for the business. If you have a daycare center for children in your home, you will need a business license in addition to other government-issued licenses. The regulations of HOA bylaws would affect a home-based business in areas where there is a homeowner's association.

Home-Based Business Licensing in Florida

Running a home-based LLC in Florida still requires compliance with local regulations. Most counties in Florida require home-based businesses to:

  • Obtain a Home Occupation Permit to ensure zoning laws allow business activity at the residence.
  • Apply for a Local Business Tax Receipt, even if the business does not serve customers on-site.
  • Check HOA rules and neighborhood covenants that may restrict certain business activities.
  • Follow signage and parking restrictions, especially in residential zones.

Even if your business is entirely online, Florida may still require you to register for sales tax collection if you sell taxable goods.

Do All LLCs Need a Business License?

Not all LLCs automatically need a business license, but many will, depending on the following factors:

  • Location: Some cities or counties require a general business license for all entities operating within their jurisdiction.
  • Industry Type: Specific industries like food service, childcare, automotive repair, and construction often require specialized permits.
  • Business Activities: Selling goods, providing services, hiring employees, or storing hazardous materials can trigger additional licensing requirements.

Even businesses operating exclusively online may require sales tax permits, depending on the state.

The best practice is to check with:

  • Your local city hall or county clerk’s office
  • Your state’s business licensing department
  • The Small Business Administration (SBA) for federal licenses and permits

Operating without the proper license can result in penalties, fines, or forced closure of your business.

Florida Annual Reporting and Compliance Costs

Florida LLCs are required to file an annual report with the Florida Division of Corporations to maintain active status. The filing fee is $138.75 as of 2025, and the report is due by May 1 each year. Missing this deadline incurs a $400 late fee.

Other ongoing costs for maintaining a Florida LLC may include:

  • Registered agent fees (if you use a third-party service)
  • Renewal fees for county-issued business tax receipts
  • Professional license renewals for regulated industries

These compliance obligations are separate from business licenses but are essential to keeping your Florida LLC in good standing.

What Types of Licenses or Permits Would I Need as an Employer?

It may be required of employers to withhold tax by submitting Income Tax Withholding registration forms. The permits and licenses that you may need will differ based on your area and the type of business you operate. A food vendor with a stand in Orange County, California, will need the following permits according to the requirements of California businesses:

  • Health Permit
  • Registration Income Tax Withholding Application
  • California Seller's Permit Application
  • Business License Application

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Is an LLC license the same as a business license in Florida?
    No. Forming an LLC creates a legal entity, while a business license is a permit to operate legally in a specific location or industry.
  2. Do I need a business license to run an LLC in Florida?
    Yes, most Florida LLCs need a local business tax receipt and possibly additional licenses depending on the business type and location.
  3. What is a Florida business tax receipt?
    It is a local license issued by counties and municipalities in Florida that allows you to legally conduct business within their jurisdiction.
  4. How much does it cost to form and maintain an LLC in Florida?
    The state filing fee is $125. Annual report filing costs $138.75. Additional local or industry-specific licenses may require separate fees.
  5. Do I need a license for an online business in Florida?
    Often, yes. You may still need a sales tax permit and local business tax receipt, especially if your business has a Florida address.

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