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Pennsylvania LLC
Business Licenses and Permits
Quick Start Guide
This Quick Start Guide is a brief overview of how to form an LLC in Pennsylvania.
Detailed Lessons:
1. Name Search
2. Registered Agent
3. Filing Forms
4. Operating Agreement
5. Tax ID Number (EIN)
6. Decennial Report
7. Licenses and Permits ← you are here
8. Taxes
Pennsylvania LLC Costs:
Pennsylvania state fee: $125
Need to save time?
Hire a professional to form your LLC in Pennsylvania:
Northwest ($39 + state fee) or LegalZoom ($149 + state fee)
(check out Northwest vs LegalZoom)
After you form a Pennsylvania LLC, you need to comply with any county and city license and permit requirements.
Your requirements are determined by the industry you are in and where your Pennsylvania LLC is located.
Not complying with license and permit requirements is risky and can result in penalties and fines, or worse, not being able to conduct business in Pennsylvania.
Types of licenses & permits you may need in Pennsylvania
Below are some license and permit examples your Pennsylvania LLC may need:
- City business licenses/tax permits
- Building permit
- Health permit
- Occupational permit
- Signage permit
- Alarm permit
- Zoning permit
- Alcohol & tobacco permit
- Liquor license
- Sales tax permit
- Use tax permit
- Seller/reseller permit
Do it yourself in Pennsylvania
No State Business License in Pennsylvania
The State of Pennsylvania does not have a general, state-level business license. Instead, business licenses are issued at the local level and depend on the type of business your PA LLC engages in.
Pennsylvania State Agency Business Licenses
You may need to contact a PA state agency that regulates the business your LLC is engaged in to find out if you’re required to get a license or permit: http://legacy.pa.gov/Pages/Agency-Directory.aspx
http://www.dos.pa.gov/Pages/Directory.aspx
Contact Your Local Officials
Since licenses and permits for Pennsylvania LLCs are controlled at the local level, we recommend contacting the county and the city where you do business. You can find the contact details of your local officials here: http://www.pacounties.org/PAsCounties/Pages/Default.aspx
We also recommend contacting the city where you do business as well.
Professional Licenses
Professional LLCs (PLLCs) must obtain permission from the State Board or Commission that regulates their activities: http://www.dos.pa.gov/ProfessionalLicensing/Pages/Board-Contacts.aspx
These occupational licenses are a requirement to practice these professions in PA, but are not to be confused with a business license. If you are required to hold an occupational license in Pennsylvania, you may also be required to obtain a local business license as well.
Next Step
After you’ve researched and obtained the proper licenses and permits for your Pennsylvania LLC, you can then proceed to the next lesson: Pennsylvania LLC Taxes.
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Hi. I am an online seller on Amazon and Etsy. From what I know, I need just Sales license, right?
Thank you, Alina
Hi Alina, yes, I believe so, but we don’t advise on the the exact licenses/permits that are needed for each type of business (because it varies so widely). However, we have some recommendations on this page if you need help. Thanks for your understanding.
Hi Matt. I’m from Florida and am having a debate with a relative here in Pa. In Pennsylvania, what type of business, or sector of business, needs a health license?
Hi Lebby, we don’t provide this type of information at this time. I recommend contacting the Pennsylvania Department of Health. Hope that helps.