Starting or operating a business or nonprofit in Montgomery County requires careful attention to legal and administrative requirements. A crucial first step is understanding the licenses, registrations, and permits necessary for your specific business activity. Montgomery County issues these through various departments and offices, depending on the nature of the business.
Business Licenses
For-profit and non-profit entities must obtain licenses for a range of business activities within Montgomery County. These licenses are categorized by the type of operation.
Licenses for Animal-Related Businesses
Several licenses specifically cater to businesses dealing with animals. These include:
- Benevolent Organization: Non-profit organizations with 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status focused on animal rescue and placement require specific information and may need to contact Arpie Park at [email protected].
- Commercial Kennel: This license is for establishments that sell or breed animals for sale, or provide boarding, grooming, or training services for a fee. Inquiries can be directed to Arpie Park at [email protected].
- Equestrian Facility: Any land or structure primarily used for the care, breeding, boarding, rental, riding, or training of horses, or for teaching equestrian skills, requires this license. For more information, contact Arpie Park at [email protected].
- Fancier: Individuals owning or keeping three or more dogs or cats for noncommercial purposes such as hunting, tracking, exhibition, or field trials need to be aware of this classification. Contact Arpie Park at [email protected] for details.
- Guard Dog Operator: Those who place a dog trained to protect persons or property, or to attack on command, for hire on private property must obtain this license. This includes dogs serving law enforcement agencies unless otherwise specified. Arpie Park at [email protected] can provide further information.
- Pet Shop: This license is for commercial enterprises offering live animals for sale, excluding those solely selling livestock. Contact Arpie Park at [email protected] for more information.
Licenses for Food and Beverage Services
Businesses involved in the sale or service of food and beverages must adhere to specific licensing requirements:
- Alcohol and Beverage: Covers the sale of alcohol in various establishments like restaurants, stores, and hotels, including services like wine corkage and outdoor café operations. This is managed by the Department of Alcohol and Beverage Services.
- Farm Market/Farmer’s Market License: Required for operating a farmer’s market, on-site farm market, or roadside farm stand where unwrapped or hazardous food is distributed, sold, or sampled.
- Food Service Facility: This applies to establishments such as restaurants, coffee shops, cafeterias, and retail markets that prepare and serve food.
- Mobile Food Service Unit: Licenses are necessary for food trucks, trailers, or carts where food or drink is prepared, served, or sold. These units must also pass inspection.
- Special Food Events: This license is for temporary food service operations lasting less than 30 days, including mobile, permanent, or temporary structures.
Other Business Licenses
A comprehensive list of other business licenses includes:
- Benefit Performance: For events conducted by non-profit organizations for their exclusive benefit.
- Bingo: For qualified non-profit organizations to host bingo events.
- Bodyworks Establishment: Businesses offering services like acupressure or reflexology.
- Commercial Kennel: As detailed above, for animal sales, boarding, grooming, or training.
- Domiciliary Care/Assisted Living: For operating assisted living programs and group homes.
- Door-to-Door Vendor: For individuals traveling to sell goods or services directly to homes or offices.
- Elderly Group Home: For operating community residential homes for the elderly.
- Electrical Contractors / Electricians: Licensed through the Maryland Department of Labor.
- Enterprise (Entertainment): For entertainment venues like amusement parks, theaters, and dance halls.
- Fire Prevention and Code Compliance: For contractors working on fire protection systems.
- Group Home Non-Elderly: For operating group homes for non-elderly individuals.
- Hauler and Collector License: For those collecting or transporting solid waste.
- Health Care Facilities: Regulated by the Maryland Department of Health and the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services.
- Pool Operator: For individuals acting as swimming pool operators.
- Private School: For operating educational institutions with five or more students or multiple instructors.
- Recreational Camps: For operating camps with five or more campers.
- Regular Route Vendor: For individuals selling goods or services along a street on a repeating schedule.
- Rental Housing: Required for property owners before advertising or renting out properties.
- Secondhand Personal Property: For dealers selling used personal items.
- Sewage Sludge Utilization: For handling and disposing of septic waste.
- Sidewalk Vendor: For individuals engaging in sidewalk vending.
- Site Specific Vendor: For selling goods or services from a stationary location.
- Tanning Facility: For businesses offering tanning services for compensation.
- Taxicab: For individuals seeking to drive a taxicab.
- Transient Lodging (Hotels and Bed & Breakfast): For operating hotels and B&Bs.
- Video Game License: For establishments where video games are operated by the public.
Business Permits and Certificates
Certain business activities also necessitate permits or certificates in Montgomery County.
Design Consultation for Businesses with Physical Locations
Businesses planning to use or renovate a commercial space can benefit from a free design consultation with the Department of Permitting Services. This service helps discuss preliminary design drawings before finalizing construction documents.
Specific Permits and Certificates
- Agricultural Producer: For individuals selling fruits and vegetables.
- Commercial Building: Required for the construction of commercial buildings, including interior additions, demolitions, and fence installations.
- Raffle Permit: For non-profit organizations to conduct raffles.
- Major Equestrian Events: For competitions, exhibitions, or displays of equestrian skills.
- Parking Convenience Sticker (PCS) Monthly Permit: For frequent users of paid parking spaces.
- Sidewalk Installation: For installing new sidewalks.
- Swimming Pool Operating Permit: For businesses planning to operate a swimming pool.
- Special Events: Permits are required for public activities like carnivals, fairs, concerts, and festivals. Depending on the event’s specifics, additional permits related to alcohol, noise, or traffic impact may be necessary.
- Tree Removal: For removing trees on a property.
- Use & Occupancy: Mandatory for businesses with physical locations, often referred to as Use and Occupancy Certificates.
Business Registration
Most businesses operating in Montgomery County must register with either the County, the State of Maryland, or both. The Maryland Business Express website is the primary resource for state-required business registration.
County Registration Requirements
- Bed & Breakfast: Specific registration is needed for owner-occupied homes with a limited number of guest rooms that customarily serve breakfast. These also require a Transient Lodging license.
- Home Occupation (Home Based Business): For homeowners operating a business from their residence that generates significant foot traffic or employs non-resident staff.
- Motor Vehicle Repair, Maintenance & Towing: For businesses engaged in these services.
- New Home Builder: For those constructing new homes or condominium units.
- Parking Lot: Commercial property owners involved in non-consensual towing must register their parking lots.
- Pool Management Company: Companies managing swimming pools require registration.
- Radio, Television, and Electrical Appliance Installation and Repair: For businesses involved in servicing these items.
- Special Events: Events impacting county services or involving street closures may require registration, in addition to specific permits and licenses.
For more detailed information on specific licenses, permits, and registrations, it is advisable to consult the relevant Montgomery County department or the Maryland Business Express portal.
