Licenses and permits to open a retail store in Miami
A store's filings are mostly registration and tax, plus the sign and occupancy for the space. Here are the 6 filings, in the order they're made.
Application for Employer Identification Number (EIN)
Internal Revenue ServiceUS federal
Owners with an SSN or ITIN apply online. A company whose responsible party has neither (most China-based owners) faxes or mails Form SS-4, or calls the IRS international line.
- Fee
- Free
- Filed
- Paper form, faxed or mailed
- Takes
- Fax: about 4 business days. Mail: about 4 to 5 weeks. Phone: issued on the call.
LLC formation
Florida Division of Corporations (Sunbiz)FL
Form the LLC or register a foreign company online.
- Fee
- $125
- Filed
- Filed online
Florida sales tax and reemployment tax registration
Florida Department of RevenueFL
Register online before you start doing business. The same application covers sales and use tax and reemployment tax, Florida's unemployment tax for employers.
- Fee
- Varies
- Filed
- Filed online
- Takes
- After registering online, the certificate number is available on the website after three business days.
City of Miami CU (use approval)
City of Miami, Office of ZoningMiami
For a business opening or moving in the city, applied for online only through MiamiBiz once construction is done (with the certificate of occupancy or completion for new or renovated space). After the $50 fee, pass the DERM, fire and code inspections, plus Health or DBPR for food, within 90 working days of starting the application.
- Fee
- Varies
- Filed
- Filed online
- Takes
- The city contacts you within five business days of applying and paying.
- Renews
- Every year; it runs to September 30, and the renewal invoice also covers the fire safety permit.
City of Miami business tax receipt
City of MiamiMiami
Every business operating in the city needs one, after its Certificate of Use. Apply online with the EIN and, for a restaurant, the state food service license; the city emails an invoice, and the interim receipt comes by email once it's paid. A Miami-Dade County receipt is needed as well.
- Fee
- Varies
- Filed
- Filed online
- Takes
- The city doesn't publish how long approval takes; the interim receipt is emailed after payment.
Miami-Dade County local business tax receipt
Miami-Dade County Tax CollectorMiami
Needed for each place of business in the county, and inside a city on top of the city's receipt. Apply online in BTExpress after completing the attestation that the business doesn't trade with Cuba in violation of federal law.
- Fee
- Varies
- Filed
- Filed online
- Takes
- Allow up to three business days after the attestation for the receipt to be ready to print.
- Renews
- Every year; receipts run October 1 to September 30.
More on opening in Miami
Questions people ask
Other businesses in Miami
Agency requirements change. Check each agency's page before you file.
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Get the plan for your retail store in Miami
This guide covers the city. Your exact address decides the county, the health district and the zoning. Placetta maps every filing for it, fills the official forms from your details, adds the deadlines and puts them up for your approval.
- The full list for your address, in filing order
- The official forms, filled line by line
- Renewal and inspection reminders