The City of Baton Rouge and Parish of East Baton Rouge is committed to encouraging, supporting, and assisting new business development in the parish. Development provides a major contribution to economic growth. As a result, the Revenue Division has established the Taxpayer Assistance Section. This section provides individuals and businesses with information on City-Parish licenses, permits, and other requirements for operation of a business within East Baton Rouge Parish.

Following is a guide for individuals who are interested in starting a new business in the parish. The checklist indicates the local, state, and federal departments or agencies that issue licenses and permits and other requirements for opening a new business. You must contact each of the offices designated for the specific purposes noted. The requirements of each governmental agency, as well as the fees charged, are included on the checklist.

We hope you find this information useful. If you need further assistance regarding the start of your new business or local tax matters, please contact the Revenue Division at (225) 389-3084 or e-mail the Finance Department.

SECRETARY OF STATE

You must contact the Secretary of State's Office if you wish to incorporate your business.

What you will need:

• Articles of Incorporation

• Initial Report

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS

You must contact one of the following agencies for a zoning clearance. For Conforming Letters, the owner, officer of the corporation or legal representative must complete and sign the application.

What you will need:

• Location Address

Department of Public Works Website

LOCAL SALES TAX

What you will need:

• Cash or Certified Funds Only

• Picture Identification

• Corporate Charter (if corporation)

• Partnership Agreement (if partnership)

OCCUPATIONAL LICENSE

Note:  Please contact the appropriate office for the cost of each license.

What you will need:

• Picture Identification

• Corporate Charter (if corporation)

• Partnership Agreement (if partnership)

STATE SALES TAXES

All new businesses must contact the Louisiana Department of Revenue and Taxation for the following:

• Sales Tax Registration

• State I.D. Number

• State Income Tax Withholding

Louisiana Department of Revenue and Taxation
617 North 3rd Street
Baton Rouge, LA 70801
(225) 219-7356 Sales Tax
(225) 219-0102 Income Tax

What you will need:

• Picture Identification

• Corporate Charter (if Corporation)

• Partnership Agreement (if Partnership)

PLANNING AND ZONING

You must contact one of the following agencies only if you are rezoning your property. The owner, officer of the corporation, or legal representative must complete and sign the application.

What you will need:

• Location Address

• Survey Map

• Legal Description of Property

• Scale Layout of Proposal

Planning Commission Website

HEALTH DEPARTMENT

You must contact the Health Unit if you are selling food, beverages, and/or alcohol.

What you will need:

• Location Address

• Zoning Clearance

Louisiana's Department of Health and Hospitals

LOCAL ALCOHOL BEVERAGE CONTROL

You must contact one of the following agencies if you are selling alcoholic beverages.

What you will need:

• Local Sales Tax Registration or Clearance
• Approved Health Permit (EBRP Health Unit)
• Copy of Lease Agreement or Assessment Certificate
• Copy of Purchase Agreement if Purchasing the Property
• Completed & notarized Schedule A on each Owner
• Completed & notarized Schedule A on each Owner’s Spouse
• Final Inspection Report (Dept. of Public Works)
• Zoning Conforming Letter
• Property Rezoning (if necessary)
• Occupational License
• Copy of each owner’s drivers license
• Copy of each spouse’s drivers license
• Vendor/Server Training Class
• Attendance Certificate

STATE ALCOHOL BEVERAGE COMMISSION

You must contact the following agency only if you are selling alcoholic beverages.

Louisiana Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control
8549 United Plaza Blvd., Suite 220
Baton Rouge, LA 70809
(225) 925-4041

• State and Local Sales Tax Clearance Certificates

What you will need:

• Copies of Advertisements in Newspaper Declaring Intent to Apply

• Corporate Charter (if Corporation)

• Partnership Agreement (if Partnership)

• Lease Agreement

UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE AND WORKER’S COMPENSATION

All new businesses must contact the following agency:

Louisiana Department of Labor
1001 North 23^rd Street, 4^th Floor
Baton Rouge, LA  70802
(225) 342-2944

• Unemployment Insurance Tax

• Worker's Compensation

What you will need:

• LDOLES-1 Status Report

FEDERAL TAXES

All new businesses must contact the following agency:

Internal Revenue Service
2600 City Place Court
Suite 375
Baton Rouge, LA  70808
(225) 923-4200

1-800-829-1040 - Taxpayer Assistance and Forms

• Federal I.D. Number

• Federal Income Tax Withholding

• Federal Unemployment Insurance Tax

What you will need:

• Corporate Charter (if corporation)

• Partnership Agreement (if partnership)

BATON ROUGE POLICE DEPARTMENT

You must contact the Baton Rouge Police Department if you wish to buy and sell used goods.

Second Hand Dealers License

What you will need:

• Picture Identification

• A criminal history is checked on all applicants.

• Convicted felons cannot possess a secondhand dealers license.

Pawnshop Broker License

What you will need:

• Picture Identification

• A criminal history is checked on all applicants.

• Convicted felons cannot possess a pawnbroker license and cannot work in a pawnshop business.