• Licenses and permits to ensure the appropriate and responsible use of natural resources. • Licenses and permits to control the development and implementation of new technology. • Licenses and permits to authorize a business to serve as the state’s agent for collection of revenue. Minnesota does not require or issue a " general " business license; instead, licensing is handled by sector (e.g., health care, trades, food service, transportation) and/or municipality. The Bureau of Business Licenses provides information about federal, state and local licenses and assistance in securing them. The Bureau also publishes, free of charge, t he State of Minnesota Directory of Licenses and Permits which contains a complete list of regulated activities, licenses and permits, and the appropriate state agency contact. It is reprinted at the end of this Guide. Minnesota ELicensing is the State of Minnesota’s online portal for licenses and permits. Through this site, users can access information on more than 940 licenses, permits, and registrations administered by various state agencies and boards. The Minnesota ELicensing portal provides details on the authorizations required to do business, practice a trade or profession, or engage in recreational activities in Minnesota. It also includes information on licenses related to equipment, vehicles, and operating privileges. The site allows you to easily search for licensing information by activity, administering agency, license name, or keyword. Note that Minn. Stat. § 645.44, subd. 19 makes explicit that monies paid to a government entity for a business or individual to engage in trade, profession, or business or to improve private property are a tax not a fee. Local Licensure In addition to the licensing requirements imposed by the state, some local governments also require certain kinds of business activity to be licensed on the local level. In some cases this local licensure may take the form of a general business license involving no more than registration and payment of a fee. In other cases it may involve compliance with local ordinances specific to a particular type of business. For example, current state law imposes no license requirements on commercial building contractors. Many municipalities, however, require registration and bonding of these contractors before the municipalities will issue necessary building permits or conduct necessary inspections. Larger cities like Minneapolis and St. Paul have licensing departments. Smaller municipalities usually rely on the city clerk to direct licensing activities. A call to either of these early in your business planning will help avoid confusion and delay later. In addition, the city clerk can in most cases give you information on local zoning requirements. Refer to the County and City Licensing Contact information in the Resource Directory of this Guide.
88
Made with FlippingBook - Online Brochure Maker