Here's what you need in Ohio
Official state business portal: Ohio.gov Business. The state business page links to programs for starting and growing a business, to resources for registering and staying compliant, and to the Ohio Business Gateway.
| What you need | Who issues it | Official fee | Links | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General state business licenseNo general state business license. Ohio does not require every business to have a general business license. The licenses you need depend on the kind of business, and your city or county may have its own rules. | Ohio Department of Development | Not needed | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Form an LLCArticles of Organization. To form an LLC, file Articles of Organization with the Ohio Secretary of State. This is a one time fee set by state law. | Ohio Secretary of State | $99 filing fee | Applyat ohiosos.govSource | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Business name (DBA)Trade name or fictitious name registration. Trade names and fictitious names are registered at the state level with the Ohio Secretary of State. A renewal costs less than a new registration. | Ohio Secretary of State | $39 filing fee | Applyat ohiosos.govSource | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Sales tax permitVendor's license. If you sell taxable goods or services in Ohio, get a vendor's license for each fixed location. Apply online through OH|TAX eServices or with your county auditor. | Ohio Department of Taxation | $50 per location | Applyat myportal.tax.ohio.govSource | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Unemployment insurance (once you hire)Unemployment insurance tax account. Most employers must pay unemployment tax and report wages every quarter to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. | Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) | You pay tax on wages | Applyat thesource.jfs.ohio.govSource | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Federal tax ID (EIN)Employer Identification Number (EIN). You need an EIN if you have employees or pay certain federal taxes, and banks often ask for one. Apply online with the IRS and you get the number in minutes. | Internal Revenue Service (IRS) | Free | Applyat irs.govSource | Nov 7, 2026 |
Costs after you start
What an LLC in Ohio pays or files after it is formed.
| What you need | Who issues it | Official fee | Links | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual reportOhio is known for not requiring a yearly report from LLCs, but we could not yet confirm this on an official page because the Secretary of State site blocked our check. | Ohio Secretary of State | Not yet verifiedCheck with the agency | Applyat ohiosos.govSource | Nov 7, 2026 |
Licenses by type of business
State level licenses. Your city or county may add its own permits.
| What you need | Who issues it | Official fee | Links | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hair salon, barber shop or nail salonSalon or barbershop license. A hair salon, nail salon or barbershop needs a business license from the Ohio State Cosmetology and Barber Board. One board licenses both salons and barbershops. | Ohio State Cosmetology and Barber Board | $85 for a new salon or barbershop | Applyat elicense.ohio.govSource | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Child care in your homeLicensed Type B family child care home. A Type B family child care home needs a state license before it opens. You pay a one time application fee set by state rule. | Ohio Department of Children and Youth | $25 application fee (Type B home) | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Selling alcohol (bar or restaurant)Liquor permit (for example D-5). Bars and restaurants get liquor permits from the Ohio Division of Liquor Control, part of the Ohio Department of Commerce. The fee depends on the permit class, and many retail permits are limited by a population quota. | Ohio Division of Liquor Control | Depends on the permit class | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
| General contractorNo state general contractor license. Ohio has no state license for general contractors. The state licenses only commercial electrical, HVAC, plumbing, hydronics and refrigeration contractors, and your local building department may have its own rules. | Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board (OCILB) | Not needed | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Selling homemade food (cottage food)Cottage Food Production Operation. You can make certain foods that do not need refrigeration in your home kitchen and sell them in Ohio without a license or inspection. Products must be properly labeled. | Ohio Department of Agriculture | No license needed | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
What is different in Ohio
- At $99, the LLC filing fee is near the middle: 16 of 49 verified states charge less and 31 charge more.
- Business names (DBAs) are filed with the state, at the Ohio Secretary of State. At $39, the state DBA fee is near the middle: 23 of 33 verified states charge less and 9 charge more.
- Ohio does not license general contractors at the state level, one of 4 states in our data. Trades such as electrical and plumbing can still need a state license, and cities often require registration.
- At $85, the salon or shop license fee is near the middle: 12 of 36 verified states charge less and 23 charge more.
Steps to start a business in Ohio
Pick a structure and register it
Sole owners can start under their own name. To form an LLC, file the Articles of Organization with the Ohio Secretary of State ($99).
Get a free EIN
Apply on irs.gov. You need it to hire, and banks usually ask for it. Never pay a website for an EIN.
Register your business name
If you trade under a name that is not your legal name, file a DBA with the Ohio Secretary of State.
Register for sales tax
If you sell taxable goods or services, get your permit from the Ohio Department of Taxation before your first sale.
Get a state license for your type of business
Salons, child care, alcohol, building work and home food each have their own state rules. See the table above.
Check city and county permits
Ask about a local business license, zoning, health and building permits before you sign a lease.
Register as an employer when you hire
Open a state unemployment insurance tax account with the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS).
City and county permits
Cities and countys in Ohio can require their own business license, zoning approval, health permit or building permit. Rules change from place to place, so ask your city hall and county clerk before you sign a lease. Home businesses often need a home occupation permit.
In the biggest cities, ask these local governments:
- Columbus: the city, and Franklin County. City of Columbus (columbus.gov)
- Cleveland: the city, and Cuyahoga County. Business licenses and permits (Division of Assessments and Licenses) (clevelandohio.gov), City of Cleveland (clevelandohio.gov)
City rules and fees are not in our guide yet.
Questions about business licenses in Ohio
Do I need a business license in Ohio?
No. Ohio does not require every business to have a general business license. The licenses you need depend on the kind of business, and your city or county may have its own rules.
How much is a business license in Ohio?
There is no general state business license fee in Ohio. A local business license, if your city or county requires one, is priced by that city or county. State licenses for some types of business have their own fees, listed on this page.
How much is an LLC in Ohio?
The Ohio Secretary of State charges $99 filing fee to file the Articles of Organization. To form an LLC, file Articles of Organization with the Ohio Secretary of State. This is a one time fee set by state law.
Does an LLC need a business license in Ohio?
Yes, if your type of business or your location requires one. Forming an LLC only registers your company with the state; it is not a license. An LLC in Ohio still needs any state license for its type of business and any local business license from its city or county.
Do I need a sales tax permit in Ohio?
Yes, if you sell taxable goods or services. If you sell taxable goods or services in Ohio, get a vendor's license for each fixed location. Apply online through OH|TAX eServices or with your county auditor. Official fee: $50 per location.
How much is a DBA in Ohio?
Trade names and fictitious names are registered at the state level with the Ohio Secretary of State. A renewal costs less than a new registration. Official fee: $39 filing fee.
Can I sell homemade food from home in Ohio?
You can make certain foods that do not need refrigeration in your home kitchen and sell them in Ohio without a license or inspection. Products must be properly labeled. Fee: No license needed.
Do contractors need a state license in Ohio?
Ohio has no state license for general contractors. The state licenses only commercial electrical, HVAC, plumbing, hydronics and refrigeration contractors, and your local building department may have its own rules.
Do I need an EIN?
You need an EIN if you have employees or pay certain federal taxes, and banks often ask for one. Apply online with the IRS and you get the number in minutes. It is free: never pay a website for an EIN.
Sources
Every fact on this page comes from an official government page, checked on the date shown. Facts we could not confirm are marked Not yet verified and show no number. How we check.
- General state business license Ohio Department of Development Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Form an LLC Ohio Secretary of State Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Sales tax permit Ohio Department of Taxation Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Unemployment insurance (once you hire) Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Official business portal State of Ohio Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Hair salon, barber shop or nail salon Ohio State Cosmetology and Barber Board Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Child care in your home Ohio Department of Children and Youth Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Selling alcohol (bar or restaurant) Ohio Division of Liquor Control Checked Nov 7, 2026
- General contractor Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board (OCILB) Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Selling homemade food (cottage food) Ohio Department of Agriculture Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Annual report Ohio Secretary of State Not yet verified Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Federal tax ID (EIN) Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Checked Nov 7, 2026