Here's what you need in Utah
Official state business portal: Utah OneStop Business Registration. One online application registers a new business with the Utah State Tax Commission, the Department of Commerce and the Department of Workforce Services at the same time.
| What you need | Who issues it | Official fee | Links | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General state business licenseNo general state business license. Utah does not issue a general business license at the state level. After you register your business with the state, you get a business license from your city, town or county. | Utah Department of Commerce | Not needed | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Form an LLCCertificate of Organization. To form an LLC in Utah, file a Certificate of Organization with the Division of Corporations and Commercial Code. The processing fee is not refundable. | Utah Division of Corporations and Commercial Code | $59 filing fee | Applyat commerce.utah.govSource | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Business name (DBA)Doing Business As (DBA) Registration. A person, partnership or business entity that does business under another name registers a DBA with the Utah Division of Corporations and Commercial Code. A DBA is registered for 3 years at a time. | Utah Division of Corporations and Commercial Code | $22 filing fee | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Sales tax permitUtah Sales Tax License. Every seller with a presence in Utah must have a Utah sales tax license. Apply online through the Taxpayer Access Point (TAP). | Utah State Tax Commission | Fee not published.Ask the agency | Applyat tap.utah.govSource | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Unemployment insurance (once you hire)Unemployment Insurance Registration (Status Report, Form 1). All new businesses submit a Status Report (Form 1) to the Department of Workforce Services, which decides whether you are subject to unemployment insurance. A business that employs one or more people for any part of a day in a year is subject. | Utah Department of Workforce Services | You pay tax on wages | Applyat businessregistration.utah.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 Utah pays or files after it is formed.
| What you need | Who issues it | Official fee | Links | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Report (Renewal)Every Utah LLC files an annual report, also called a renewal, each year to stay active. The state fee schedule (fiscal year 2026) lists the LLC renewal fee, which includes a small charge for the state sign-on portal. The same amount is charged for each missed year if a lapsed LLC is reinstated. | Utah Division of Corporations and Commercial Code | $18 a year | Applyat commerce.utah.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 shop license. DOPL licenses individual cosmetologists, barbers and nail technicians. No official page about a separate license for the salon or shop itself was found, so ask DOPL. | Utah Division of Professional Licensing (DOPL) | Not yet verifiedCheck with the agency | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Child care in your homeResidential Certificate or Licensed Family Child Care. Home child care in Utah is either a residential certificate or a licensed family child care program. Both need an application, training, background checks and an inspection. | Utah Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Licensing and Background Checks | Fee not published.Ask the agency | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Selling alcohol (bar or restaurant)Retail Alcohol License. Bars and restaurants need a retail license from DABS, and the application includes local consent from your city or county. | Utah Department of Alcoholic Beverage Services (DABS) | Depends on the license type | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
| General contractorGeneral Contractor License. Utah licenses general contractors through DOPL. You need construction experience and must pass the Utah Business and Law Exam or show licensed experience. | Utah Division of Professional Licensing (DOPL) | Fee not published.Ask the agency | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Selling homemade food (cottage food)Cottage Food Production. With a valid food handler permit, you can make certain low risk foods at home after UDAF inspects and registers your kitchen. Utah also has a separate Home Consumption and Homemade Food Act. | Utah Department of Agriculture and Food (UDAF) | Fee not published.Ask the agency | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
What is different in Utah
- At $59, the LLC filing fee is among the lowest: only 11 of 49 verified states charge less.
- Business names (DBAs) are filed with the state, at the Utah Division of Corporations and Commercial Code. At $22, the state DBA fee is near the middle: 12 of 33 verified states charge less and 20 charge more.
- Annual Report (Renewal): $18 a year. Every Utah LLC files an annual report, also called a renewal, each year to stay active. The state fee schedule (fiscal year 2026) lists the LLC renewal fee, which includes a small charge for the state sign-on portal. The same amount is charged for each missed year if a lapsed LLC is reinstated.
Steps to start a business in Utah
Pick a structure and register it
Sole owners can start under their own name. To form an LLC, file the Certificate of Organization with the Utah Division of Corporations and Commercial Code ($59).
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 Utah Division of Corporations and Commercial Code.
Register for sales tax
If you sell taxable goods or services, get your permit from the Utah State Tax Commission 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 Utah Department of Workforce Services.
City and county permits
Cities and countys in Utah 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.
Questions about business licenses in Utah
Do I need a business license in Utah?
No. Utah does not issue a general business license at the state level. After you register your business with the state, you get a business license from your city, town or county.
How much is a business license in Utah?
There is no general state business license fee in Utah. 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 Utah?
The Utah Division of Corporations and Commercial Code charges $59 filing fee to file the Certificate of Organization. To form an LLC in Utah, file a Certificate of Organization with the Division of Corporations and Commercial Code. The processing fee is not refundable.
How much does an LLC cost per year in Utah?
Annual Report (Renewal): $18 a year. Every Utah LLC files an annual report, also called a renewal, each year to stay active. The state fee schedule (fiscal year 2026) lists the LLC renewal fee, which includes a small charge for the state sign-on portal. The same amount is charged for each missed year if a lapsed LLC is reinstated.
Does an LLC need a business license in Utah?
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 Utah 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 Utah?
Yes, if you sell taxable goods or services. Every seller with a presence in Utah must have a Utah sales tax license. Apply online through the Taxpayer Access Point (TAP).
How much is a DBA in Utah?
A person, partnership or business entity that does business under another name registers a DBA with the Utah Division of Corporations and Commercial Code. A DBA is registered for 3 years at a time. Official fee: $22 filing fee.
Can I sell homemade food from home in Utah?
With a valid food handler permit, you can make certain low risk foods at home after UDAF inspects and registers your kitchen. Utah also has a separate Home Consumption and Homemade Food Act.
Do contractors need a state license in Utah?
Utah licenses general contractors through DOPL. You need construction experience and must pass the Utah Business and Law Exam or show licensed experience.
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 Utah Department of Commerce Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Form an LLC Utah Division of Corporations and Commercial Code Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Business name (DBA) Utah Division of Corporations and Commercial Code Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Sales tax permit Utah State Tax Commission Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Unemployment insurance (once you hire) Utah Department of Workforce Services Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Official business portal State of Utah Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Hair salon, barber shop or nail salon Utah Division of Professional Licensing (DOPL) Not yet verified Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Child care in your home Utah Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Licensing and Background Checks Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Selling alcohol (bar or restaurant) Utah Department of Alcoholic Beverage Services (DABS) Checked Nov 7, 2026
- General contractor Utah Division of Professional Licensing (DOPL) Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Selling homemade food (cottage food) Utah Department of Agriculture and Food (UDAF) Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Annual Report (Renewal) Utah Division of Corporations and Commercial Code Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Federal tax ID (EIN) Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Checked Nov 7, 2026