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How to Open a Business in Pinellas County

Opening a business usually means coordinating the business location with zoning, local tax requirements, occupancy or building review, and any state regulated license that applies.

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See the $19 Project Kit

Need everything organized? For eligible projects, the optional $19 Project Kit brings your filing steps, official documents, fees and progress checklist together. Government fees are separate.

countywide

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Starting the legal entity is only one layer of opening a physical business. Pinellas County itself does not impose a county occupational license, but municipalities can require a local business tax receipt. A storefront or office also needs the proposed use to be allowed at the location and may require change-of-use, occupancy, building, fire, sign, or utility approvals. StartFL should resolve the municipality and zoning before telling an operator that Sunbiz registration alone completes the local opening process.

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