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Maryland · 13 statewide requirements covered

Business licences and permits in Maryland

Maryland prices its general business licence on the value of your inventory, through the Clerk of the Circuit Court, and charges a $300 annual report to LLCs and corporations alike. Child care licences are free.

What applies everywhere in Maryland

13 requirements are set by Maryland itself and apply whichever city you open in. Local permits sit on top of them.

Requirements set by Maryland that apply in every jurisdiction in the state, with the issuing agency, the published fee and the date each was last checked against its source
Annual ReportMaryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation, Corporate Charter Division$300 a yearOnly in some cases2026-09-03
Articles of IncorporationMaryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation, Corporate Charter Division$120 one-time minimum — $100 filing plus a $20 organization and capitalization feeOnly in some cases2026-09-03
Articles of Organization (LLC)Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation, Corporate Charter Division$100 one-time filingOnly in some cases2026-09-03
Automotive Repair Facility Registration (not required by Maryland)Maryland Office of the Attorney General, Consumer Protection DivisionNo feeOnly in some cases2026-09-03
Barbershop PermitMaryland State Board of Barbers, Department of Labor$225 to open — a $56 permit plus a $169 pre-opening inspection; $56 to renewOnly in some cases2026-09-03
Beauty Salon PermitMaryland State Board of Cosmetologists, Department of Labor$225 to open — a $56 permit plus a $169 pre-opening inspection; $56 to renewTo every business2026-09-03
Certified Food Service ManagerMaryland Department of Health, Office of Food ProtectionNo feeOnly in some cases2026-09-03
Child Care Centre LicenceMaryland State Department of Education, Office of Child CareNo feeTo every business2026-09-03
Food Service Facility LicenceMaryland Department of Health, Office of Food Protection$100–$525 a year, set by the county health department — there is no state feeTo every business2026-09-03
Home Improvement Contractor LicenceMaryland Home Improvement Commission, Department of Labor$403.75 to open — $281.25 plus a $100 guaranty fund assessment and $22.50 processing; $456.25 to renewOnly in some cases2026-09-03
Sales and Use Tax LicenceComptroller of Maryland, Revenue Administration DivisionNo feeTo every business2026-09-03
Trader's LicenceComptroller of Maryland, State License Bureau$15–$2,125 a year, banded by the value of your stock-in-trade, plus a $2 issuing feeTo every business2026-09-03
Veterinary Hospital LicenceMaryland State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners, Department of Agriculture$300 a year; a further $200 if renewed on or after 1 JulyTo every business2026-09-03

Which Maryland city are you opening in?

We do not yet publish a Maryland city. The statewide requirements above are verified as far as they go, but a city or county adds its own — a local business tax receipt, a food permit, a building sign-off — and we will not guess at those. The jurisdictions we do cover are listed in full.

Is there a single Maryland business licence?

No. Maryland has no single licence that covers every business. What you need depends on your industry, your city and your county, and most of the obligations that matter are issued locally rather than at state level.

The state-level registrations that do apply to nearly everyone are tax accounts rather than licences — which is why they are easy to miss.

Who issues permits in Maryland?

By industry

Commercial Compliance Hub publishes information, not legal advice. Requirements change — confirm anything you rely on with the issuing agency before you file.