Pennsylvania · 3 jurisdictions covered
Business licences and permits in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania replaced its decennial report with an annual one in 2025, licenses no general contractors, and hands retail food licensing to eleven delegated health jurisdictions and around ninety-nine further municipalities.
What applies everywhere in Pennsylvania
12 requirements are set by Pennsylvania itself and apply whichever city you open in. Local permits sit on top of them.
| Requirement | Issued by | Fee | Applies | Last checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Report | Pennsylvania Department of State, Bureau of Corporations and Charitable Organizations | $7 per year for a for-profit entity | Only in some cases | 2026-09-03 |
| Articles of Incorporation | Pennsylvania Department of State, Bureau of Corporations and Charitable Organizations | $125 one-time filing | Only in some cases | 2026-09-03 |
| Certificate of Organization (LLC) | Pennsylvania Department of State, Bureau of Corporations and Charitable Organizations | $125 one-time filing | Only in some cases | 2026-09-03 |
| Child Care Certificate of Compliance | Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, Office of Child Development and Early Learning | No fee | To every business | 2026-09-03 |
| Contractor Licence (local, not state) | Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry, Bureau of Occupational and Industrial Safety | No fee | Only in some cases | 2026-09-03 |
| Cosmetology Salon Licence | Pennsylvania State Board of Cosmetology, Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs | $142 application and initial registration | To every business | 2026-09-03 |
| Food Employee Certification | Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Food Safety and Laboratory Services | No fee | To every business | 2026-09-03 |
| General Business Licence (local, not state) | Pennsylvania Department of State, Bureau of Corporations and Charitable Organizations | No fee | To every business | 2026-09-03 |
| Home Improvement Contractor Registration | Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, Bureau of Consumer Protection | $100 per two-year registration | Only in some cases | 2026-09-03 |
| Retail Food Facility Licence | Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Food Safety and Laboratory Services | $82–$241 new licence, renewal or change of ownership | To every business | 2026-09-03 |
| Sales, Use and Hotel Occupancy Tax Licence | Pennsylvania Department of Revenue | No fee — no registration fee | Only in some cases | 2026-09-03 |
| Veterinary Licence (individual; premises inspected, not licensed) | Pennsylvania State Board of Veterinary Medicine | $360 biennial renewal of the individual licence | To every business | 2026-09-03 |
Which Pennsylvania city are you opening in?
- Pittsburgh, PAThe City registers the business and issues occupancy and building permits; Allegheny County Health Department permits the food. No City licence exists for salons or veterinary facilities.10 published records
- Allentown, PAAllentown runs its own food inspection program, one of only a few Pennsylvania localities to do so, but follows the statewide manager-certification standard rather than its own separate exam. Its fire fee structure charges nothing for on-time inspections.9 published records
- Philadelphia, PAThe Commercial Activity Licence is free and never expires. Food service and retail food selling are licensed on separate schedules, and the general contractor licence carries insurance requirements but no bond.9 published records
Is there a single Pennsylvania business licence?
No. Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania?
- Pennsylvania Department of State, Bureau of Corporations and Charitable OrganizationsEntity formation · Annual reports under 15 Pa.C.S. section 146 · Fictitious names4 permits
- Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Food Safety and Laboratory ServicesRetail food facility licensing · Food employee certification recognition2 permits
- Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, Office of Child Development and Early LearningChild care certificates of compliance1 permit
- Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry, Bureau of Occupational and Industrial SafetyUniform Construction Code · Confirmation that Pennsylvania does not license contractors1 permit
- Pennsylvania Department of RevenueSales, use and hotel occupancy tax licences · Business tax registration1 permit
- Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, Bureau of Consumer ProtectionHome improvement contractor registration1 permit
- Pennsylvania State Board of Cosmetology, Bureau of Professional and Occupational AffairsCosmetology salon licensing · Individual practitioner licensing1 permit
- Pennsylvania State Board of Veterinary MedicineVeterinarian licensing · Biennial inspection of veterinary establishments1 permit
By industry
Commercial Compliance Hub publishes information, not legal advice. Requirements change — confirm anything you rely on with the issuing agency before you file.