Starting a Business Downtown:

The following is a list of requirements needed to operate a business in Downtown Fort Walton Beach:

City of Fort Walton Beach Business Tax Receipt: http://fwb.org/engineering/planning-zoning/business-tax-receipts/

Approximate Cost:
Restaurant Lounge - (Under 100 Seats) $126.00
Professional Business- $189
Merchants:
1 - 5 employees - $60.00
6 - 20 employees - $126.00
21 or more employees - $221.00


Fire Inspection: Call 850-833-9500
Approximate Cost $25-$30

The city has formed a special overlay district that allows a wide variety of businesses to operate and also has some grants available for improvements.

If you have any questions please call the Planning Division at 850-833-9697, or visit the office located at 105 Miracle Strip Parkway SW, Fort Walton Beach, Florida.


Okaloosa County Business Tax Receipt: $35
http://www.okaloosatax.com/services/business-tax-receipt/

 Download your application here:http://www.okaloosatax.com/downloads/form-center/?did=47


IRS: FREE
You may be required to obtain a Federal ID number.

Click here: http://www.irs.gov/Businesses/Small-Businesses-&-Self-Employed/Apply-for-an-Employer-Identification-Number-(EIN)-Online
7180 9th Ave. Worth

 Pensacola, FL 32504 Phone: 850-435-8648

Secretary of State
Information on how to establish a corporation is available from: www.sunbiz.org

Corporation Division
Capitol Building
Tallahassee, FL 32304
Phone: 850-488-9000

 Create Florida Corporation, LLC or Register Ficticious Name Here:

Corporation: $70 (Annual Filing Fee Due before May 1 each year $150.00)https://efile.sunbiz.org/profit_file.html

 LLC: $125 (Annual Filing Fee Due before May 1 each year $138.50)https://efile.sunbiz.org/llc_file.html

Fictitious Name Fee: $50
https://efile.sunbiz.org/ficregintro.html
If you are using any name for your business other than your legal name, you are required to file a fictitious name with the state.


Florida Department of Revenue: FREE
If your business involves selling anything, you may be required to collect sales tax.
Click here to register: http://dor.myflorida.com/dor/taxes/registration.html
 3670 North “L” Street, Building C
Pensacola, FL 32505 Phone: 850-595-5170


Restaurant Permits:
See link below for applications and review. Check link for fee calculator. Expect to pay around $500. https://www.myfloridalicense.com/intentions2.asp?chBoard=true&SID=&boardid=200&professionid=2010

Division of Hotels and Restaurants, Panama City Beach District #6. Phone: 850-487-1395.
-Restaurants
-Food Concessions
-Mobile Food Units
-Take-Out
-Catering


Alcohol Permits:
https://www.myfloridalicense.com/intentions2.asp?chBoard=true&boardid=400&SID=
Escambia, Okaloosa & Santa Rosa County: Licenses are issued pursuant to Florida Statute 561.20(2)(a)4 to establishments that maintain a bona fide restaurant having 2,500 square feet of floor space under permanent cover, seating for 150 patrons, and deriving 51% of their gross revenue from the sale of food and non-alcoholic beverages.

Series Provisions Annual Fee
1APS Beer (Package Sales Only) $140.00
2APS Beer and Wine (Package Sales Only) $196.00
1COP Beer (Package and Consumption) $280.00
2COP Beer and Wine (Package and Consumption) $392.00
3PS Beer, Wine and Spirits (Package Sales Only) $1,365.00
4COP Beer, Wine and Spirits (Package and Consumption) $1,820.00
11C Beer, Wine and Spirits (Consumption Only) $400.00


Utilities:
Gulf Power Electric:
Connection may be done online: Deposit will be required call for quote. 1-800-225-5797 request average for the year.https://customerservice.southerncompany.com/ElectricService/startdefault.aspx

Gas:http://www.okaloosagas.com/deposits-and-fees.aspx

 Water & Trash: http://fwb.org/paybill/