Online store licenses
in Columbus, Ohio
Start with the main licenses and permits below. For a checklist based on your own business, tell us what you’re opening and how it will operate.
Researched Sep 2026
About this example
This business is an online store selling tangible goods, operated from a home in Columbus, Ohio, with no employees or commercial storefront. It is subject to state and local regulations, including sales tax registration and municipal income tax obligations.
Requirement labels below refer to this setup. Conditional items depend on additional details.
Authorities researched
- County
- Franklin County
- City
- City of Columbus
Details to confirm before you apply
- Will the owner operate under a trade name?
- Will the owner form an LLC or corporation in the future?
- What is the exact combined Columbus/Franklin County sales tax rate?
- Does the owner plan to hire employees in the future?
- Will the owner sell any food or alcohol products?
- What specific tangible goods will the owner sell?
- Confirm with the responsible agencies whether additional requirements apply in these areas: City business license or tax registration. These areas remain unresolved in this guide.
The main licenses and permits
5 of 5- 01Ohio Vendor's License (sales tax registration)Ohio Department of Taxation · Ohio
Ohio law requires any person or business making retail sales of tangible personal property to register for sales tax.
RequiredNot published - 02Columbus municipal income tax registrationCity of Columbus, Division of Income Tax · Columbus
The business is located in Columbus, so its net profits are subject to the municipal income tax.
RequiredAnnual - 03Zoning compliance for home occupationCity of Columbus, Department of Building and Zoning Services · Columbus
The store operates from the owner's residence; compliance with home occupation provisions is required.
Likely requiredNot published - 04Employer Identification Number (EIN)Internal Revenue Service (IRS) · Federal
An online retail business that will pay sales taxes needs a federal taxpayer ID.
Likely requiredNone (permanent number) - 05Trade name / fictitious name registration (DBA)Ohio Secretary of State · Ohio
Required if the store sells under any name other than the owner's personal legal name.
ConditionalEvery 5 years
Make the checklist yours
Your location, activities, and business structure can change the list. Get a free preview for your business, then decide whether to unlock the full report for $49.
Questions people ask
What city business licenses or registrations should an online store in Columbus check?
This guide does not establish whether Columbus requires a stand-alone general business license or registration. Confirm that question with the city, in addition to reviewing the industry permits and registrations below.
How much do licenses and permits cost for an online store in Columbus?
About $50 in published fixed fees, plus variable fees. Several items have fees that depend on your entity type, square footage, or payroll, so the full report lists each fee as the agency publishes it.
What should I do first?
Review Employer Identification Number (EIN) (Internal Revenue Service (IRS)), then Ohio Vendor's License (sales tax registration) (Ohio Department of Taxation), then Trade name / fictitious name registration (DBA) (if applicable) (Ohio Secretary of State). Confirm each item's applicability and prerequisites before applying; the report provides a suggested order for the full checklist.
Is this legal advice?
No. It is a research summary of public requirements published by government agencies, each linked to its official page. Confirm with the issuing agency before filing.
Related guides
Researched from official government sources on September 2, 2026 for a typical online store. Requirements change and depend on your facts; this page is not legal advice. Confirm with the issuing agency before filing.