Before you sign!
Careful planning before signing a lease can help avoid errors that could result in unexpected costs and delays.
The new location for this page is
https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/business/start/
Retail Starter Kit
Use this kit as a general overview of what it would take to open a retail store in Montgomery County, Maryland.
Beyond the general steps required to start your business there are certain considerations that specifically apply to retail businesses.If you are planning to buy or lease space for a retail store, be sure to check the County's zoning information to ensure that retail activities are permitted at the proposed location.
You also should check to be sure the location you are considering has a current Use & Occupancy Certificate and that it matches your intended use.
If you decide to build your own space, you will need to familiarize yourself with the County’s zoning regulations and policies as well as permitting requirements.Zoning
Montgomery County and jurisdictions throughout the country use
zoning as part of an overall approach to strategically regulating land use. The zoning code is used to regulate the form (size, shape height and mass) of a building and the uses that are allowed on the property.
Montgomery County Planners have rewritten the County's zoning code and have modernized zoning regulations. They have created a new interactive
digital zoning map to look up zoning and property information.
If you plan to open a new Retail store or expand your existing store, be sure to review the County's
building codes. In addition, several municipalities in Montgomery County have their own planning and zoning requirements:
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Learn more about Montgomery County Municipalities and Special Taxing Districts and their requirements.
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Construction
Commercial New Construction
Commercial Change of Use
Commercial Use & Occupancy
Sign Permits
Montgomery County and
ADA Compliance
Utilities
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Electricity
BG&E Construction & Remodeling, New Business Services
1-800-233-1854
First Energy/Potomac Edison Customer Service: 1-800-686-0011
PEPCO Business Solutions 301-670-8700
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Gas
Washington Gas Customer Service 703-750-1000
Consumers have choices for electric and gas utility services. Visit MD Electric Choice and MD Gas Choice, the offical customer choice portals of the Maryland Public Service Commission.
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Water and Sewer Service
Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission Customer Service 301-206-4001
Licenses
Retail businesses must obtain a Trader’s License from the Montgomery County Circuit Court.- Business Licenses in Montgomery County
- Business License Application
- Business License Application (Spanish)
Please be sure to display the license, not the application, in plain view. Failure to do so may result in fines and/or penalties.
If you plan to sell retail as a street vendor, please review the vendor licenses issued by Department of Permitting Service.
The Department of Liquor Control issues licenses for the retail sale of beer and wine. A retail store that is interested in selling beer and wine should apply for a Class A Alcohol Beverage license. Review the guidance contained in the publication How to Apply for a New or Transfer Annual Alcohol Beverage License in Montgomery County, Maryland.Bag Tax
Retail stores must collect five cents for each paper or plastic bag provided to customers to carry out items purchased. This charge is made at the point of sale, pickup or delivery. Retailers retain 1 cent of each 5 cents for the bags they sell a customer. Retailers can use the Department of Finance
Bag Tax Registration and Payment System to remit this tax. Revenue from this charge are deposited into the County’s
Water Quality Protection Charge (WQPC) fund to offset litter cleanup costs
State Licensing
Visit the Maryland Department of Commerce for information on
statewide licenses for businesses engaged in retail trade.
Management Practices
Montgomery County regulates certain Business Operations related to employer-employee practices. Please be sure you are aware of the requirements as they apply to your business.
Beer and Wine Retail Stores
Managers of retail beer and wine stores must be fingerprinted as part of the licensing process.
Traders License Renewal
All
business licenses expire on April 30th regardless of when during the year they were purchased. All renewal licenses are effective on May 1st.
Process for remitting the Bag Tax
On or before the 25th day of each month, each retail establishment must remit the full amount collected for all carryout bags provided to a customer during the previous month, at a rate of 4 cents per bag. (Retailers retain 1 cent out of every 5 cents charged for the bags).
Note that retailers with low bag sales volume may pay at any time, but are required to pay after the amount due under this law exceeds $100 (when at least 2,500 bags have been paid for by customers).
Alcoholic Beverage Licenses
Applications for renewal of licenses must be filed between February 1 and March 31 of each year.
Business Personal Property Tax
Businesses must file a Business Personal Property Return every year, on April 15, regardless of whether they own property. The minimum fee to file the return is $300 per year. Businesses are automatically registered when they are formed and file articles of organization/incorporation with the State. A personal property tax bill is issued after the return is reviewed by the State of Maryland.