Starting a Business in Sioux Falls: Licenses, Registrations & Checklist
A step-by-step plan to open a business in Sioux Falls: what to file first, what depends on what, and which permits come before opening day. Change the business details to fit yours.
Permits and registrations specific to Sioux Falls, SD
- City business license — Sioux Falls, Lincoln County, South Dakota · City finance office: Sioux Falls / Lincoln County (city)
- Obtain certificate of occupancy for premises in Sioux Falls · Sioux Falls (Lincoln County) building department (city)
- Form the business: South Dakota Secretary of State
- Register for state taxes: South Dakota Department of Revenue
- Register as an employer: South Dakota Department of Labor & Regulation
Startup sequence and prerequisites in Sioux Falls
Based on your selections, this plan has 10 steps. What you file first decides what you can do next: later registrations and licenses wait on the ones below.
Do these first
- Maintain a registered agent in South Dakota
- File formation documents with the South Dakota Secretary of State
- Obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN)
Then, once those are done
- Register for and file South Dakota entity-level taxes — after: Obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN)
- Notify residents and regulators of a data breach within 60 days (South Dakota) — after: Obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN)
- City business license — Sioux Falls, Lincoln County, South Dakota — after: Obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN)
- Obtain certificate of occupancy for premises in Sioux Falls — after: Obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN)
Known charges: $55.00 per year.
Total incomplete: some fees unknown
9 of 10 steps have no fee amount in our data. The figures above count only the 1 step with a recorded fee. Check each agency's fee schedule.
Common questions about Sioux Falls
The state licenses your industry through its own regulator, and the city and county add local permits. These are the authorities and local items on record for Sioux Falls:
- Real estate licensing: South Dakota Real Estate Commission
- Alcohol licensing: South Dakota Department of Revenue (with local licensing)
- Child care licensing: South Dakota Department of Social Services
- Health facility licensing: South Dakota Department of Health
- City business license — Sioux Falls, Lincoln County, South Dakota (City finance office: Sioux Falls / Lincoln County, city)
- Obtain certificate of occupancy for premises in Sioux Falls (Sioux Falls (Lincoln County) building department, city)
With your current selections, the licenses and permits are: City business license — Sioux Falls, Lincoln County, South Dakota; Obtain certificate of occupancy for premises in Sioux Falls. Change the industry above to see yours.
Sources: sdsos.gov, dor.sd.gov, dlr.sd.gov
Formation comes first; tax, license and employer registrations wait on it. In your plan the first steps are:
- Maintain a registered agent in South Dakota
- File formation documents with the South Dakota Secretary of State
- Obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN)
Sources: sdsos.gov, dor.sd.gov
Known government fees for your plan: $0.00 one-time and $55.00 per year.
Steps without a recorded fee are not counted, so check each agency's fee schedule before you budget.
Sources: sdsos.gov, dor.sd.gov
In your plan for Sioux Falls, requirements come from four levels. South Dakota sets formation, state taxes and employer rules; the city and county add local licenses and taxes.
- Federal (2): Obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN); File federal income tax return: Form 1040 with Schedule C
- State (5): Maintain a registered agent in South Dakota; File Annual Report (South Dakota); Register for and file South Dakota entity-level taxes; File the annual unclaimed property holder report (South Dakota)…
- City (2): City business license — Sioux Falls, Lincoln County, South Dakota; Obtain certificate of occupancy for premises in Sioux Falls
Sources: sdsos.gov, dor.sd.gov
- Register for unemployment insurance with South Dakota Department of Labor & Regulation.
- Workers' compensation: South Dakota Division of Labor and Management. Required when: Optional (not required by state law; uninsured employers can be sued in tort)
Sources: dlr.sd.gov, dlr.sd.gov