Utah city guide

How to start a business in St. George, Utah

Here is the order of operations for starting a business in St. George, with the city license steps and current fees.

Before the city: register with the state

Your state registration comes first. File your entity through Utah's OneStop Business Registration system, where the LLC Certificate of Organization costs $59. Get your free federal EIN from the IRS, then open a Utah sales tax account if you sell taxable goods or services.

Read the full Utah state guide for every step and current fee.

St. George business license steps

1. Register your entity with the State of Utah through OneStop.
2. Apply for your St. George business license through the city's online licensing portal (Citizenserve). All businesses operating in city limits need one, including home based businesses.
3. Home based businesses complete the home occupation requirements as part of the application.
4. Some business types need additional approvals before the license issues, such as food service, alcohol, and certain regulated trades.
5. Once approved, your license renews annually. Complete the renewal form before paying so the fee calculates correctly.

What it costs

The general license fee starts around $50 for the year, with an added per employee fee. Businesses grossing under $3,000 a year and nonprofits are exempt from the fee. Start six months or more into the license year and the fee is cut in half.

Fees are set by the city and change. Confirm the current amount when you apply.

Who to contact

Business Licensing, City of St. George, City Hall, 61 South Main Street, St. George, UT 84770. Phone 435-627-4740.

Located outside city limits in unincorporated Washington County? License through the Washington County Clerk/Auditor, 111 East Tabernacle, St. George. Phone 435-301-7220.

Local resources

• Dixie Regional chamber and area chambers of commerce
• Small Business Development Center at Utah Tech
• SCORE mentors
• Washington County Economic Development

Year one cash flow

Most new businesses fail because cash runs out, not because the product was bad. Keep fixed costs low in year one. Invoice the day work is finished and follow up on late payments. Some Utah businesses join a trade exchange to turn unsold time and inventory into purchasing power.

Common questions