Starting A Business
Welcome to Edgewater! We are glad you are here!
The City of Edgewater wants you to be successful with your endeavor. We have many helpful resources.
The City of Edgewater is open for business!
Are you relocating your business to Edgewater?
Simply, follow these steps:
Step 1: Verify Zoning
If you already have your business created and you are looking for a location, before signing a lease or purchasing property, be sure to verify zoning and permitted land uses with the Development Services Department by calling 386-424-2400 ext. 1502.
You can view commercial locations and zoning and land use on this interactive map link.
Step 2: Create Your Company
Determine the legal structure of your business. The most common structures are Sole Proprietorships, General and Limited Partnerships, C and S Corporations and Limited Liability Companies. Research each thoroughly and consult a tax accountant and / or attorney prior to making your decision. If you incorporate or have employees, you will need to establish a Federal Employer Identification Number.
Internal Revenue Service149 S. Ridgewood Avenue
Daytona Beach, FL 32114
Phone: 386-254-7360
To set up an LLC, S-Corp, Partnership, etc. or to obtain a fictitious name visit the Florida Department of State Division of Corporations
You may need to acquire one or more of these licenses prior to applying for the City of Edgewater Business Tax Receipt and Certificate of Use (BTR). Once you have determined the type of business you wish to open, contact one or more of these regulatory agencies to determine if you need a state license or certification of competency. There are several agencies that regulate different types of businesses and more than 50 regulated professions that require state licensing.
You can search the State Licensing requirements for a specific business on the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services web site.
Below is a listing of the primary agencies:
Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DPBR)
Phone: 850-487-1395
Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (DACS)
Phone: 1-800-HELP-FLA (1-800-435-7352)
Department of Health
Phone: 386-424-2065
Department of Vehicle Repair Registration from Florida DACS
Phone: 1-800-HELP-FLA (1-800-435-7352)
Department of Financial Services
Phone: 1-877-MY-FL-CFO (1-877-693-5236) (insurance companies, banks, buy here pay here, finance companies and others).
Volusia County (Contractor Licensing)
Phone: 386-424-6828 option 2
Step 3: Edgewater Business Receipt and Certificate of Use
There are many types of licenses, both state and local, as well as professional, depending on the type of business you plan to operate.
One license, which is required for all businesses, is a Business Tax Receipt (BTR) to Local business tax document (formerly, Occupational License). A Business Tax (paid annually) is levied on each business operated within the city limits. The fee varies per city and per occupation but it is a requirement by most municipalities nationwide. There is one form for home based businesses and one form for non-home based businesses.
Before signing a lease or purchasing property, be sure to verify zoning and permitted land uses with the Development Services Department by calling 386-424-2400 ext. 1503
Business Tax Receipt Application (Commercial)
Business Tax Receipt Application (Home-Based)
City of Edgewater Finance Department
104 N. Riverside Drive Edgewater, FL 32132
Phone: 386-424-2400 X 1305
In addition to the Business Tax Receipt, the City Council has adopted a Certificate of Use Program for all businesses located within the City. This will give the City the ability to conduct Life Safety Inspections and act as a regulatory tool to ensure businesses are in compliance with City codes and ordinances. Fees that were previously collected as application processing and inspection fees will now be collected as the Certificate of Use fee. It should be noted that there will be a slight change in fees for the processing of the Certificate of Use for home based businesses.
WHAT DETERMINES THE AMOUNT OF THE BUSINESS TAX AND CERTIFICATE OF USE?
The type of business being conducted determines what your tax will be. The tax amount is set by City Ordinance and Resolution, taking into account other fees and licenses that may be required for the business. Commercial businesses also require inspections from the Fire and Utility Departments and incur fees associated with these inspections.
Certain individuals, age groups, and organizations are exempt from the Business Tax fee, but are still required to register and maintain a Certificate of Use.
Certificate of Use fees are as follows:
Original Certificate of Use: |
|
| Residential: | $31.50 |
| Commercial: | $52.50 |
Certificate of Use Renewal: |
|
| Residential: | $20.00 |
| Commercial: | $31.50 |
Please note:
Any profession that requires a state regulated license as well as any contractors requiring a Volusia County Specialty License, must have those prior to being issued a Business Tax License in Edgewater.
License / Inspection Compliance
You may be subject to other licenses or inspections depending on your type of business. It is in your best interest to fully disclose your proposed operation so that you are in compliance. Disclosure after you have opened your business could result in a shut down or unforeseen expenditures to become compliant.
Step 4: Contact Development Services
If you haven't already, be sure that you contact the City of Edgewater Development Services to make sure that you can operate your business within the City limits of Edgewater and determine the required type of zoning classification. Zoning changes sometimes occur once a property changes ownership. ONLY Development Services can give you the correct zoning regulations. The regulations are different for home based business. Development Services can assist you in determining if you can operate your business out of your home.
City of Edgewater Development Services
139 E. Park Avenue Edgewater, FL 32132
Phone: 386-424-2400 X 1503
Step 5: Programs and Incentives
The City of Edgewater has Programs and Incentives for businesses that locate in designated areas or for targeted industries. Contact the Office of Economic Development at 386-424-2400 X 1330 to determine if you are located in a special district.
Secure a location to operate your business that is properly zoned for your type of business.
Step 6: Other Agencies
If you have a business that could require additional permits such as eating / drinking establishments, use of chemicals, onsite disposal and treatment systems, including industrial manufacturing permits, contact the Florida Health Volusia County .
US Army Corps of Engineers permits are also necessary for any work, including construction and dredging, in the Nation's navigable waters. The Corps balances the reasonably foreseeable benefits and detriments of proposed projects, and makes permit decisions that recognize the essential values of the Nation's aquatic ecosystems to the general public, as well as the property rights of private citizens who want to use their land.
St. John’s Water Management District (SJRWMD) is a Florida regulatory agency established to preserve water resources.
Step 7: Taxes
You may be required to collect and remit taxes.
Every person who rents living accommodations located in Volusia County for a period of six months or less must register with the county.
Florida Sales Tax: Each rental, sale , admission charge, or storage is taxable unless the transaction is exempt. Sales tax is added to the price of the taxable goods or services.
Step 8: Volusia County Tax Receipt
Effective January 1, 2024, the ordinance requiring a Volusia County business tax receipt is repealed and a Volusia County business tax receipt is no longer required for any business located within Volusia County. For questions regarding whether a city business tax receipt is required for your business, please contact the city in which the business is physically located. For assistance with County business tax receipt records, please contact our office at 386-943-7085 or treasury@volusia.org.
Step 9: Business Plan and Marketing Plan
If you have never owned a business and have a great business idea, you might want to reach out and get some free advice first. Many Business Schools recommend that you do some research first and develop your Business Plan, Marketing & Advertising Plan, and Financial Forecasts. There are many resources locally available for free consulting to help you develop your plans.
SCORE is a nonprofit association dedicated to helping small businesses get off the ground, grow and achieve their goals through education and mentorship. SCORE has been doing this for more than 50 years. Because their work is supported by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), and thanks to their network of 10,000+ volunteers, SCORE is able to deliver our services at no charge or at a very low cost. Contact: Phone: 386-255-6889, e-mail info@score87.org
SBDC
Small Business Development Center of Daytona State College - Florida SBDC offers ‘no cost’ consulting at Daytona State College. Our consultants provide initial interviews in which a clients' needs, problems and opportunities are diagnosed and a plan is developed to fill those needs. Issues such as demographics, taxes, financing and marketing impact small businesses. Florida SBDC also offers workshops and seminars to small business owners, entrepreneurs and the community in order to help them succeed and grow. Topics range from business start-up, management techniques, record keeping, government contracting, marketing and social media. Whether you are starting, buying, growing or selling a business, Florida SBDC at Daytona State College can help. (Funded by U.S. Small Business Administration and most of their services are free) Phone: 386-506-4723 E-mail: sbdc@DaytonaState.edu
Powering Florida® Small Business Tool - Florida Power & Light added a new tool this year that directly supports small-medium businesses and entrepreneurs.
- Shows small businesses how they can grow and stay competitive in Florida
- Data and analysis packaged in easily understood format for busy small business owners
- Comparative data creates lists of prospective customers and suppliers, locations of competitors, market conditions
- Entrepreneurs can leverage data to build business and marketing plans
Additional Resources:
Southeast Volusia Chamber of Commerce serves the cities of Edgewater, New Smyrna Beach and Oak Hill
Space Commerce Opportunities visit https://www.sevolusia.com/
Volusia County Division of Economic Development provides assistance at no cost to businesses with the desire and potential for growth within Volusia County. The Division of Economic Development can help start-ups, second-stage, or maturing businesses directly or refer owners to other qualified organizations. Their web site also has many helpful resources, demographics and statistics. Small Business Assistance https://www.volusiabusinessresources.com/#
CareerSource Flagler | Volusia offers personnel recruitment and hiring services, and training cost reimbursement programs. You can place a job order, search the resume database, or perform a job match. You can utilize their website links to make informed workforce choices by staying current with local economic development issues, labor market information and state business laws. You can partner with CareerSource Flagler | Volusia to offset costs associated with training new employees and upgrading the skills of existing employees.
GrowFL - focuses its efforts on initiatives that strengthen the service offerings of entrepreneurial support organizations throughout Florida and by delivering critical research and strategy support to help second-stage growth entrepreneurs prosper.
Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) –is a program to assist women and minority-owned businesses. To determine eligibility as a minority vendor and become certified as a vendor in the State of Florida.
Volusia Manufacturers’ Association is the manufacturers trade alliance in Volusia County
UCF Business Incubator Program (Daytona Beach) The UCF Business Incubation Program features multiple business development locations to quickly and conveniently offer the tools, training and infrastructure to help you meet your business development goals.
The Florida MEP (Manufacturing Extension Partnership) - leverages a variety of public and private resources and services that are available to every manufacturing enterprise in the state. From strategic to tactical, and opportunity to solution, Florida MEP can assist with providing resources to help maximize profit.
Small Business Innovative Research Grant Assistance (SBIR)–provides matching funds to support the drafting of qualifying research grants to federal agencies.
Small Business Technology Transfer Program (STTR)–expands funding opportunities in the federal innovation research and development arena.
Matching Grants Research Program- The Florida High Tech Corridor Council (FHTCC) provides matching grants to companies interested in pursuing innovative research for product or technology development.
Team Volusia Economic Development Corporation is a public private partnership that serves as the business recruitment and marketing organization for Volusia County.
Enterprise Florida is the official Economic Development Organization for the State of Florida.
CEO Business Alliance is a community based philanthropic 501c6 corporation comprised of CEOs and Chairmen of boards of highly successful private-sector corporations located in Volusia County. The CEO of each of the Alliance sponsors has committed their financial resources and time to the single mission of expanding the local economy through job creation and retention.
