Starting a Small Business in Lake Saint Louis: DBAs, Licenses and Permits

Welcome back to our series on .

This week, we're offering tips and resources on how to register your business name and obtain local licenses and permits. Next week, we’ll discuss how to deal with your business taxes.

Last week’s experts, and , are back with more tips for potential small business owners.

Now that you’ve , you’re ready to register your business name.

Registering Your ‘DBA’ Name

First, you’ll decide what to call your business—if you’ll be using a name other than your own, you’ll need to register it with the Secretary of State as a “fictitious name.”

That’s because, according to the U.S. Small Business Association (SBA), Missouri law requires “any person or business entity which transacts business in the state under a name other than their own ‘true name’ to register that business name with the Missouri Secretary of State as a Fictitious Name Registration.”

If your business is already incorporated but you want to do business under a different name, you’ll need a “Doing Business As” (DBA) name as well.

“The Secretary of State’s website makes it fairly easy both check availability of business entity names and to register them,” Coleman said.

Shoaf agreed, pointing out that “in the State of Missouri it is one of the simplest processes to complete.”

The Registration of Fictitious Name forms can be completed and submitted online at Missouri Secretary of State Robin Carnahan’s website.

“One word of caution, consult your tax professional and an attorney before filing,” Shoaf added. “This may save you some duplication of work and money in the long run.”

Registering Your Business with the City of Lake Saint Louis

The has a variety of forms that must be filled out, depending on the nature and type of your business. Most small businesses will need to complete the Business License Application to obtain the proper license to do business in town.

“It shall be unlawful for any person, either directly or indirectly, to conduct any business, trade, location, calling or occupation in whole or in part for which a license or permit is required until said license having been first procured and thereafter kept in effect at all times as required by this Article,” according to Title VI, Chapter 605, Article I, Section 605.010 of the Lake Saint Louis City Code.

This includes all businesses, with the exception of those that are specifically excluded by other codes. The city’s business licenses have to be renewed before July 1 each year.

The Business License Application can be found online at the city’s website in a PDF.

Other Lake Saint Louis Registrations You Might Need to Consider

Shoaf said that depending on the type of business you’re doing, you may need additional licenses and registrations.

“Lake Saint Louis may require special licensure based on your profession while others require none at all,” he said. “Examples would be a plumber usually has city and county licenses while in-home care (other than health care) does not require any license at all.”

• If your business is holding a special event, you’ll need to complete the Special/Temporary Event Promoter’s Permit and obtain approval from the city before the event commences and before you promote the event.
• If you have no employees or are otherwise exempt from having Worker’s Compensation Insurance, you’ll need to complete the Affidavit of Exemption for Worker’s Compensation Insurance form. You’ll need to receive approval from the city before opening your business.
• If you’re opening a tree service, arboricultural firm or any other business that is in the National Council on Compensation Insurance, Inc. classification, including tree pruning, spraying, all operations and drivers and intending to work on public or private property within the City of Lake Saint Louis, you’ll need to complete and receive approval on the Annual Arborist License Application before you service any clients in city limits.
• If you’ll be serving any liquor at your business, you’ll need to complete and receive approval on the Application for Liquor License before opening your doors. If you’re selling “intoxicating liquor at retail” by the drink for consumption at your location, it’ll cost you $450 per year. If you want to add Sunday sales to that, it’ll be an additional $300 per year. Other licenses are also available for varying sale conditions.  
• If you’ll go door-to-door or sell items or services on the street, you’ll need to complete and receive approval on the Application for Peddler and Solicitor Permit.
• If you want to hold a meeting or event at the Lake Saint Louis Civic Center, you’ll need to obtain a Resident Meeting Permit, plus pay a $100 cash deposit, which is refundable the next business day after an inspection is completed.

If you’re confused or want to ask for clarification on these various licenses and permits, you can contact Eric Sterman, Lake Saint Louis’ assistant city administrator by phone at 636-625-7933 or by email at esterman@lakesaintlouis.com.

In Case You Missed It

In case you’ve missed previous editions of our small business series, we have shared ideas for choosing a business concept, including the and .

We’ve also discussed and given tips and ideas on ways to find . We’ve covered , and last week, we discussed .

About the Experts

owns several locally-based businesses, including and .

Chris Coleman owns St. Louis-based FranNet, a company that helps would-be business owners choose and develop franchise businesses. FranNet's clients include several Lake Saint Louis area business owners, Coleman said.

Have you always dreamed of starting your own business? Subscribe to our daily newsletter so you won’t miss a single part of this ongoing series! Next week, we’ll offer tips and resources for handling your taxes as a small business owner.

Do you own your own business in Lake Saint Louis? We want to share your story with the community! Contact Patch reporter Angela Atkinson at angela.atkinson@patch.com to arrange for an interview.