Step 1: Plan for Your Business
Obtain Personalized assistance on starting a business in Largo by contacting largo Economic Development at 727-586-7360. Available assistance includes site selection, annexation, permit assistance, demographics and more.
Need technical or advanced assistance? Pinellas County Economic Development's Small Business Center offers startup workshops and one-on-one counseling on opening a new business. call 727-452-7200 for a consulting appointment, or visit www.pced.org for free and low-cost workshop information.
Step 2: Check Before You Lease or Buy Commercial Space for Your Business
Contact Largo's Planner-On-Call desk to make sure your business is an allowable land use under the City's Comprehensive Development Code and the property's land use designation. Call 727-587-6749 Ext. 7301.
Contact the Building Division at 727-586-7488 to see if your business is a change of building use and to inquire about the type of permitting required before opening your business. Contact the Fire Department at 727-587-6714 to ascertain code requirements.
If you will be opening a home-based business, you may be able to obtain a Home Office of Convenience Business Tax Receipt (BTR) which requires no inspection of the residence. If you are part of a Home Owners Association or are in a rental, you will want to check with the board or ownership first if they limit client visits or work vehicles.
Adding square footage to your business or constructing a new building?
The City offers two processes for adding on to your building footprint based on the square footage being added to the property. A small scale review process and a large scale development review process are offered for eligible additions and redevelopments. Complimentary assistance is provided for new development and redevelopment through the Pre-Development Review Committee Meetings held twice monthly at Largo City Hall. For more details on the process, please contact the Planner-On-Call desk at 727-587-6749 Ext. 7301.
Do you need a grease trap?
Existing or new food service businesses may need a grease trap/interceptor per the City's Grease Management Program. Contact Environmental services at 727-518-3082 for details.
Will your business need signage?
Contact the Planner-On-Call desk for standards, regulations, permitting and more.
Step 3: Open for Business
Register your LLC, corporate name or fictitious business name at Sunbiz.org. If you are using a DBA, you must register also. Proof of registration is needed in order to conduct business in Largo.
Apply for any needed state licenses. Some professionals are required by the State of Florida to be licensed in order to do business. Please contact the appropriate state agencies for assistance.
After applying for any applicable building permits, but before you move in, you will need to apply for a Certificate of Occupancy and Business Tax Receipt (BTR). The Certificate of Occupancy allows you to legally occupy the building space, and the BTR permits your business to operate on a yearly basis in Largo.
The Building Division will call you when your Certificate of Occupancy/Business Tax Receipt is ready to be issued and the customer service representative will notify you of the fees due for your BTR.
The BTR does more than allow you to operate a business in the City of Largo. It also provides the Police Department, Fire Rescue and Emergency Medical Services critical information so they can help you better in emergency situations.
Grow Your Business
Contact the Planner-On-Call desk about signage, special events, and other business promotion activities at 727-587-6749 Ext. 7301.
Renew your Business Tax Receipt by September 30 every year and any other annual local or state licenses or permits on a timely basis to avoid unnecessary delay.
Get involved and get to know your fellow business owners and community. Network and meet with other entrepreneurs through business and professional trade groups. Organizations such as the Central Pinellas Chamber of Commerce, Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE), and the Small Business Development Center (SBDC), can connect you will other professionals and help you with the tools you need to meet customers and get your business name out to the community. Largo Recreation, Parks and Arts also has opportunities for businesses to get involved. Don't forget to check out Largo's Sustainable Business Guide!