To start a business in Orlando, form a Florida LLC at Sunbiz ($125), get a free EIN, and then get a Business Tax Receipt from the Orange County Tax Collector. If you’re inside City of Orlando limits, you need a city receipt as well. Expect roughly $200-$400 in formation costs and two to four weeks before you’re ready to open.
How do you start a business in Orlando?
1. Form your Florida LLC
File Articles of Organization at Sunbiz.org. The fee is $125 and processing takes 2-3 business days. Include a business name with “LLC”, a principal address, your registered agent and member or manager information.
2. Get your EIN
It’s free at IRS.gov, you get it immediately online, and you’ll need it for banking and taxes.
3. Get an Orange County Business Tax Receipt
Every business in Orange County needs one. Apply through the Orange County Tax Collector online or in person at one of its locations. Have your business details, state formation documents and employee count ready.
Fees run $25-$500+ depending on your business classification. Renewal is October 1 each year.
4. Add a City of Orlando receipt if it applies
Inside City of Orlando limits, you need both the county and the city receipt. Winter Park, Kissimmee and Altamonte Springs each have separate requirements, so check which jurisdiction your address falls in first.
5. Check zoning before you sign a lease
Contact Orange County Planning, or City of Orlando Development Services inside the city, to confirm your use is permitted and whether special requirements apply. It’s a phone call now versus a lease you can’t use later.
6. Get industry-specific licenses
| Business type | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Restaurant | Health permit, fire inspection |
| Retail | Sales tax permit |
| Alcohol | State liquor license, local approval |
| Construction | Contractor license |
| Healthcare | Professional licensing |
| Tourism | Tour operator permits |
The LLC takes 2-3 days, the EIN is same-day and the county receipt takes 1-5 days. City permits add 1-2 weeks. Industry permits vary, and they’re usually what decides your opening date.
How much does it cost to start a business in Orlando?
| Item | To get started | Every year after |
|---|---|---|
| Florida LLC formation | $125 | – |
| Florida annual report | – | $138.75 |
| Orange County business tax | $25-$500 | $25-$500 |
| City business tax (if applicable) | $25-$200 | $25-$200 |
| EIN | Free | – |
| Registered agent | $49-$200 | $49-$200 |
| Insurance | – | Varies |
The minimum is roughly $200-$400. Total startup costs vary widely by business type.
What taxes apply in Orange County?
Sales tax in Orange County is 6.5%: the 6% state rate plus a 0.5% county surtax. Register with the Florida Department of Revenue before your first taxable sale.
Short-term accommodations, including vacation rentals, also owe the 6% tourist development tax on top of sales tax.
Where should an Orlando business set up?
Downtown Orlando suits professional services and tech companies. Lake Nona, built around the Medical City development, draws healthcare and biotech. Winter Park has an affluent customer base and boutique retail, and it’s a separate city with its own requirements. Sand Lake Road’s Restaurant Row is a dining destination with heavy competition but real traffic.
International Drive gets the most attention and the highest rents. The visibility is real, but so is the competition. We’d make sure your numbers work at I-Drive rents before you chase the tourist foot traffic.
How do you plan for tourism seasons?
Orlando’s peaks are spring break, summer and the holidays. September and February are slower. Plan cash flow around those cycles, and add hurricane season (June through November) to the plan with a continuity plan and the right insurance.
What do you need before hiring?
Florida reemployment tax registration, workers’ compensation insurance, new hire reporting and federal payroll compliance. Valencia College workforce programs and the University of Central Florida are the main local talent pipelines.
For free or low-cost help, try SCORE Orlando for mentoring, the Florida SBDC at UCF for training, the UCF Business Incubation Program for startups, the Orlando Economic Partnership and the Orlando Regional Chamber.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need both county and city business licenses in Orlando?
If you’re within City of Orlando limits, yes. If you’re in unincorporated Orange County, you only need the county tax receipt.
Can I run a home-based business in Orlando?
Yes, with restrictions. Check the zoning rules for your specific neighborhood.
Is Orlando good for tech startups?
Yes. The tech scene is growing, UCF supplies talent, and costs are lower than Miami.
Start your Orlando business with IncCraft
IncCraft handles your Florida LLC formation for $0 + the $125 state filing fee. We include registered agent service and compliance support, so once Sunbiz approves your LLC you can go straight to the Orange County receipt.
Form your Florida LLC with IncCraft today.