To start a business in Fort Lauderdale, form a Florida LLC at Sunbiz.org ($125), get a free EIN, and then get two local tax receipts: one from Broward County and, if you’re inside city limits, one from the City of Fort Lauderdale. That second receipt is the one people miss. Expect about $235 to $500 in filing costs and 2 to 3 weeks in total.
How do you start a business in Fort Lauderdale?
1. Form your Florida LLC. File Articles of Organization at Sunbiz.org. The fee is $125, processing takes 2 to 3 business days, and you’ll need a registered agent and your member or manager details.
2. Get your EIN. It’s free at IRS.gov and issued immediately online. Don’t pay anyone just for an EIN.
3. Get a Broward County business tax receipt. Apply through the Broward County Tax Collector online at Broward.org/RecordsTaxesTreasury or in person. Bring your business information, location address, state registration documents and owner details. Fees run $30 to $500 depending on business type, approval takes 1 to 5 days, and the receipt renews every October 1.
4. Get a City of Fort Lauderdale business tax receipt. Apply through the city’s Finance Department at 100 N. Andrews Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301. This one also takes 1 to 5 days.
5. Check zoning. Ask Fort Lauderdale Planning whether your use is allowed at the address, what parking you need and what signs you can put up. Do this before signing a lease, because no filing fixes a space where your business isn’t permitted.
6. Get industry permits.
| Business type | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Marine or boat | FWC licensing |
| Restaurant | Health permit |
| Alcohol | State and local |
| Construction | Contractor license |
| Healthcare | Professional boards |
Do you need both county and city tax receipts?
If you’re inside Fort Lauderdale city limits, yes. The county receipt doesn’t cover the city.
Other Broward cities, including Hollywood, Pembroke Pines, Coral Springs, Miramar, Pompano Beach and Plantation, have their own business tax requirements. Confirm which city your address is actually in before you apply.
What does it cost, and is it cheaper than Miami?
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Florida LLC | $125 |
| County business tax | $30-$500 |
| City business tax | $30-$200 |
| Registered agent | $49-$200/year |
| Minimum total | About $235-$500 |
Rent is the bigger number. Commercial space runs about $30 to $50 per square foot against $40 to $70 in Miami, parking costs less, and business tax is similar. Overall, expect costs 10-20% lower than Miami, which is still South Florida pricing.
Which part of town fits your business?
Downtown suits professional services and tech. Las Olas Boulevard is boutique retail, restaurants and galleries with a high-end clientele. Port Everglades draws cruise, import/export and logistics firms. The 17th Street Causeway and Marine Mile is the yacht sales, service, supply and storage cluster. Cypress Creek offers cheaper corporate and light industrial space with easy highway access.
Marine and tourism businesses
Fort Lauderdale is known as the “Yachting Capital of the World.” Boat brokerage, marine repair, yacht provisioning, charters, marine electronics and detailing all have customers here, but so do plenty of established competitors. Size them up first. The Marine Industries Association of South Florida and the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show are where you’ll meet them.
Tourism brings 13+ million visitors a year through the cruise port and the beaches. Peak season is winter, so plan cash flow for the slower months before you open, and pick a visible location if you’re selling to tourists rather than locals.
Sales tax in Broward County
The rate is 7%: 6% state plus 1% county. Register with the Florida Department of Revenue before your first taxable sale.
Where can you get help locally?
The Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance handles economic development, the Fort Lauderdale Chamber runs networking, FAU Tech Runway is a startup incubator, SCORE Broward offers mentoring, and NSU has an entrepreneur program.
Is Fort Lauderdale good for startups?
It’s a reasonable choice. The tech scene is growing, and you get access similar to Miami’s at lower cost.
Start your Fort Lauderdale business
IncCraft handles your Florida LLC formation for $0 + the $125 state filing fee, with registered agent service and compliance support included. Get the state filing done, then take your Sunbiz paperwork to the county.
Form your Florida LLC with IncCraft today.