You have your business plan ready. You have gathered all your resources, decided where to place it on the map. Your business is now ready to roll. All that is left now is to get the necessary legal requirements needed. That includes your business permit.
The business permit (or sometimes called the mayor’s permit) is a Philippine law requirement that is needed to be fulfilled before you would be able to conduct business. It is necessary that you apply for one in the city or municipality where your business is located.
But the process of getting your business permit can be long and arduous. Fortunately for you, we have listed all the necessary papers you should obtain, and the process of getting one. Let’s take a look at them.
Gather the prerequisites
Before you apply for the mayor’s permit, you need to settle two major things first: your business name should be registered to the Department of Trade and Industries (DTI) especially if you are a sole proprietor or a new applicant, and Barangay clearance where you will place your business. The two have separate processes you need to fulfil before obtaining their papers, but it’s pretty sure the barangay clearance is an easy chore to make.
There are still more paper works to be done before you apply for your mayor’s permit. Below is your checklist for all the other requirements you should have in hand:
- A Lease Contract where your business will be placed. If you own the place, submit a copy of the Transfer Certificate of Title or Tax Declaration.
- A sketch of your businesses’ location
- An occupancy permit
- Locational Clearance. Get this at the Zoning Office of the city or municipality hall where your business is located. Fill out its application form and submit it together with the DTI, barangay clearance, and the three requirements above. This will be released within 3 days, but may extend up to 5 days if inspection is necessary
- Public Liability Insurance. You can buy one from an accredited insurance company
- Community Tax Certificate (Cedula) – you can get this at the City Treasurer’s Office in the same city hall.
- Fire Permit, and Sanitary Permit
- Still other requirements, which will depend on the type of your business, which includes:
- National Grains Authority license for dealership of rice, corn, & wheat.
- Bureau of Food and Drug Administration permit for drugstores / bakeries.
- Accreditation by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in cases of auto repair shops, electronics, radio and other electrical equipment services.
- Real Estate Broker’s License issued by the DTI for real estate brokerage firms.
- Pest Control License for Pest Control Services.
- PCSUCIA (National License) for Security Agencies.
- LTO Franchising and Regulatory Board permit for transport services.
- Energy Regulatory Board (ERB) for LPG dealerships.
Now that you have these ready, you are all set to go to your city or municipality hall for the mayor’s permit.
Getting your mayors permit
There is generally a flow of things to be done to register for your mayor’s permit. Listed below is a quick and easy walkthrough to guide you. Keep in mind though that each local government unit may have different procedures.
- Once you get to your city Hall or municipality Hall where you placed business, ask where to find the Business Permits and Licensing Office (BPLO).
- From there, get, complete a business registration form, get it notarized, and submit it together with all the requirements listed above. Applications for fire and sanitation permits will come later.
- The licensing officer will assess necessary taxes, fees and charges.
- Submit your completed registration application form and assessment of fees to the receiving window of the BPLO. An acknowledgment of receipt of application will be given to you.
- Head to the treasury office/cashier and pay the necessary fees. Don’t forget to secure your receipt; it is necessary for the steps below.
- Once paid, head to the fire department for the request and issuance of your fire permit. Don’t forget you receipt.
- Also head to the health department for the request and issuance of your health and sanitation permit. Again, don’t forget your receipt.
- Basically you’re done from here! Come back to the city hall, depending on what the licensing officer would tell you about the number of days you are advised for the processing of your Business / Mayor’s Permit and other required permits and/or licenses
Now that you have secured three main papers – your business name registered to the DTI, your barangay permit, and your mayor’s permit, you need to process your business Tax Identification number next, for you to be able to legally transact with your customers.
We hope this guide helps you on your way to acquire your business permit.