What Does a Business License Cost in New Hampshire?

Restaurants are among the many businesses in New Hampshire that must have licenses.

All new businesses in New Hampshire must register with the Secretary of State's Corporation Division. Businesses may also be required to obtain a license. The cost of a license depends on the business type. Some licenses are as little as $50 while others may cost thousands of dollars. The state's provides forms for all license registrations online.

Alcohol and Tobacco

No business or individual can sell liquor, wine or tobacco products in the state without obtaining a license. Fees vary depending on the type of establishment. Businesses that organize short-term events, such as caterers and beer festival organizers, pay the lowest fees. A one-day beer festival license costs $250, as of February 2011. Social, private and veterans clubs must also pay liquor fees. A tobacco retailer must pay $840. With the exception of some wine and liquor stores, convention centers and racetracks pay the highest fees. Convention centers pay $2,400 while businesses classified as "racetrack/pari-mutuel" pay $3,000. The fees for retail wine and liquor stores depend on the number of registers in the store and their annual beverage sales. For vendors that sell less than 1,000 cases per year, the license fee is $300 (not including cash register fees). Vendors that sell over 50,000 cases per year pay $12,000. Companies with wine and liquor representatives must also pay license fees that range from $500 to $1,000. The cost depends on the number of representatives.

Licensed Occupations for Professional Services

Dozens of occupations, from architects to wildlife control operators, require New Hampshire licenses. If a New Hampshire resident wants to start a business in any of these occupations, he must have an up-to-date license to legally provide services. The state publishes a book that includes guidelines, information on fees and renewals, exam requirements and continuing education details. The guidebook is available online. Fees range from as little as $50 for an architect or $100 for a funeral director to several hundred dollars. For example, a certified public accountant will pay $275 for a license. Renewal fees for licenses may cost more than the initial license.

Food Service

Businesses that sells food must comply with New Hampshire Food Protection laws and be licensed. Restaurants, caterers, grocery stores, bakeries, schools, dairy producers, mobile food units and government institutions that provide food must apply for a food service license and renew it every year. Businesses are divided into nine classes from large restaurants to bars and lounges. Schools have a separate classification. Businesses that commercially process over 100,000 units of food per year pay a fee of $875. Small kitchen businesses that have less than $5,000 in sales per year pay $50 for a license. Bars and lounges that sell prepackaged food and do not have a kitchen pay $100.

Bottlers

Companies that fill bottles and cans with beverages must obtain a license in New Hampshire. Licensing regulations also apply to bottlers not based in the state. The state classifies bottlers according to how many gallons of beverages are processed per day. In-state bottler fees range from $75 to $300. Non-resident vendors pay a license registration fee of $400.

References

• State of New Hampshire: Licensed, Certified, & Registered Occupations in New Hampshire
• State of New Hampshire: Doing Business
• State of New Hampshire Revised Statutes: TITLE XIII Alcoholic Beverages Chapter 178 Liquor Licenses and Fees
• State of New Hampshire Division of Public Health Services: Food Protection Section: Application for Annual Food Service License
• State of New Hampshire Division of Public Health Services: Beverage & Bottled Water: Licensing