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OVERVIEW

This guide has all the information you would need about running or opening a business in the City.

One important item to note is the dual jurisdiction of the City and Prince George’s County. In most cases, Prince George’s County should be your first stop for licenses and permits, but City staff is available to point you in the right direction as well. With more than $1 billion in private investment planned within the next five years, College Park is primed for success. Don’t miss out on your opportunity to join us.


INFO

Ryan Chelton, Economic Development Coordinator

240.487.3543
econdevelopment@collegeparkmd.gov

For questions about permits:
contact the Department of Public Services

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  1. Getting Started

Below is a startup Checklist to help orient and get you started!

  • Create a Business Plan
    • A crucial document that lays out your knowledge of the business including the concept, competition, financial projections, management structure, and marketing strategy. Additionally, your goals and strategies to accomplish them should be indicated. The plan is a tool to help pitch your business to investors, lenders, and possibly employees.             
  • Select a Location
    • When examining potential locations, it is important to ensure the space fits the needs of your operation. Factors to consider include loading, parking, tenant improvements, visibility, and zoning. Working with a consultant with expertise in these areas is advisable.
    • For information on available properties, see below under City Real Estate Opportunities. 
    • For questions related to zoning requirements, contact the City's Department of Planning, community and Economic Development. 
  • Register your Business Name and Structure
    • The first step in establishing a business in Maryland is to determine the most appropriate operational structure (e.g. partnership, corporation, limited liability company). Each has its own tax implications and legal liability; therefore, it is recommended that you consult with an attorney, accountant, or other professional adviser before making a decision.
    • The State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT) oversees the registration of both business names and structures. Information can be found through their website at www.dat.state.md.us or by phone at (410) 767-1340.
  • Register with Tax Authorities
    • Various taxes may be levied on businesses including employment, income, personal property, and sales. These taxes may be on the City, County, State, and/ or Federal levels. To determine the tax obligations for your business and to complete the necessary registration documents, contact the following:
      • For City, County, and State taxes, contact the Comptroller of Maryland at www.comp.state.md.us or (800) 638-2937.
      • For Federal taxes, visit the Internal Revenue Service’s website at www.irs.gov or call (800) 829-1040.
  • Create Employer Responsibilities
    • Hiring employees creates a new set of responsibilities for business owners, as they must register as an employer, pay additional taxes, obtain workers’ compensation insurance, and adhere to employee eligibility regulations among other items.
    • For a guide with steps to ensure your business is compliant with key regulations to hire employees, visit the U.S. Small Business Administration’s website at www.sba.gov/content/hire-your-first-employee
    • For assistance with finding and prescreening qualified applicants, contact the County’s Workforce Services Division at (301) 583-4650
  • Obtain Special Licenses and Permits
    • While a Maryland business license is required for most businesses, additional licenses may be required for activities such as alcohol sales, construction, dry cleaning, food service, plumbing, and many others.
    • To obtain a Maryland business license and determine whether other special licenses or permits are required visit the Department of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation’s website at www.dllr.state.md.us or call (410) 230-6001.
    • While the City does not license businesses, certain uses may be required to obtain a license from the County. Contact the Clerk of the Circuit Court at (301) 952-3331 for more information
  • Obtain a Liquor License (if applicable)
    • If your business plans to sell alcohol, you will need to obtain a liquor license through the County Board of License Commissioners. The Board issues licenses monthly at a public hearing and applications are accepted continuously for the majority of license types. For information on the process and license types, visit www.bolc.mypgc.us or call (301) 699-2770.
    • Additionally, a license and property use agreement from the City are also required for the sale of alcoholic beverages with the fee being 20% of the County fee. For information on the City’s licensing process, contact the Department of Public Services.
  • Obtain a Building Permit
    • If you intend to do any construction or renovations to your location, separate building permits from the City and County are required. The process begins with the Country through their Department of Permitting, Inspections, and Enforcement (DPIE). For information, visit www.princegeorgescountymd.gov/sites/dpie or call (301) 883-5900.
    • For every County permit issued for building or construction related activity, a City permit must also be obtained. For information the City process, contact visit the City's Department of Public Services.
  • Call for Inspections
    • Prior to the issuance of most permits, an inspection is required through the County’s Inspection Division of DPIE. Inspections may include building, electrical, fire, health, mechanical, and other applicable codes.
    • For information on the inspection process, visit www.princegeorgescountymd.gov/sites/dpie or call (301) 883-3820.
    • Plumbing inspections are handled separately by the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC). For information on this process, visit www.wsscwater.com or call (301) 206-4003
  • Obtain a Certificate of Occupancy
    • Prior to opening, businesses are required to have two occupancy permits: a Use and Occupancy (U&O) Permit issued by the County and an annual Non-Residential Occupancy Permit issued by the City. The City permit is issued to applicants that already have a valid U&O permit from the County.
    • To obtain the County permit, applicants need to visit the DPIE Permits Center at 9400 Peppercorn Place, Largo, MD 20774. The center offers a walk through process designed for efficiency and speed. For submittal requirements call (301) 883-5776. To obtain a City permit, contact the Department of Public Services for more information.
  • Open your Business
    • Once you have completed the previous steps, your business should be ready to open its doors. As your business gets settled in College Park, the City’s Economic Development is available as a resource with training seminars, grant opportunities, and much more. 
    • Thank you for choosing College Park as the home for your business. We look forward to working with you to ensure your business reaches its fullest potential.
  1. Licenses & Permits

Prior to construction or opening up your businesses, all businesses are legally required to have completed and up-to-date licenses and permits from the City, County and State if applicable. 

  1. Business Licenses
  2. Occupancy Permits
  3. Building & Construction Permit
  4. Signage Permits
  5. Other Permits/ Variances
  1. Business Licenses

A State of Maryland Business License is required for most businesses, including retailers and wholesalers. A traders license is required for buying and re-selling. Business activities that require licenses include, but are not limited to: amusements; auctions; chain stores; construction; dry cleaners; farm machinery; garages; hawkers and peddlers; junk dealers; plumbing and gas fitters; restaurants; retail stores; storage warehouses; traders; and, vending machines. To determine whether your particular business activity requires licensing by the State, and needs to have any additional licenses and permits, contact the Clerk of the Circuit Court in the county in which your business will be located.

The City of College Park does not license businesses. However, certain businesses may be required to obtain a valid Prince George's County Business License. To determine if your business requires this license please contact the Clerk of the Circuit Court at 301-952-3331.

You can get more information on State and local business license requirements from:
Department of Business and Economic Development
Department of Labor Licensing and Regulation

Applications for the Maryland business license may be obtained from the Clerk of the Circuit Court in the county in which your business will be located.

Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation
500 N. Calvert Street
Baltimore, Maryland 21202
Telephone: (410) 230-6000
http://www.dllr.state.md.us

If your business sells alcoholic beverages, solicits, uses amusement devices, is temporary or is a mobile vendor, you will need a City Amusement, Mobile, Vendor, Solicitor and Liquor license.

  1. Occupancy Permits

Every business owner in the City is required to have two occupancy permits: a Use and Occupancy Permit (“U & O”) issued by Prince George’s County Department of Permitting, Inspections, and Enforcement (DPIE) and an annual Non-Residential Occupancy Permit issued by the City of College Park. The City’s Non-Residential Occupancy Permit is issued to applicants who have a valid DPIE Use and Occupancy Permit.

  • To obtain a County Use and Occupancy Permit (“U & O”) from Prince George’s County DPIE, call at (301) 883-5776 or by visiting the Permits Center at 9400 Peppercorn Place, 1st Floor, Largo, MD, 20774. The permit center offers a walk-through process designed to make your application process fast and efficient.
    • When applying for a Use and Occupancy Permit (“U & O”) from the County, consider the following:
      • A non-refundable filing fee will be required to process your permit application.
      • Applicants must supply two (2) copies of their site plan and the land/tax account number with their application.
  • To obtain a site plan or account number, contact the Prince George’s County Planning Department at 14741 Governor Oden Bowie Drive, Upper Marlboro, MD, 20772 or by calling (301) 952-3594.
    • The “U & O” is a one-time permit, unless business ownership or use changes.
    • The “U & O” must be properly displayed at the business site.
    • In order to complete your permit application, schedule an inspection by contacting the Zoning Enforcement Section of the Property Standards Group at (301) 883-6043.
  • To obtain an annual City Non-Residential Occupancy Permit, you must complete a Commercial Inspection Information Sheet from the City’s Department of Public Services. When obtaining a City Non-Residential Occupancy Permit, consider the following:
    • You must show a copy of your valid County Use and Occupancy Permit to complete your City permit application.
    • A fee is required to receive your City Non-Residential Occupancy Permit.
    • After submitting your Commercial Inspection Information Sheet, an inspection will be scheduled.
    • Non-Residential Occupancy Permits must be renewed annually, or you may be subject to City fines. A fee is required with each renewal application.
  • For those renting homes or apartments: Every property in the City that houses anyone other than the owner and/or his or her immediate family, or a property occupied by the owner who rents rooms to 3 or more individuals is required to have a Residential Occupancy Permit and to undergo annual inspections to ensure compliance with life safety codes.    Please contact the City's Department of Public Services for details. 
    • You must also fill out a Usage and Intention Statement.
    • If the building or home was built prior to 1978, you are required to be compliant with the Department of the Environment's Lead Rental Registration from the State of Maryland.  You will need to fill out the City's Local Rental Registry Checklist as well. 
  1. Building & Construction Permit

If you intend to do any construction, renovations, alterations, removal or demolition to your proposed site, separate building permits from both the County and City are required. County Construction Permits may be obtained from the DPIE’s Permits Center at 9400 Peppercorn Place, 1st Floor, Largo, MD, 20774. Discuss with the Permits Center your planned construction to determine which specific permits are required. You may be able to apply for your County Use and Occupancy Permit and Construction permits at the same time. Check with the Permits Center to determine the business days and times to apply.

For every County permit issued for building or construction related activity, a City permit must also be obtained. A City Permit Application can be obtained and submitted to the City’s Department of Public Services.

See below for all building and construction permits.
Construction and Sign Permit Application
Dumpster and Storage Application

  1. Signage Permits

Every business with exterior signage is required to have two sign permits: a Sign Permit issued by Prince George’s County DPIE and a Sign Permit issued by City of College Park.

  • To obtain a County Sign Permit from Prince George’s County DPIE, contact DPIE's Permits and Review Group by visiting the DER’s Permits Center at 9400 Peppercorn Place, 1st Floor, Largo, MD, 20774. Sign Permits may be walked through on any regular business day, but call the office to confirm exact times. When obtaining a County Sign Permit, applicants must supply site plans, specific sign drawings, and a fee.
  • After securing County approval for your sign(s), it will be necessary to obtain a City Sign Permit for each individual sign you plan to display. A City Permit Application can be obtained and submitted to City’s Department of Public Services
  1. Other Permits/ Variances

Based on your business use, several other County and City permits may be required to operate your business. Discuss at the County Permits Center your intended use to ensure that all required permits have been obtained. If a County permit is administered, check with the City’s Department of Public Services to determine if a similar City permit is required.

APPLICATIONS FOR variances & commercial Departures

Departure from Sign Design Standards Application
Departure from the Number of Parking and/or Loading Spaces Application
Departure from Design Standards Parking and/or Loading & Landscaping Application
Small Business Financial Hardship Waiver Request
Nonconforming Use Certification Application

Are you planning to operate a business from your home, and need to know if a permit is required?
Some home occupations require County Use and Occupancy permits and some do not. Call the County Planning Information Services at (301) 952-3208 or the DPIE at (301) 952-3195 to determine whether your home business applies. If a DPIE Use and Occupancy Permit is required, a City Non-Residential Occupancy Permit is also required.

  1. Business & Development Assistance & Incentives
  1. City
  2. Prince George's County
  1. City

Revitalization Tax Credit Program

As part of the City of College Park’s effort to attract high-quality redevelopment, the Revitalization Tax Credit Program provides financial incentives by creating revitalization districts in the City and setting criteria for granting property tax credits against the municipal corporation property tax imposed on city real property.

Qualifying projects are eligible to receive a 5-year tax credit on city real property taxes based on the increased assessment attributed to the taxable improvements upon project completion as determined by the Supervisor of Assessments. The tax credit shall be in an amount equal to 75% of the increased assessment of city tax imposed in the first year; 60% in the second year; 45% in the third year; 30% in the fourth year; and 15% in the fifth year.

Use the following links to view guidelines and an application for the program.

For more information about these programs contact the City’s Economic Development.

  1. Prince George's County
Prince George’s County Revitalization Tax Credit
Economic Development Incentive Fund
New Market Tax Credits
This program encourages redevelopment and investment in inner-beltway communities, as the credits are available in all census tracts where the median income does not exceed the County’s median. All of College Park is eligible, except for the Hollywood neighborhood and areas north of Cherry Hill Road. Eligible improvements to real property located within qualified areas shall be allowed a tax credit on County real property taxes.
The $50 million fund is for the expansion of the County’s commercial tax base, promotion of major development and redevelopment opportunities, TOD development, job retention and attraction, and growth of key industry sectors.
Although these tax credits are federally provided, the Prince George’s County Community Capital Corporation is the local intermediary, which applies to the U.S. Treasury Department to receive New Market Tax Credits (NMTC). These tax credits can be used in variety of ways to facilitate a project by providing an additional equity or financing source.  This program is a joint venture between the Redevelopment Authority and the Financial Services Corporation.


Although these tax credits are federally provided, the Prince George’s County Community Capital Corporation is the local intermediary, which applies to the U.S. Treasury Department to receive New Market Tax Credits (NMTC). These tax credits can be used in variety of ways to facilitate a project by providing an additional equity or financing source.  This program is a joint venture between the Redevelopment Authority and the Financial Services Corporation.

  1. HUB Zone

The majority of the City of College Park is qualified for the Historically Underutilized Business Zones (HUBZone) program which helps small businesses in urban and rural communities gain preferential access to federal procurement opportunities. These preferences go to small businesses that obtain HUBZone certification in part by employing staff who live in a HUBZone. The company must also maintain a "principal office" in one of these specially designated areas.

Characteristics of a HUBZone
The areas in College Park that are qualified for HUBZone Businesses are shown in the map below. Due to the City of College Park's large student population, we expect College Park to remain a qualified census tract for the foreseeable future.

What Makes a Business Eligible for the HUBZone Program?
To qualify for the program, a business (except tribally-owned concerns) must meet the following criteria:

  • It must be a small business by SBA standards
  • It must be owned and controlled at least 51% by U.S. citizens, or a Community Development Corporation, or an agricultural cooperative or an Indian tribe
  • Its principal office must be located within a “Historically Underutilized Business Zone,” which includes lands considered “Indian Country” and military facilities closed by the Base Realignment and Closure Act
  • At least 35% of its employees must reside in a HUBZone

Visit Understanding the HUBZone Program for more information about the program.

Benefits of the HUBZone Program
The program’s benefits for HUBZone-certified companies include

  • Competitive and sole source contracting
  • 10% price evaluation preference in full and open contract competitions, as well as subcontracting opportunities.

The federal government has a goal of awarding 3% of all dollars for federal prime contracts to HUBZone-certified small business concerns.

To Apply for HUBZone
To apply for the HUBZone program visit, Applying for the HUBZone Program for instructions and the online form. To look for HUBZone opportunities click here. In the search, choose the set-aside code as "HUBZone."

Maintain Your HUBZone Certification
If you are already a part of the HUBZone program, that is great news. Just remember that the HUBZone certification is not permanent. To learn how to recertify or decertify, visit Maintaining the HUBZone Certification.

Finding Your HUBZone Space
For spaces available for sale or lease within the HUBZone area, please speak with the City Economic Development Coordinator.

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