NEW BUSINESS CHECKLISTS
LEE COUNTY, FLORIDA
The following is a Step-By-Step Guide for all New Businesses in Lee County, FL:
1. Register the Business with the Florida Department of State of FL (Sunbiz)
Website: https://dos.fl.gov/sunbiz/start-business/
Phone: (850) 245-6000
2. Apply for a Business Tax Receipt through Lee County (the application is referred to as Local
Business Tax License). Estero approves the zoning on the application. This is required before
submitting the Local Business Tax License to a Lee County Tax Collector.
Website: https://leetc.com/businesses/business-tax-guide-and-applications/
Phone: (239) 533-6000
3. Apply for a Certificate of Use which is required for all new occupancies or a change of
occupancy (the application is referred to as a Use Permit). During the review of the Use
Permit staff determine whether the business is a permitted use for the zoning district.
Website: https://estero-fl.gov/community-development-zoning-applications/
Phone: (239) 221-5036
4. Apply for a Remodel Permit (if applicable). If there are any walls in a unit being removed, or
any changes to electrical or plumbing then the tenant will need to apply for a Remodel Permit
with the Village of Estero Permitting Department.
Website: https://estero-fl.gov/building-permit-application/
Phone: (239) 221-5036
5. Apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN).
Website: https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/apply-for-
an-employer-identification-number-ein-online
Phone: (800) 829-4933
6. File a Beneficial Ownership Information Report (if applicable to your business).
Website: https://www.fincen.gov/
Phone: (800) 767-2825
7. Obtain Insurance Coverage for your business and employees as applicable.
8. Transfer Local Utilities:
Water: Lee County Utilities https://www.leegov.com/utilities/start (239) 533-8845
Electricity: Florida Power & Light https://www.fpl.com (800) 226-3545
Internet: Comcast https://business.comcast.com/learn/internet (855) 254-3770
COLLIER COUNTY, FLORIDA
The following is a Step-By-Step Guide for all New Businesses in Collier County, FL:
1. Register the Business with the Florida Department of State of FL (Sunbiz)
Website: https://dos.fl.gov/sunbiz/start-business/
Phone: (850) 245-6000
2. Apply for a Business Tax Receipt through Collier County by filing an application at the
Business Tax Receipt Office, 2800 N. Horseshoe Drive.
Website: https://colliertaxcollector.com/business-tax-receipts/
Phone: (239) 252-8171
3. Obtain Zoning Certificate Approval from the Business Center Zoning Front Desk, also
located at 2800 N. Horseshoe Drive.
Website: https://www.colliercountyfl.gov/government/growth-
management/divisions/operations-regulatory-management/business-center
Phone: (239) 252-2400
4. Obtain a Fire Inspection from the Greater Naples Fire District.
Website: https://www.greaternaplesfire.org/
Phone: (239) 348-7540
5. Apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN).
Website: https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/apply-for-
an-employer-identification-number-ein-online
Phone: (800) 829-4933
6. File a Beneficial Ownership Information Report (if applicable to your business).
Website: https://www.fincen.gov/
Phone: (800) 767-2825
7. Obtain Insurance Coverage for your business and employees as applicable.
8. Transfer Local Utilities:
Water: Collier County Utilities https://www.colliercountyfl.gov/government/public-
utilities (239) 252-2380
Electricity: Florida Power & Light https://www.fpl.com (800) 226-3545
Internet: Comcast https://business.comcast.com/learn/internet (855) 254-3770
CHARLOTTE COUNTY, FLORIDA
The following is a Step-By-Step Guide for all New Businesses in Charlotte County, FL:
1. Register the Business with the Florida Department of State of FL (Sunbiz)
Website: https://dos.fl.gov/sunbiz/start-business/
Phone: (850) 245-6000
2. Apply for a Charlotte County Business Tax Receipt from the Charlotte County Tax Collector.
Website: https://county-taxes.net/charlotte/business-tax
Phone: (941) 743-1350
3. Apply for a Local Business Tax Receipt from the City of Punta Gorda.
Website: https://www.ci.punta-gorda.fl.us/government/city-clerk/local-business-tax-
receipt
Phone: (941) 575-3369
4. Apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN).
Website: https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/apply-for-
an-employer-identification-number-ein-online
Phone: (800) 829-4933
5. File a Beneficial Ownership Information Report (if applicable to your business).
Website: https://www.fincen.gov/
Phone: (800) 767-2825
6. Obtain Insurance Coverage for your business and employees as applicable.
7. Transfer Local Utilities:
Water: Punta Gorda Utilities https://www.ci.punta-gorda.fl.us/services/water-waste-
water (941) 575-5088
Electricity: Florida Power & Light https://www.fpl.com (800) 226-3545
Internet: Comcast https://business.comcast.com/learn/internet (855) 254-3770
The above information is intended to be used as a guide only. All Tenants are responsible for their own due diligence and
research to ensure their business meets all necessary State and county license, permit and insurance regulations.