Welcome to the Locust Business District!

LBD New Business Guide

We’re excited by your interest in joining St. Louis’ ‘Buzziest’ district! We are striving to build and strengthen a healthy and vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem. Our community is enriched by every new concept and every grand opening.

This guide is designed to support novice and experienced entrepreneurs work through the process of starting a business from registration and zoning to permits and taxes.

Please note – This guide does not cover land or property purchases or new development projects. This guide also does not act as or substitute for professional legal, financial, or business start-up guidance. 

For additional assistance, please utilize the array of resources listed at the back of this document.

Our LBD business owners, residents, employees, and visitors – in Midtown Alley, City Commons, and the areas in between – are eager to meet you and support you.

Plan, Structure, Register

Business Plan:

Start by developing a detailed business plan that outlines your business’s objectives, target market, marketing strategies, financial projections, and operational plans. You can use the one-page outline below if you do not have a business plan already.

Choose a Business Structure:

Decide on the legal structure for your business. Common options include sole proprietorship, partnership, LLC (Limited Liability Company), or corporation. Each structure has its advantages and legal implications. Information on these options can be found on the Missouri Secretary of State’s Business Start Up page.

Register the Business:

Register your business with the Missouri Secretary of State and obtain any necessary state and federal and identification numbers, such as an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the federal Internal Revenue Service (IRS). You can explore and file online:

Certificate of No Tax Due:

If you are selling any retail products, including food products, you must apply for a Certificate of No Tax Due from the State of Missouri. For information on how to receive this certificate, click below

Business Taxes

Take time to understand your tax obligations at the local, state, and federal levels.

Permits and Licenses

Local Permits and Licenses:

Contact the City of St. Louis’s Business Assistance Center to identify the specific permits and licenses required for your type of business. Different industries and activities may have different licensing requirements, and fees vary. For information, call the Business Assistance Center at 314-622-4800

Commercial Occupancy Permit:

All Businesses will need to obtain a Commercial Occupancy Permit. This permit will be reviewed by the Zoning Department and your space will be inspected by City Inspectors for the following:

  • Building
  • Electrical
  • Plumbing
  • Mechanical
  • Fire Suppression

Note: When your Occupancy Permit is reviewed, the Permit Office will tell you if you need a Conditional Use Permit. Information under Other Permits & Licenses, below.

It is important to include letters of support in your Occupancy Permit application from the building owner if renting, your Alderperson, and any community organizations in the area. See below.

Letters of Support:

Reach out to elected leaders, community members, and neighbors to gather letters in support of your business.

Address letters to:

Mary Hart Burton, Zoning Administrator
St. Louis City Zoning Division
1200 Market Street, Room 400
St. Louis, MO 63103

Here are a few ideas for letter writers:

Alderwoman Laura Keys, 11th Ward

(314) 441-0375

keysl@stlouis-mo.gov

Alderman Rasheen Aldridge, 14th Ward

(314) 622-3287

aldridgera@stlouis-mo.gov

Midtown Alley Business Alliance

mababoard@gmail.com

Your businesses’ neighbors!

Other Permits and Licenses

Conditional Use Hearing & Permit: By referral from Zoning Office when proposed use does not meet existing zoning restrictions but might be made right with certain conditions. For information on Conditional Use Hearings, click below

Home Occupancy Waiver: Required to work from home. Click below

Incidental Business Waiver: Required for a small business operating within another business, tied to the primary business’s occupancy waiver. Click below

Incubator Claim Form: Required to operate from an incubator or coworking space. Click below

Building Permits: If you plan to proceed with any renovations or construction, call the Building Division to find out what permits you may need. You can reach the Building Division Permit Office at (314) 622-3313. Click below

Liquor License: To obtain a liquor license in the City of St. Louis, you must first understand your Ward’s required liquor license ordinances or regulations. Click below to learn more about the process of obtaining a liquor license and contacting the Excise Department

Zoning

Prior to filling out your Commercial Occupancy Permit, ensure that your business location complies with the local zoning regulations. The LBD is divided into three different zones: 

  • H Area Commercial District
  • I Central Business District
  • J Industrial District.

To read more about these and see if your business complies, click below

If your business doesn’t fall within the Zoning Compliance, you must get a Conditional Use Permit. The Zoning Department will contact you about obtaining a Conditional Use Permit after reviewing your Commercial Occupancy Permit Application.

Business examples that require Conditional Use Permits are:

  • Restaurants
  • Businesses that sell liquor, tobacco, or other regulated products
  • Businesses that allow smoking
  • Businesses that would like outdoor dining

Information on Conditional Use Hearing & Permit under Other Permits & Licenses, above. If a business type is a use by right or a conditional use, or is denied, it can be appealed to the Board of Adjustment for a variance.

Business License

To receive your St. Louis City Business License, you must submit the following items:

  • Business email address
  • EIN/Fed or ID/SSN
  • Trade name
  • True name
    • Structure address
    • Number of employees
    • Business owner information
  • Business contact information
  • Driver’s license information
  • Certificate of no tax due
    • Occupancy permit (or receipt)
    • Earnings Tax From

For other necessary documents, click below

Some businesses are exempt from municipal business licenses. Click below

Health & Safety Inspection

To receive your St. Louis City Business License, you must submit the following items:

If you are planning to serve food or drinks in your business, you will need to pass health and safety inspections conducted by relevant city agencies. Once you have all of the above documentation, you will go to the Health Department to receive an inspection. For more information about Food and Beverage Codes, call 314-657-1539, click below

Other Considerations

  • M/WBE Registration: For requirements and to answer your questions, please contact certification@stlouis-mo.gov.
  • Veteran-Owned Small Business Certification: The U.S. Small Business Administration is responsible for certifying all Veteran-Owned businesses. For information, contact Danielle Lowery, lowery@vetbiz.com, call 800-862-8088, or click here
  • Business Insurance: Consider getting insurance coverage to protect your business against liabilities, property damage, and other risks.
  • Business Banking: Open a business bank account to keep your personal and business finances separate.
  • Employer Obligations: If you plan to hire employees, make sure you comply with all federal, state, and local employment regulations. This includes obtaining workers’ compensation insurance and setting up payroll taxes.

Conclusion

The Locust Business District wants to support your success. This business guide stands as your compass in navigating the exciting possibilities that await you in the LBD.

We look forward to celebrating your achievements and being a part of your business success story.

John Hayden, Chairman of the Board of Commissioners, Locust Business District

locustbusinessdistrict@gmail.com, o: 314-652-2220

Ann Kittlaus, Director 

director@locustbusinessdistrict.com, c: 314-650-2442

Locust Central Business District
715 N. 21st St. Suite A
St. Louis, MO 63103

Resources

St. Louis Business Assistance Center (BAC):

Facilitates the licensing and permitting of businesses in the City of St. Louis and acts as the ombudsman for the City business community. Send an email to bac@stlouis-mo.gov to receive all appropriate applications for occupancy permits, home occupation waivers, business licenses, contractor’s licenses, and building permits. For more information, services, or business hours, call 314-622-4120, click below

Northside Economic Empowerment Center:

Offers resources, support, and opportunities – including back-office services, capital, MBE/WBE registration, professional development, networking, and training sessions – to individuals, entrepreneurs, and small businesses operating throughout the City. Click below

St. Louis Small Business Empowerment Center (SBEC):

Offers resources, education, and assistance to empower small businesses in St. Louis. Click below

St. Louis Economic Development Partnership:

Offers resources and support for business growth including funding, site selection, and workforce development. Click below

St. Louis SCORE:

Provides free mentoring and workshops from experienced entrepreneurs and business professionals. Click below

Missouri Department of Economic Development:

Provides information on starting and growing businesses in the state. Click below

U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA):

The SBA provides resources, funding opportunities, and support for small businesses across the United States, offering guidance on starting, growing, and managing businesses. Click below

Missouri Small Business & Technology Development Centers (MO SBTDC):

Offers resources, training, and consulting to small businesses across the state. Click below

St. Louis Minority Business Council:

Supports minority-owned businesses through networking, education, and advocacy. Click below

Urban League St. Louis Women’s Business Center:

Offers training, counseling, and resources for women entrepreneurs. Click below

Hello Alice:

An online platform that provides resources, mentorship, and grant opportunities for small business owners. Click below

Business Plan – One Page Template

Here are some ideas to think about as you complete your One-Page Business Plan:

Vision, Mission

Your vision statement describes what your business wants to become. The mission statement explains how to achieve that vision.

Business Goals

Create targets for achievement in a set period of time. They can be split into short-term goals and long-term goals and can be general and high level. It is helpful to create specific measurable actions.

Business Strategies/Objectives

These are your general plans for actually reaching your goals. For example, if a goal is to have 10 new clients by the end of your first month, one strategy might be to plan to network in communities where those prospective clients are so that you can meet them.

Total Yearly Budget

Running a business will have costs, no matter what kind of business you will create. Figure out what you can realistically spend through a total budget (you may also want to include a percentage of any amounts that you will save or plan to re-invest to grow your business).

Income Projection & Explanation

You should estimate your income for your first year and explain how you got to that estimate. Then at the end of the year, you can evaluate your actual income versus your estimate and see where you stand. Be careful not to overestimate your income projections.

Cost Projection & Explanation

You will also want to estimate your expenses (yearly or monthly). It’s important that you consider everything you will need, and not underestimate your costs. Include everything from your domain registration costs to advertising costs to office supplies. (You’ll detail them in a later section).

Income Streams

What are all of your starting or existing income streams? For example, if you offer different products or services, you can list them separately and explain what percentage you think each will bring to your total revenue.

Future Income Streams

What other future income streams do you plan to, or would you like to, add? This might include future products or services, or a new niche you’d like to launch, etc.

Expenses

You want to know all of the expenses you can imagine that you will incur.