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 NOTICE: Thank you for visiting the Franklin County Auditor website. The office will be closed on Thursday, November 28 and Friday, November 29, 2024 in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday.  If you have any questions, please contact Michael.
 

LICENSING TYPES

kennel license

ABOUT THE LICENSE:The kennel license is available for individuals or companies professionally breeding dogs for sale. It may be less expensive than purchasing multiple tags.

WHAT TO DO FIRST: Check with your local Zoning Department. If you are professionally breeding dogs for sale, some communities do not allow dog breeding businesses in residential neighborhoods.
list of Zoning Departments can be viewed here. If you are professionally breeding dogs for sale, and not selling all the dogs to someone who resells them, you should apply for a Vendor's License, since the dogs would be taxable. See the Vendor's License section below.

junk yard license

ABOUT THE LICENSE: For incorporated and unincorporated areas of Franklin County, excluding City of Columbus.

WHAT TO DO FIRST: Check with local Zoning Department to see if you may transact this business from desired address.

Contact the Environmental Crimes Unit of the Franklin County Sheriff's Office at 614-525-7449, or visit the office at 410 S. High St., Room 317 for further instructions concerning this license, including the required inspection. After the County Auditor has an approved inspection, a Junk Yard License may be issued. For City of Columbus, contact them at 614-645-7433. You will also need a Vendor's License from our office. See Vendor's License. For Automotive Salvage Dealers, contact the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles at 614-752-7634.

retail cigarette dealers license

ABOUT THE LICENSE: According to Ohio Revised Code 5743, anyone who distributes, stores, or sells cigarettes in the State of Ohio must have a Cigarette License.

WHAT TO DO FIRST: You must first apply, or apply in conjunction with, a Vendor's License. See the Vendor's License section below.

vendor's license

ABOUT THE LICENSE: The license is a Sales Tax Account for the State of Ohio Department of Taxation.

WHAT TO DO FIRST: Determining ownership structure is the first step in starting a business. Many companies jump right in and realize they should have decided legal structure first. Each structure has its advantages and disadvantages: Sole Proprietor (Owner), Partnership (General or Limited), Limited Liability Partnership, Limited Liability Company, Corporations (Different Types), Fiduciary, Association, Business Trust, etc. If you are using a business name, you should check the availability with the Secretary of State, and check to see if you should register it with them at 614-466-3910 or http://www.sos.state.oh.us/. You should also check with your local Zoning Department, to see if you may transact a business from the desired address.
 

THE INFORMATION PROVIDED BELOW IS FOR BUSINESSES OPERATING A LOCATION IN FRANKLIN COUNTY. PLEASE CONTACT YOUR COUNTY AUDITOR IF YOUR BUSINESS IS LOCATED IN ANOTHER COUNTY.

Changes in Vendor's Licenses:

  • Elimination of Vendor's License renewals.

  • Elimination of Limited Vendor's License.

  • Elimination of requirement to get new license when Vendor changes address in the same county.

  • Lowering of fee for Transient Vendor's License setting fee for each license to $25.

Due to upgrades by the Ohio Department of Taxation, the Auditor's Office will be unable to issue vendor's licenses beginning November 30, 2024, through December 9, 2024. Additionally, the Ohio Business Gateway will be unavailable for vendor's license registration during this time as well.

Visit the State of Ohio Department of Taxation to determine what type of Vendor's License to purchase, and links to different types of Vendor's License Applications.  You may also access the Application for Vendor’s License to Make Taxable Sales (ST 1) here. Upon completion, this application can be submitted along with the $25 filing fee to Franklin County Auditor, Vendor’s License Section, 373 S High St, 21st Floor, Columbus, OH 43215.

The State of Ohio Department of Taxation changed its Vendor License Program in July 2014. As a result of the changes Vendor License reports will be available on a monthly basis.

License Reports

 
October 2024 PDF Excel
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