• Home
  • About
  • Contact

The Phat Startup

The Ultimate Lifestyle Blog for Entrepreneurs

  • Blog
  • Blogger Lifestyle
  • Money & Finance
  • Motivation
  • Personal Growth

Blog

A List of Legal Documents Business Owners Need to Know About

Starting a new business is both an exciting and stressful time. From business plan to opening day, there are so many details that to check off your to-do list that it can be completely overwhelming making sure you’ve completed them all.

Near the top of that list should be making sure you’re complying legally on both state and federal levels. Keep reading for a list of legal documents your business needs to have.

A List of Legal Documents for Your Business

Every business is different. Some operate entirely online and don’t have the same regulations imposed on brick and mortar businesses. Each state has its own guidelines, and each business type has its own unique set of documents and procedures that must be adhered to.

Make sure you’ve researched exactly what laws and regulations your business will be subject to. Below are a few common ones.

1. Applicable Licensing

Depending on the state you live in and the type of business you own, there are various licenses to do business you will need to obtain. Common licenses include:

  • Local business operating licenses, those required by your city or county to do business within their limits
  • Zoning and land use permits, which allow you to do a specific type of business within a zoned area
  • Building permits, if there is construction
  • Fire department permit, where your building is cleared for fire safety codes
  • Health licenses and permits, for businesses that are required to operate to certain codes by the health department
  • Environmental licenses, for businesses which must comply with environmental codes
  • State licenses, those required to legally do business within that state

When you’re designing your business plan, make sure you know exactly what city, state and federal regulations you need to comply with and obtain the necessary licenses appropriately.

2. Company Bylaws for Corporations

Company bylaws are required by most states for companies that operate as a corporation. Even if they aren’t required by your state, they’re a good document to have.

Bylaws lay out the business structure, governance procedures, and individual roles – or how the company runs and governs itself. In the event an issue arises, bylaws ensure there is a procedure and policy in place for navigating through.

If you’re having trouble understanding the verbiage in a contract of this kind, be sure to have a legal translation done so you understand exactly what’s in these operating procedures.

3. Non-disclosure Agreement

Every company has information that they should keep private. Typical kinds of information that are covered in a non-disclosure agreement are:

  • Clients’ personal information, like name, address, and phone numbers
  • Financial records of the company or the company’s clientele
  • Business information like pricing models or designs

An NDA is a legal document that stands between the information your company holds and any contractors, business partners or employees who might be privy to it.

Keeping Your Business Legal

Running a business is hard enough. Make sure you don’t make it harder by failing to do the homework and make a list of legal documents you need to have on hand.

For more business advice, check out the rest of the informational articles on this site!


« Business Phones 101: How to Put Someone on Hold the RIGHT Way
7 Key Benefits of Network Cabling for Your Business »

About The Phat Startup

The Phat Startup was created by Mike McOwen to create a space where entrepreneur lifestyle could be focused on. We tend to live a different lifestyle than most. Entrepreneurs tend to be interested in maximizing their life, not only their profit.

Connect With Me

  • Email
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Twitter Feed

Mike McOwenFollow

Mike McOwen
PhatStartupsMike McOwen@PhatStartups·
29 Dec 2017

Why is content marketing so important? Find out here: http://thephatstartup.com/money-finance/why-your-business-needs-a-content-marketing-strategy-in-2018/

Reply on Twitter 946751505146707968Retweet on Twitter 946751505146707968Like on Twitter 9467515051467079681Twitter 946751505146707968
PhatStartupsMike McOwen@PhatStartups·
9 Oct 2017

http://yescincinnati.com/

Reply on Twitter 917521630162759681Retweet on Twitter 917521630162759681Like on Twitter 9175216301627596811Twitter 917521630162759681
PhatStartupsMike McOwen@PhatStartups·
25 Sep 2017

Wow, interesting

Forbes@Forbes

Millennial men are more likely than women to default on student debt http://on.forbes.com/60148NudC

Reply on Twitter 912458136849698816Retweet on Twitter 912458136849698816Like on Twitter 9124581368496988162Twitter 912458136849698816
PhatStartupsMike McOwen@PhatStartups·
25 Sep 2017

I LOVE Toronto! Miss that place

GO Transit@GOtransit

Explore Toronto’s art scene with GO! Enjoy special late night service during Nuit Blanche on Sept 30. https://cards.twitter.com/cards/v2l8b/4ttwx

Reply on Twitter 912458028355670017Retweet on Twitter 912458028355670017Like on Twitter 912458028355670017Twitter 912458028355670017
Retweet on TwitterMike McOwen Retweeted
BuffaloSabresBuffalo Sabres@BuffaloSabres·
25 Sep 2017

Batter's up! ⚾️ Spending quality time with our friends at @MiracleLeagueWN.

4
Reply on Twitter 912457252057034754Retweet on Twitter 91245725205703475454Like on Twitter 912457252057034754319Twitter 912457252057034754
Load More...

Blog Ideas That Make Money

8 Reasons Why Everyone Shouldn’t Like You

How to Organize a Successful Workshop for Your Employees

Why Read Red Rock Secured Reviews When Creating Your Retirement Plan

Search

Copyright © 2023 · The Phat Startup

Copyright © 2023 · Divine Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in