Complete guide to permits and licenses required to start a dry cleaner in Minot, ND. Fees, renewal cycles, and agency contacts.
Certificate of Authority (LLC Registration)
North Dakota Secretary of State
Required Fee: $135.00-$135.00
Renewal: one time
Type: registration
Required for all LLCs; annual report separate requirement
Annual Report
North Dakota Secretary of State
Required Fee: $50.00-$50.00
Renewal: annual
Type: registration
Required for all active LLCs
Assumed Name Registration (if using DBA)
North Dakota Secretary of State
May Apply Fee: $25.00-$25.00
Renewal: biennial
Type: registration
Applies only if using trade name/DBA
Sales and Use Tax Permit
North Dakota Office of State Tax Commissioner
May Apply Fee: $0.00-$0.00
Renewal: one time
Type: registration
Dry cleaning services generally taxable in ND
Unemployment Insurance Tax Account
North Dakota Workforce Safety & Insurance (WSI)
May Apply Fee: $0.00-$0.00
Renewal: one time
Type: registration
Quarterly wage reporting required
Petroleum Storage Tank Registration
North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality
May Apply Fee: $25.00-$25.00
Renewal: one time
Type: registration
Annual renewal $10/tank; compliance inspections required
Hazardous Waste Generator ID (if applicable)
North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality
May Apply Fee: $0.00-$0.00
Renewal: one time
Type: registration
Dry cleaners using perc typically VSQG or SQG; manifests required
City Business License
City of Fargo
May Apply Fee: $50.00-$200.00
Renewal: annual
Type: license
Dry cleaners classified as retail/service; check specific city code (Fargo Code Ch. 31). Rural areas may not require.
Zoning Compliance Permit
City of Fargo Planning & Development
May Apply Fee: $100.00-$500.00
Renewal: one time
Type: permit
Must verify commercial zoning for perc-based dry cleaning (environmental concerns). Cass County Zoning Ordinance Sec. 1104.
Building Permit for Tenant Improvements
City of Fargo Inspections Department
May Apply Fee: $0.15-$0.15
Renewal: one time
Type: permit
Required for structural changes; Fargo Building Code based on IBC 2018.
Sign Permit
City of Fargo Planning & Development
May Apply Fee: $50.00-$50.00
Renewal: one time
Type: permit
Size/location restrictions per zoning district; electronic signs may need additional review.
Fire Safety Inspection/Permit
North Dakota State Fire Marshal
Required Fee: $75.00-$75.00
Renewal: annual
Type: permit
Dry cleaners require hazmat review for flammable solvents (NFPA 32 compliance).
Certificate of Occupancy
City of Fargo Inspections Division
May Apply Renewal: one time
Type: permit
Verifies zoning, building, fire code compliance.
Burglar/Fire Alarm Permit
City of Fargo Police Department
May Apply Fee: $40.00-$60.00
Renewal: annual
Type: permit
Registration required to avoid excessive false alarm fees.
Health Department Permit (Hazardous Materials)
City-County Health District
May Apply Fee: $150.00-$400.00
Renewal: annual
Type: permit
Cass Clay Health regulates solvent handling; wastewater discharge permit may also apply.
Sewer Use Ordinance Permit (Industrial Pretreatment)
City Engineering/Public Works
May Apply Fee: $500.00-$500.00
Renewal: one time
Type: permit
Perc and solvent limits strictly regulated (SUO Sec. 51-14).
Employer Identification Number (EIN)
Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
May Apply Fee: $0.00-$0.00
Renewal: one time
Type: registration
All LLCs that have employees or are required to file any federal tax return must obtain an EIN.
Federal Income Tax Filing for LLC (default partnership treatment)
Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
May Apply Renewal: annual
Type: filing
Members must also receive Schedule K‑1 and report income on personal returns.
Federal Income Tax Filing for LLC electing corporate taxation
Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
May Apply Renewal: annual
Type: filing
Corporate‑taxed LLCs must also file quarterly estimated tax payments.
OSHA Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) – Chemical Safety Data Sheets for Perchloroethylene
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
May Apply Fee: $500.00-$500.00
Renewal: one time
Type: permit
Employers must maintain SDSs, label containers, and train employees on hazards and safe handling.
OSHA Respiratory Protection Standard (if PCE exposure exceeds PEL)
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
May Apply Fee: $1000.00-$1000.00
Renewal: one time
Type: permit
A written respiratory protection program, medical evaluations, and fit‑testing are required.
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Title III – Public Accommodation Accessibility
U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) – Civil Rights Division
Required Fee: $5000.00-$5000.00
Renewal: one time
Type: permit
Dry‑cleaning storefronts must provide accessible entrances, service counters, and reasonable modifications for customers with disabilities.
EPA Clean Air Act – NESHAP for Dry Cleaners Using Perchloroethylene (40 CFR Part 63, Subpart HHH)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
May Apply Fee: $500.00-$500.00
Renewal: one time
Type: permit
Includes emission limits, work practice standards, and required recordkeeping. Some states (including ND) may have delegated authority; still a federal requirement.
EPA Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) – Hazardous Waste Generator Registration (if >100 kg/month of PCE waste)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
May Apply Fee: $50.00-$50.00
Renewal: one time
Type: registration
Requires obtaining a EPA ID number, proper waste storage, manifesting, and periodic reporting.
EPA Emergency Planning and Community Right‑to‑Know Act (EPCRA) – Tier II Chemical Reporting for PCE
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
May Apply Fee: $0.00-$0.00
Renewal: annual
Type: filing
Form EPA 3510‑1 must be submitted to the state emergency response commission and local emergency planning committee.
Federal Trade Commission (FTC) – Advertising and Marketing Truth-in‑Advertising Rules
Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
Required Fee: $500.00-$500.00
Renewal: one time
Type: permit
Claims about “green” cleaning, “chemical‑free,” or price guarantees must be substantiated.
Department of Labor – Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) – Minimum Wage, Overtime, Recordkeeping
U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) – Wage and Hour Division
May Apply Fee: $500.00-$500.00
Renewal: one time
Type: permit
Even a single employee triggers FLSA coverage.
Department of Labor – Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) Compliance
U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) – Wage and Hour Division
May Apply Fee: $500.00-$500.00
Renewal: one time
Type: permit
Many small dry‑cleaners may fall below the employee threshold; still monitor as staff grows.
Department of Labor – I‑9 Employment Eligibility Verification
U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) – Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE)
May Apply Renewal: one time
Type: permit
Retain I‑9 for 3 years after hire or 1 year after termination, whichever is later.
Department of Transportation (DOT) – Hazardous Materials Regulations for Transporting Perchloroethylene
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) – DOT
May Apply Fee: $500.00-$500.00
Renewal: one time
Type: permit
Requires proper hazardous‑material shipping papers, placards, and employee training (HAZMAT 101).
EPA Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) – Reporting for New Uses of Perchloroethylene
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
May Apply Fee: $0.00-$0.00
Renewal: one time
Type: filing
Most dry‑cleaners continue using standard PCE processes; new solvent introductions trigger TSCA reporting.
North Dakota LLC Annual Report
North Dakota Secretary of State
Required Fee: $50.00-$50.00
Renewal: annual
Type: filing
Must be filed online or by mail; includes updated contact information.
North Dakota State Business Registration (Tax ID) Renewal
North Dakota Department of Revenue
Required Fee: $25.00-$25.00
Renewal: annual
Type: registration
Dry‑cleaning services are taxable in ND (5% sales tax).
Sales & Use Tax Returns (Dry‑Cleaning Services)
North Dakota Department of Revenue
Required Renewal: varies
Type: filing
File electronically via ND Taxpayer Access Point (TAP).
North Dakota Corporate Income Tax Return (if taxed as corporation)
North Dakota Department of Revenue
May Apply Renewal: annual
Type: filing
If taxed as partnership, file federal Form 1065 and members report on personal returns.
Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN) Renewal/Confirmation
Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
May Apply Renewal: one time
Type: registration
Keep EIN documentation on file for at least 3 years.
North Dakota Unemployment Insurance (UI) Reporting
North Dakota Department of Labor and Human Rights – Unemployment Insurance Division
May Apply Renewal: varies
Type: filing
File electronically via ND UI portal.
North Dakota Workers’ Compensation Insurance
North Dakota Department of Labor and Human Rights – Workers’ Compensation Division
May Apply Fee: $0.50-$0.50
Renewal: annual
Type: certificate
Maintain proof of coverage on premises.
Hazardous Waste Permit (Perchloroethylene) – Air Emissions
North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) – Air Quality Division
May Apply Fee: $150.00-$150.00
Renewal: annual
Type: permit
Requires submission of emissions monitoring data annually.
Hazardous Waste Management Permit (Underground Storage Tank)
North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality – Underground Storage Tank (UST) Program
May Apply Fee: $100.00-$100.00
Renewal: annual
Type: permit
Must submit annual UST inspection reports.
Fire Department Inspection (Commercial Laundry/Dry‑Cleaner)
Local Fire Department / North Dakota State Fire Marshal’s Office
Required Fee: $75.00-$75.00
Renewal: annual
Type: permit
Inspection includes fire suppression system, flammable solvent storage, and egress.
Building/Occupancy Permit Renewal
Local City/County Building Department
Required Fee: $50.00-$50.00
Renewal: annual
Type: permit
Ensures compliance with local zoning and building codes.
Federal OSHA Workplace Posters
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
May Apply Renewal: one time
Type: permit
Required posters include OSHA Job Safety & Health – It’s the Law, and others as applicable.
North Dakota Labor Law Posters
North Dakota Department of Labor and Human Rights
May Apply Renewal: one time
Type: permit
Includes Minimum Wage, Workers’ Compensation, Unemployment Insurance, and Anti‑Discrimination posters.
Record Retention – Tax and Financial Records
North Dakota Department of Revenue
Required Renewal: one time
Type: permit
Include sales tax returns, payroll records, expense receipts, and permits.
Record Retention – Environmental Permits & Inspection Reports
North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality
May Apply Renewal: one time
Type: permit
Include annual emissions reports, UST inspection logs, and corrective action documentation.
Annual Report to North Dakota Department of Revenue – Corporate Income Tax (if applicable)
North Dakota Department of Revenue
May Apply Renewal: annual
Type: filing
Form ND‑1 (Corporate Income Tax Return).
Quarterly Estimated Tax Payments – Federal (if applicable)
Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
May Apply Renewal: varies
Type: permit
Use Form 1040‑ES for partnership members or Form 1120‑ES for corporate‑taxed LLC.
Quarterly Estimated Tax Payments – State (North Dakota)
North Dakota Department of Revenue
May Apply Renewal: varies
Type: permit
File electronically via TAP.
Annual Business License Renewal (City/County)
Local City/County Clerk’s Office (example: Bismarck City Hall)
Required Fee: $50.00-$50.00
Renewal: annual
Type: license
Renewal often requires proof of state tax registration and insurance.
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