Complete guide to permits and licenses required to start a laundromat in West Fargo, 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 formed or authorized to do business in ND. Annual report required thereafter ($50 fee, due annually by anniversary date). Source confirms current fees as of 2024.
Annual Report (LLC)
North Dakota Secretary of State
Required Fee: $50.00-$50.00
Renewal: annual
Type: registration
Ongoing requirement for all registered LLCs to maintain good standing.
Sales Tax License (Seller's Permit)
North Dakota Office of State Tax Commissioner
May Apply Fee: $0.00-$0.00
Renewal: one time
Type: registration
Laundromat self-service operations typically exempt from sales tax per NDCC 57-39.2-04, but registration required if any taxable activity. No fee to apply online.
Assumed Name (DBA) Registration
North Dakota Secretary of State
May Apply Fee: $25.00-$25.00
Renewal: one time
Type: registration
Required for all businesses using a trade name/DBA. Renewal every 5 years ($10 fee).
Unemployment Insurance Tax Registration
North Dakota Workforce Safety & Insurance
May Apply Fee: $0.00-$0.00
Renewal: one time
Type: registration
Applies to LLCs with employees. Self-service laundromats without staff may not trigger.
North Dakota Sales Tax Permit (Registration)
North Dakota Department of Revenue – Sales & Use Tax Division
Required Renewal: one time
Type: registration
Laundry services are taxable in ND (5 % state rate plus applicable local rates). Registration is required before any taxable service is rendered.
North Dakota Sales Tax Filing & Payment
North Dakota Department of Revenue – Sales & Use Tax Division
Required Renewal: one time
Type: filing
Most laundromats with modest sales are assigned quarterly filing. The filing period is assigned when the permit is issued.
North Dakota Corporate Income Tax Registration (or Partnership Tax Registration)
North Dakota Department of Revenue – Corporate Income Tax Division
Required Fee: $0.00-$0.00
Renewal: one time
Type: registration
LLCs taxed as partnerships must file ND Form 1 (Corporate Income Tax Return) if they have ND source income. If the LLC elects corporate tax treatment, registration is required as a corporation.
North Dakota Corporate Income Tax Filing (Form 1)
North Dakota Department of Revenue – Corporate Income Tax Division
Required Fee: $0.00-$0.00
Renewal: one time
Type: filing
If the LLC has ND taxable income, it must file annually. Estimated payments may be required if tax liability exceeds $500.
North Dakota Withholding Tax Registration (Employer)
North Dakota Department of Revenue – Withholding Tax Division
May Apply Renewal: one time
Type: registration
Registration is required before the first payroll period. Obtain a ND Withholding Tax Account Number.
North Dakota Withholding Tax Filing & Payment
North Dakota Department of Revenue – Withholding Tax Division
May Apply Renewal: one time
Type: filing
Monthly filing is required if average monthly tax liability > $100; otherwise quarterly.
North Dakota Unemployment Insurance (UI) Employer Registration
North Dakota Department of Workforce Services – Unemployment Insurance Division
May Apply Fee: $0.00-$0.00
Renewal: one time
Type: registration
Obtain a UI Account Number to report wages and pay UI taxes.
City Business License
City of Fargo
May Apply Fee: $50.00-$200.00
Renewal: annual
Type: license
Required for all businesses; laundromats classified under retail/services. Fargo Municipal Code Sec. 31-01.
Zoning Compliance Verification
City of Fargo Planning Department
May Apply Fee: $0.00-$0.00
Renewal: one time
Type: permit
Laundromats permitted in C-1 commercial zones per Cass County Zoning Ordinance Article 4. Site plan review required.
Building Permit for Tenant Improvements
City of Fargo Inspections Department
May Apply Fee: $0.15-$0.15
Renewal: one time
Type: permit
Fargo Building Code based on 2021 IBC. Plumbing/electrical sub-permits often required for laundromats.
Sign Permit
City of Fargo Planning & Development
May Apply Fee: $50.00-$50.00
Renewal: one time
Type: permit
Max sign area 1.5 sq ft per linear foot of building frontage. Fargo Zoning Code Chapter 10-18.
Fire Sprinkler System Permit & Inspection
Fargo Fire Department
May Apply Fee: $150.00-$150.00
Renewal: one time
Type: permit
NFPA 25 required for commercial laundries. Annual inspection post-install.
Commercial Occupancy Certificate
City of Fargo Inspections
Required Fee: $100.00-$100.00
Renewal: one time
Type: permit
Required after final inspections (building, fire, health). Valid 1 year.
Burglar/Fire Alarm Permit
City of Fargo Police Department
May Apply Fee: $40.00-$60.00
Renewal: annual
Type: permit
Registration required within 10 days of installation. Fargo Code Sec. 13-11.
Health Department Plan Review
City of Fargo Health Department
May Apply Fee: $300.00-$300.00
Renewal: one time
Type: permit
Required for self-service laundry sanitation review per ND Admin Code 33-06.
North Dakota Unemployment Insurance Quarterly Reporting & Payment
North Dakota Department of Labor and Human Rights
May Apply Renewal: one time
Type: filing
Report wages and pay UI tax each quarter. Rates are assigned by the state based on experience rating.
North Dakota Franchise Tax / Gross Receipts Tax
North Dakota Department of Revenue
Required Renewal: one time
Type: permit
North Dakota only imposes corporate income tax; there is no separate franchise or gross‑receipts tax.
City of Fargo Business License (Privilege Tax)
City of Fargo – Finance Department
May Apply Fee: $50.00-$150.00
Renewal: one time
Type: license
All businesses, including laundromats, must obtain a city business license. The fee tier is based on annual gross receipts.
City of Bismarck Business License (Privilege Tax)
City of Bismarck – Finance Department
May Apply Fee: $75.00-$200.00
Renewal: one time
Type: license
Similar to Fargo; required for any laundromat located in Bismarck.
Department of Labor – Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) Wage & Hour Requirements
U.S. Department of Labor (DOL)
May Apply Renewal: one time
Type: permit
Includes minimum wage, overtime (≥40 hrs/week), recordkeeping, and child‑labor restrictions.
Department of Labor – Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) Applicability (Conditional)
U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) – Family and Medical Leave
May Apply Renewal: one time
Type: permit
If the threshold is met, the business must provide up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job‑protected leave.
Department of Transportation – Hazardous Materials Transportation (Conditional)
U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) – Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA)
May Apply Renewal: one time
Type: permit
Most laundromats purchase detergents from suppliers who handle transport; only applicable if the business itself ships hazardous materials.
State Sales‑Use Tax Permit (no renewal, but ongoing filing)
North Dakota Department of Revenue
May Apply Renewal: one time
Type: permit
Laundering services are subject to the 5% state sales tax plus any applicable local rates. Choose monthly filing if average monthly tax > $100; otherwise quarterly.
Quarterly Unemployment Insurance (UI) Report
North Dakota Department of Labor & Human Rights – Unemployment Insurance Division
May Apply Renewal: varies
Type: filing
Report total wages and UI taxable wages for each employee. Use the ND UI online portal.
Wastewater Discharge Permit
City of Fargo Engineering
May Apply Fee: $250.00-$250.00
Renewal: annual
Type: permit
Laundromats often require pretreatment review. Fargo Sewer Ordinance Article 8.
County Business Registration
Grand Forks County Auditor
May Apply Renewal: one time
Type: registration
Separate from city requirements; for tax assessor records.
Workers' Compensation Insurance
North Dakota State Water Commission (Administered by the North Dakota Workers’ Compensation Bureau)
May Apply Fee: $500.00-$2000.00
Renewal: one time
Type: certificate
North Dakota law (ND Century Code §28‑01‑01) requires any employer with at least one employee to carry workers’ compensation insurance. Coverage is provided either through the state‑run North Dakota Workers’ Compensation Insurance Fund or an authorized private carrier.
Commercial Auto Liability Insurance
North Dakota Department of Transportation – Vehicle Registration Division
May Apply Fee: $25000.00-$25000.00
Renewal: one time
Type: certificate
North Dakota minimum liability limits are $25,000 per person for bodily injury, $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $25,000 for property damage (ND Century Code §28‑01‑01).
General Liability Insurance
None (not state-mandated)
Required Fee: $500.00-$1500.00
Renewal: one time
Type: certificate
While North Dakota does not require general liability insurance, many landlords, lenders, and vendors require proof of coverage.
Professional Liability (Errors & Omissions) Insurance
North Dakota Department of Insurance – Consumer Information
May Apply Fee: $300.00-$300.00
Renewal: one time
Type: certificate
Laundromats generally do not need professional liability insurance because the service is not considered a professional practice.
Surety Bond (Business License Bond)
No state‑level bond required for mobile car‑wash operations in North Dakota
May Apply Renewal: one time
Type: certificate
North Dakota state law does not impose a surety bond on laundromats; check the specific city or county where the laundromat will operate.
Product Liability Insurance
None
May Apply Fee: $1000.00-$3000.00
Renewal: one time
Type: certificate
Product liability coverage protects against claims arising from defective goods sold to customers.
Liquor Liability Insurance
None
Required Fee: $300.00-$1000.00
Renewal: one time
Type: certificate
Only required for establishments that hold a liquor license.
Employer Identification Number (EIN)
Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
Required Fee: $0.00-$0.00
Renewal: one time
Type: registration
All LLCs that have employees, elect to be taxed as a corporation, or need to open a bank account typically obtain an EIN.
Federal Income Tax Filing for LLC (single‑member)
Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
May Apply Renewal: annual
Type: filing
Report income on the owner’s Form 1040 Schedule C. No separate federal tax return for the LLC.
Federal Partnership Tax Filing for Multi‑Member LLC
Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
May Apply Renewal: annual
Type: filing
File Form 1065 and provide each member a Schedule K‑1.
Federal Employment Tax Reporting (Form 941, Form 940)
Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
May Apply Renewal: one time
Type: filing
Even a single‑employee laundromat must file these forms if payroll is processed.
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) General Industry Standards
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
May Apply Renewal: one time
Type: permit
Key standards include machine guarding (29 CFR 1910.212), hazardous chemicals (29 CFR 1910.1200), ergonomics, and lockout/tagout (29 CFR 1910.147).
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Title III Public‑Accommodation Requirements
U.S. Department of Justice – Civil Rights Division (ADA.gov)
May Apply Renewal: one time
Type: permit
Requirements include accessible entrances, clear floor space, reachable controls on washers/dryers, and accessible restrooms.
EPA Section 608 Refrigerant Certification for Commercial Dryers
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
May Apply Fee: $30.00-$30.00
Renewal: one time
Type: permit
All personnel who service the refrigeration system must be EPA‑certified (Type I, II, or III as appropriate).
EPA Clean Water Act – National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit (Conditional)
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
May Apply Fee: $100.00-$100.00
Renewal: one time
Type: permit
Most laundromats discharge to a municipal sewer, which is covered by the city’s NPDES permit; however, if the facility has its own treatment system or discharges to a waterway, a permit is required.
Annual Workers’ Compensation Report
North Dakota Department of Labor & Human Rights – Workers’ Compensation Division
May Apply Renewal: annual
Type: filing
Submit payroll totals and any changes in classification. Premium is recalculated annually.
City Business License (Fargo example)
City of Fargo – Business Licensing Division
May Apply Fee: $100.00-$150.00
Renewal: annual
Type: license
Other North Dakota municipalities (e.g., Bismarck, Grand Forks) have similar licensing requirements; fees vary.
Annual Fire Department Inspection
Local Fire Department (e.g., Fargo Fire Department)
Required Fee: $0.00-$50.00
Renewal: annual
Type: permit
Inspection covers fire extinguishers, exit signage, and electrical equipment used for washers/dryers.
Annual Health/Sanitary Inspection
North Dakota Department of Health – Environmental Health Division (or local county health department)
May Apply Renewal: annual
Type: permit
The inspection verifies proper water discharge, restroom cleanliness, and compliance with ND sanitation standards.
Federal Income Tax Return (Form 1065 for multi‑member LLC)
Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
May Apply Fee: $300.00-$800.00
Renewal: annual
Type: filing
Members must receive Schedule K‑1 for reporting on their personal returns.
Federal Employment Tax Deposits (Form 941)
Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
May Apply Renewal: varies
Type: filing
Deposits may be made semi‑weekly or monthly depending on tax liability.
Federal Unemployment (FUTA) Tax Return (Form 940)
Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
May Apply Fee: $7000.00-$7000.00
Renewal: annual
Type: filing
FUTA tax is credited against state UI tax.
Record‑Keeping Retention (Financial & Tax Records)
Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
Required Renewal: one time
Type: permit
Include sales tax returns, payroll records, UI/Workers’ Comp reports, and inspection reports.
Labor Law Posters (Federal)
U.S. Department of Labor
Required Fee: $20.00-$40.00
Renewal: one time
Type: permit
Required posters include FLSA, OSHA, EEOC, and Family & Medical Leave Act.
North Dakota Minimum Wage & Labor Law Posters
North Dakota Department of Labor and Human Rights
Required Renewal: one time
Type: permit
If the laundromat has employees, the ND Minimum Wage poster is required.
Periodic Reporting of Sales‑Tax Returns (Monthly/Quarterly)
North Dakota Department of Revenue
May Apply Renewal: varies
Type: filing
Electronic filing is mandatory for businesses with > $1,000 in monthly tax liability.
Annual Environmental Discharge Report (if applicable)
North Dakota Department of Health – Environmental Health Division
May Apply Renewal: annual
Type: filing
Report volume of water discharged and any pretreatment chemicals used.
Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Advertising and Consumer Protection Compliance
Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
Required Renewal: one time
Type: permit
Claims about pricing, service speed, or “green” cleaning must be truthful and substantiated.
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
Employers must complete Form I‑9 for each employee and may use E‑Verify for electronic verification.
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