Step 1: Determine Your Business Structure
The Town of Bristol recommends consulting with an accountant, lawyer or advisory board in order to determine your specific needs. An overview of the different type of business structures can be seen below.
RI SOS Overview
The R.I. Secretary of State Office provides a comparison on the different type of business structures.
SBA Overview
The U.S. Small Business Administration provides information and guidance on the different business structures.
Register Your Business Structure
Bristol Town Clerk’s Office – https://www.bristolri.gov/town-clerk
10 Court Street
Bristol, RI 02809
Business Types: Sole Proprietorship, General Partnership, Trade Name Certificate
Rhode Island Secretary of State –
http://business.sos.ri.gov/loginsystem/login_form.asp
Business Types: Corporation, LLC, Other*
Please Note: All businesses applying with the RI SOS need to register with a unique business name. Check name availability by using the RI Department of State Corporate Database. For more information on name availability, please visit the RI Department of State Name Availability Guidelines.
Step 2: Write Your Business Plan
A Business Plan is an essential element to the success of any business. For help developing your business plan, start with this short video from the U.S. Small Business Administration. You may also benefit from:
U.S. Small Business Administration – Learn More
The SBA offers new businesses guidance of crafting a business plan.
Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) – Learn More
This is a free, downloadable document that is an excellent resource for startup businesses.
infoDev Mixed-Use Incubator Handbook – Learn More
This is a free, downloadable document that is an excellent resource for incubator developers.
Step 3: Location Selection
When opening up a new business, determining the right location is a big decision. Not every commercial location is zoned the same way, so it is important to learn about these differences early in your search.
To help you make the most educated choice, the Town of Bristol offers business owners, entrepreneurs, and investors an array of resources to discover the perfect location. We recommend businesses compare several locations to ensure success.
Property Search
The Town of Bristol works with the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation to maintain a list of available commercial properties for purchase and for lease.
GIS Maps
The Town of Bristol’s Geographical Information System offers viewers helpful insights including property tax records , zoning maps, and property line data.
Local Realtors
There are a number of licensed realtors in Bristol to guide your through the property search process including: Century 21 Topsail Realty, Keller Williams Realty, Harborside Realty, RE/MAX River’s Edge, and William Raveis Real Estate.
Request Consult
Not sure where to start? Let Bristol’s team help! The Town of Bristol will review your business concept and provide viable locations based on Bristol’s zoning map, permitted use table, specific needs, and available space.
Step 4: Regulatory Requirements
It is your responsibility to secure the proper licenses, permits and inspections prior to opening your doors or beginning operations. It’s recommended that owners schedule a meeting with the Town to review which local business licenses and permits may be applicable. Businesses should also review local ordinances.
Local
Building Permits
The Town of Bristol is pleased to offer businesses the ability to apply for select business licenses and permits electronically. Viewpoint Cloud allows users to create a profile, upload supporting documentation, submit applications and research properties anytime.
Business Licenses
The Bristol Town Council reviews and approves all new annual business licenses. Application materials and additional information can be obtained through the Bristol Town Clerk’s Office.
Department of Community Development – (Building, Code Compliance, Historic, Planning, Zoning)
235 High Street, 1st Floor
Bristol, RI 02809
Phone: 401-253-7000 ext. 147
Town Clerk’s Office – (Business Licenses)
10 Court Street
Bristol, RI 02809
Phone: 401-253-7000 ext. 130
Water Pollution Control – (Industrial Pretreatment Program)
2 Plant Avenue
Bristol, RI 02809
Phone: 401-253-8877
State
Some business licenses are obtained from the State. The Rhode Island Secretary of State’s Office has created an interactive business assistant that advises new business owners on the state regulatory requirements. For more information, please follow the link below:
https://www.ri.gov/SOS/businessassistant/wizard/business_categories
Step 5: Tax Information
As you are making plans to start your business, you will need to register with the tax authorities at the city, state, and federal levels. Several types of taxes may be levied on your business, depending on its industry and location.
Local
Register for municipal property taxes, file returns, manage your tax accounts, and more.
Bristol Tax Assessor
10 Court Street
Bristol, RI 02809
Phone: 401-253-7000 ext. 142
Email: [email protected]
State
Register for state sales taxes and sales ID.
Rhode Island Division of Taxation
Website: https://www.ri.gov/taxation/BAR/
Phone: 401-574-8938
Federal
Register for an FEIN and DUNS Number.
Internal Revenue Service
A federal employer identification number, or FEIN, is a nine-digit number that the IRS assigns to businesses for tax filing and reporting purposes. An FEIN is not required if you are a sole proprietor with no employees.
Website: https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/apply-for-an-employer-identification-number-ein-online
Dun & Bradstreet
The Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) Number is a unique nine-digit identifier for businesses. While voluntary, this number allows a company to search for information about other companies and helps businesses find potential customers, partners, or vendors.
Registering for a DUNS number is voluntary. However, the identifier is necessary to bid on local, state, or government contracts and apply for federal grants or other credit with a lender.
Website: https://www.dnb.com/duns-number/get-a-duns.html
Step 6: Employer Responsibilities
Federal Employee Identification Number
All forms of businesses except sole proprietors with no employees must have a Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN). To obtain this number, visit www.irs.gov.
Unemployment Insurance
Visit the Rhode Island Division of Taxation, https://www.ri.gov/taxation/BAR/, to register your business with the State. This will establish an unemployment insurance account and income tax withholding account.
Report New Hires
Employers are required to report newly hired employees to the Rhode Island State Directory of New Hires, https://ri-newhire.com/.
Step 7: Obtain Financing
Incentives
Learn more about local, state and federal business incentives.
Access to Capital
Learn more about how you can fund your business.
Grants
Learn more about local grant opportunities for businesses and organizations.
Step 8: Tools, Tips, and Training
East Bay Chamber of Commerce – A collection of approximately 300 businesses in the East Bay.
Rhode Island SCORE – In partnership with the Small Business Administration, RI SCORE is a volunteer organization consisting of retired business owners, professionals, and executives with experience in all aspects of business management. RI SCORE offers access to FREE local workshops & events, industry mentors, webinars and business guides.
Center for Women & Enterprise – CWE is a nationally known non-profit organization whose mission is to provide opportunities to women entrepreneurs and women in business to increase professional success, professional growth, and financial independence. CWE provides clients education, training, technical assistance, and a business enterprise certification.
R.I. Small Business Development Center – Experts at the Rhode Island Small Business Development Center (RISBDC) at the University of Rhode Island provide no-cost business counseling, training, and access to resources that support small businesses throughout the state from start-up through maturity. A Business Counselor is available for appointments at the East Bay Chamber of Commerce on Thursdays each week.
Contact Us
Address: 10 Court Street, Bristol, RI 02809
Hours of Operation: Monday – Friday | 8:00AM – 4:00PM
Eric Dickervitz
Operations Manager
Phone: 401-253-7000 ext. 133