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Compliance Information and Resources: State by State

Businesses are regulated by a combination of federal, state, county, and local laws and ordinances. These include everything from health and safety standards and environmental laws to specific regulations affecting particular industries (such as medical cannabis dispensaries and strip clubs). State and local laws tend to reflect the unique culture of the respective region and are subject to change with the times. For example, there are still some counties in the South that prohibit sales of alcoholic beverages, while some states have strict limits on the alcoholic content of beer served to the public. And in Oregon, for example, filling station customers are not allowed to fill their own gas tanks.

So if you're planning to start a new business or expand an existing one to a new location, you need to check the laws and ordinances to make sure you're in compliance. Below, are links to business laws and regulation compliance information for each of the 50 states and Washington, DC. Where no direct link to state legal and regulatory compliance information exists, a link to general information and resources on doing business in the state is provided. 

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Compliance Resources By State

Alabama Business Laws and Regulations
Alaska Small Business Regulations Program
Arkansas Government Resources for Business
Arizona Business Law and Regulation
California Small Business Assistance Center
Colorado State of Colorado: Business
Connecticut Business Regulation
Delaware State of Delaware: Business
DC Small Business Resource Center
Florida Business Licenses, Permits, and Regulation
Georgia Business Resources
Hawaii Business Gateway
Idaho Business Licensing, Permitting, and Regulations
Illinois Business Legislation, Rules, and Regulations
Indiana

Business Owner's Guide to State Government

Iowa Business and Economic Development
Kansas Business Laws and Regulations
Kentucky Business Laws and Regulations
Louisiana Grow a Business
Maine

Business Laws and Regulations

Maryland Business Resources
Massachusetts Business Licensing, Permitting, and Regulation
Michigan Business and Economic Development
Minnesota Business and Jobs
Mississippi Business in Mississippi
Missouri Missouri Business Portal
Montana

Business Resources and Laws

Nebraska Nebraska Online for Business
Nevada Doing Business in Nevada
New Hampshire Business Laws and Rules
New Jersey Business in New Jersey
New Mexico New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department
New York Business Rules and Regulations
North Carolina North Carolina Serving Businesses
North Dakota North Dakota Business
Ohio Business Laws and Regulations
Oklahoma Startup FAQ: Licensing and Registration, Financing, Certification
Oregon Business Referral Center
Pennsylvania Business in Pennsylvania
Rhode Island Business Laws and Regulations
South Carolina Business Portal
South Dakota Doing Business in South Dakota
Tennessee Business Requirements and Taxes
Texas Business and Consumer Services
Utah Business: Government Requirements
Vermont Business Laws and Regulations
Virginia Business and Professional Resources
Washington Business Laws and Rules
West Virginia Business Licensing Requirements
Wisconsin Business Services
Wyoming Business Council

Get Professional Legal Help with Business Compliance

Getting into compliance with any applicable business laws or regulations -- whether they're at the federal, state, county, or local level -- is absolutely critical for any business. But sometimes, it's not even clear which laws apply, particularly when there is an overlap among one or more jurisdictions. Consider speaking with a business and commercial law attorney for compliance help and some peace of mind. 

See FindLaw's Business Laws and Regulations section to learn more.

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