Many business licenses may be obtained from the Clerks of the Circuit Court. If you are considering opening a business in Charles County, please contact the Circuit Court Clerk's Office at (301) 932-3223 to determine whether you need to obtain a business license. 

!!! NEW LICENSES FOR 2011 - OTHER TOBACCO PRODUCTS !!!

Maryland license laws have been amended to create two new licenses that will be required effective May 1, 2011 for those who sell 'other tobacco products' at retail.  The new licenses are:   
                             Other Tobacco Products Retailer license;  and
                             Tobacconist license

'Other tobacco products' includes cigars (blunts, cigarillos, little cigars), pipe tobacco, chewing tobacco, roll-your-own ("RYO") tobacco, snuff, snus, and other smokeless tobacco products.

Any business selling tobacco products other than cigarettes may need one of these two licenses.  Refer to the following documents, provided by the Maryland Comptroller of the Treasury, for more detailed information:

          Bulletin TT-68 - Other Tobacco Products (OTP) Retailers Licenses 

          Frequently Asked Questions - Other Tobacco Products (OTP) Retailers Licenses

For more information on business licenses and opening a Maryland business, please visit the following 
sites: 

Business License Information System (includes startup information and an alphabetized list 
of all State licenses and permits) 

Comptroller of Maryland - Business Information and Services (includes business license 
tips, frequently asked questions, employer withholding information, tax registration)