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Ascension Parish is committed to encouraging, supporting and assisting new business development within the parish. Development provides a major contribution to economic growth.
Below is a guide for individuals who are interested in starting a new business within the parish. The guide indicates the local, state and federal departments or agencies that issue licenses and permits and other requirements for opening a new business. You will need to contact each office listed for the specific purposes that are listed.
For additional local resources (ex. cable, electric company, garbage, gas, water and telephone contacts) please click here.
Secretary of State
You must contact the Secretary of State’s Office if you wish to incorporate your business.
Secretary of State
8585 Archives Avenue
Baton Rouge, LA 70809
(225) 925-4704
Fees:
- Corporate Filing – $60
- LLC Filing – $75
What you will need:
- Articles of Incorporation
- Initial Report
Department of Public Works
You must contact of the following for zoning clearance. For Conforming Letters, the owner, officer of the corporation or legal representative must complete and sign the application. You will need the location address.
Ascension Parish Department of Planning and Development
615 E. Worthey Street
Gonzales, LA 70737
(225) 450-1002
City of Gonzales
Gonzales City Hall
120 S. Irma Blvd.
Gonzales, LA 70737
(225) 647-2841
Town of Sorrento
Sorrento Town Hall
8173 Main St.
Sorrento, LA 70778
(225) 675-5337
City of Donaldsonville
Donaldsonville City Hall
609 Railroad Ave.
Donaldsonville, LA 70346
(225) 473-1404
LOCAL SALES TAX
Sales and Use Tax
Ascension Parish Location Business
2117 E. Highway 30
Gonzales, LA 70737
(225) 621-2635
Gonzales City Limits
Gonzales City Hall
120 Irma Blvd.
Gonzales, LA 70737
(225) 647-9532
What you need to bring:
- Cash or Certified Funds
- Picture Identification
- Corporate Charter (if corporation)
- Partnership Agreement (if partnership)
Business and Occupational Licenses
City of Gonzales
City Clerk
120 S. Irma Blvd.
Gonzales, LA 70737
(225) 621-8400
Ascension Parish Sales and Use Tax Authority
Sales and Use Tax Office
2117 E. Highway 30
Gonzales, LA 70737
(225) 621-2635
What you need to bring:
- Picture Identification
- Corporate Charter (if corporation)
- Partnership Agreement (if partnership)
Federal Taxes/Taxpayer Assistance
Internal Revenue Service
2600 City Place Court, Suite 375
Baton Rouge, LA 70808
Business Income Tax (800) 829-4933
Individual Income Tax (800) 829-1040
What you will need to bring:
- Copies of Advertisements in Newspaper Declaring Intent to Apply
- Corporate Charter (if Corporation)
- Partnership Agreement (if partnership)
State Sales Taxes and Income Taxes
All New businesses must contact the Louisiana Department of Revenue and Taxation for the following:
- Sales Tax Registration
- State I.D. Number
- State Income Tax Withholding
Louisiana Department of Revenue and Taxation
617 North 3rd Street
Baton Rouge, LA 70802
Sales Tax – (225) 219-7462
Income Tax – (225) 219-0102
What you will need to bring:
- Picture Identification
- Corporate Charter (if Corporation)
- Partnership Agreement (if Partnership)
PLANNING AND ZONING
Ascension Parish Department of Planning and Development
615 E Worthey St
Gonzales, LA 70737
(225) 450-1002
City of Gonzales
Gonzales City Hall
120 S. Irma Blvd.
Gonzales, LA 70737
(225) 647-2841
Town of Sorrento
Sorrento Town Hall
8173 Main St.
Sorrento, LA 70778
(225) 675-5337
City of Donaldsonville
Donaldsonville City Hall
609 Railroad Ave.
Donaldsonville, LA 70346
(225) 473-1404
What you will need to bring:
- Location Address
- Survey Map
- Legal Description of the Property
- Scale Layout of Proposal
HEALTH DEPARTMENT
You must contact the Parish Health Department if you are selling food, beverages, and/or alcohol.
Ascension Parish Health Unit
1024 S East Ascension Blvd.
Gonzales, LA 70737
(225) 450-1006
What you will need to bring:
- Location Address
- Zoning Clearance
LOCAL ALCOHOL BEVERAGE CONTROL
Ascension Parish Sales and Use Tax Authority
2117 E. Highway 30
Gonzales, LA 70737
(225) 621-2635
What you will need to bring:
- Local Sales Tax Registration or Clearance
- Approved Health Permit
- Copy of Lease Agreement or Assessment Certificate
- Copy of Purchase Agreement if Purchasing the Property
- Completed & Notarized Schedule A on each Owner
- Completed & Notarized Schedule A on each Owner’s Spouse
- Final Inspection Report (Department of Public Works)
- Zoning Conforming Letter
- Property Zoning (if necessary)
- Occupational License
- Copy of each owner’s drivers license
- Copy of each spouse’s drivers license
- Vendor/Server Training Class
- Attendance Certificate
STATE ALCOHOL BEVERAGE COMMISSION
ATC
8585 Archives Avenue, Suite 220
Baton Rouge, LA 70809
(225) 925-4041
What you will need to bring:
- Copies of Advertisements in Newspaper Declaring Intent to Apply
- Corporate Charter (if Corporation)
- Partnership Agreement (if partnership)
- Lease Agreement
- Diagram of Building
- Square Footage of Building
- Square Footage of Patron’s Area
UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE AND WORKER’S COMPENSATION
Louisiana Department of Labor
1001 North 22nd Street, 4th Floor
Baton Rouge, LA 70802
(225) 342-2944
What you will need to bring:
- LDOLES-1 Status Report