The agencies state $12,235 in initial fees across 4 of the 7 items; 1 are free; 2 are set by the city, the county or a provider. Rent, build-out and equipment come on top and depend on the space.
How much does it cost to open a boutique in Kentucky?
$12,235 in state fees the agencies state, across 4 of the 7 licenses, permits and registrations; 1 are free; 2 are set by the city, the county or a provider. Rent, build-out and equipment come on top.
What the state publishes for a boutique in Kentucky
Every row checked against its agency’s page; the latest on Oct 21, 2026.
- Stated state fees
- $12,235initial fees across 4 of 7 items
- Free items
- 1no fee as the agency publishes it
- Set elsewhere
- 2by the city, the county or a provider
- Items in all
- 7in the order to get them
Initial fees as each agency states them, summed; renewals are not included. Where a fee depends on size or sales the range is the lowest to the highest stated. Members see each row’s fee, its renewal and the official page.
Set up the business
Item Agency Fee Articles of organization (LLC) and the annual report Kentucky Secretary of State Premium only Certificate of assumed name (DBA) Kentucky Secretary of State Premium only Employer Identification Number (EIN) Internal Revenue Service Free Register for tax
Item Agency Fee Tax registration: sales and use tax permit, employer withholding, limited liability entity tax Kentucky Department of Revenue Premium only Occupational license tax registration (city and county) Your city and county occupational tax office Premium only Approve the space
Item Agency Fee Zoning approval and certificate of occupancy Your city or county planning and building inspection offices Premium only Before the first hire
Item Agency Fee Unemployment insurance account, new hire reporting and workers’ compensation Kentucky Office of Unemployment Insurance Premium only
What comes on top of the fees
The state publishes its fees; the space sets the rest. These work it out from your own numbers.
- Rent the business can carryMonthly sales, or seats and average check, to the base rent that fits a healthy occupancy share.Rent-to-sales calculator
- The real cost of a NNN leaseBase rent plus CAM, property taxes and insurance, each month.NNN lease calculator
- The steps in orderThe same items as a walk-through you tick off, with progress saved to your account.How to open
Fees are shown to members as published. Create an account.
Sources and dates
Secretary of State fee schedule and articles of organization form (KLC); Kentucky Business One Stop annual report page; KRS 365.015; Secretary of State fee schedule; IRS EIN page; Kentucky Business One Stop registration pages; Department of Revenue corporation income and limited liability entity tax pages; KRS 141.0401; Louisville Metro Revenue Commission registration and OL-3 instructions (LMCO 110.07); city and county occupational license ordinances; Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction building code pages; Louisville Metro change of use permit page; local zoning ordinances; Office of Unemployment Insurance 2026 employer guide (taxable wage base and new employer rate); Education and Labor Cabinet workers’ compensation employer FAQ; KRS 342.630. Fees are as published by each agency on the date checked; cities and counties add their own.