[yamwhatIyam]

I managed to avoid paying anything over 200 dollars by getting the business operation permit under the title of another kind of permit. The voters in this district don't want foreigners around and so City Hall makes it difficult and expensive for foreigner-oriented businesses to get permission to operate.

This is the USA and starting your own business is not supposed to be difficult, but in this particular area...I am running this thing, however, and since there is no enforcement worth worrying about -- once you have a business permit -- I have no problems. I will move down the street to another district however, when my lease runs out. The neighboring districts know how to appreciate business owners.