Business Rules

Everything you need to know about owning and operating a business in Onyx County.

Important Business Notes

  • Taxes are due on the first day of each month and are taken from your business ledger.
  • Missing payments may result in immediate repossession.
  • Businesses can only be sold back to a Realtor (no private sales).

Getting Started

How to find available businesses and begin the ownership process.

Where do I start?

In the Onyx County Discord, you can find a document listing available businesses. If you are interested in owning one, you may submit a business application.

Taxes

Monthly tax expectations and how payments are handled.

Due Date

Taxes are due on the first day of each month and are taken from your business ledger.

No Skipping

There is no skipping taxes — even if you obtain a business shortly before the first of the month, taxes are still required.

Rates

Your tax amount varies by business. Refer to the business sheet for applicable rates.

Business Loans

How down payments, interest, and repayments work.

Loan Structure

  • Upfront Payment

    All business purchases require an upfront payment of 50% of the total cost.

  • Interest

    A 10% interest charge applies to the borrowed amount and is added to your total repayment. Interest is not refundable.

  • Monthly Repayments

    Repayments are set at 11% of the original business cost per month (not including interest). Monthly repayments and taxes are taken from the business ledger.

  • Refunds

    Refunds are only issued if the full purchase price (including interest) has been repaid in full. If a business is handed back early or repossessed before completion, no refund is provided.

Applications & Acceptance

What happens after you submit your business application.

Review Process

Applications are reviewed in the order they are received. If accepted, you’ll be contacted through a real estate ticket, typically over the weekend.

48 Hour Window

If accepted, your ticket remains open for 48 hours. No response within that time will result in the business going back up for sale.

After Purchase

Ensure your ledger has funds for taxes on the first of each month and remain active — inactivity can lead to repossession.

Pricing Rules

How pricing should be handled within the economy.

Pricing Freedom (Be Reasonable)

Businesses may set their own prices without external scrutiny. However, owners should consider the current economy and aim to be fair and reasonable.

Selling / Leaving Your Business

How to sell back, and what restrictions apply.

Selling Back to a Realtor

  • Contact a Realtor

    If you no longer want your business, contact a Realtor through a real estate ticket in Discord.

  • Repurchase Value

    Realtors repurchase your business for 25% of the original price you paid.

  • Cooldown

    After selling your business back, you must wait one week before applying for another.

  • No Private Sales

    Businesses cannot be sold to anyone other than a Realtor to prevent monopolization and ensure fairness.

Missed Taxes & Repossession

When repossession can occur and what happens next.

Missed Payments

Missing a payment may lead to immediate repossession.

Owner Inactivity

If the business owner is inactive for one week without an approved LOA, the business may be repossessed.

Business Inactivity

If the business itself is inactive for one week without an approved LOA, the business may be repossessed.

Sale / Auction

Repossessed businesses will be listed for sale again or placed into auction.

Auction Rules

If a business is up for auction and you wish to bid, you must have the full amount available. A member of the real estate team will accompany you to the bank to collect payment before handing over keys.

Business LOA

Leave of absence rules for business owners.

LOA Requirements

  • Submit Before Inactivity

    The owner must submit an LOA prior to being inactive. Over a week inactive without LOA can lead to repossession.

  • Staff Must Remain Active

    LOAs are allowed for limited time, but you must have active staff for the duration of your LOA.

  • Maximum Duration

    LOAs cannot exceed three weeks. Anything longer will cause repossession.

Ownership Limits

Who can own businesses and how many may be owned.

One Business Per Player

Businesses are limited to one per player. You cannot own multiple businesses across different characters.

Group / Family / Gang Limits

Groups may own one business from each category to expand opportunities while maintaining balance. Groups cannot become fully self-sufficient.

Business Categories

  • Category A: Stables, Tailors
  • Category B: Bakery, Saloon, General Store, Produce Store, Distillery
  • Category C: Gunsmith, Blacksmith, Mining Company, Carpenters, Bowyer
  • Category D: Theatre, Undertakers, Tobacconist

Business Operations

Employees, co-owners, and special business information.

Mining Company

Purchasing a mining company grants the Miner job (double output from mining nodes) and a storefront in a suitable location of your choice. Mines remain government-owned.

Employees

You may hire up to 5 employees (not including the owner).

Co-Owners

Co-owners must be listed on the application. If an owner steps away, the co-owner may gain possession. If a co-owner owns their own business, the co-owned business will be repossessed.

Business MLOs

At this time, no additional business MLOs are being added.

Owning on Someone Else’s Property

You may own a business located on someone else’s property (e.g., Emerald Ranch stables), but you must obtain permission before applying. If they decline, they must provide a valid RP reason.

Custom Items

How custom items work, requirements, and restrictions.

Custom Item Rules

  • Ownership Requirement

    You must own your business for at least one full week before requesting custom items.

  • Entitlement & Cost

    Each business is entitled to one free custom item. Additional custom items cost $5 per item.

  • No Licensed / Modern Products

    Custom items must be time accurate and cannot be real licensed products (copyright). Items that don’t fit the 1900 setting will not be approved.

  • No Changes After Approval

    Custom items cannot be changed after they’re added in.

  • Ingredients Set by Staff

    Ingredients are selected by staff to ensure variety and avoid repetitive recipes.

  • No Refunds After Work Begins

    Once work is completed (images, coding, implementation), refunds cannot be offered. Contributions are treated as donations toward supporting the server.

Eligible Custom Items By Business Type

  • Stables: Horse treats or collectible RP item
  • General Stores: Collectible RP item, snack, candy, or soft drink
  • Saloons: Meals, alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages, or snacks
  • Gunsmith / Bowyers: Collectible RP item
  • Blacksmiths: Collectible RP item
  • Carpenters: Collectible RP item
  • Tobacco Stores: Tobacco products or collectible RP item
  • Bakery: Baked goods, desserts, or collectible RP item
  • Theatre: Snacks, non-alcoholic beverages, or collectible RP item

Note: Mining companies, undertakers, and tailors are not eligible for custom items.

Storage Upgrades

How storage upgrades work for businesses.

Business Storage

You can upgrade business storage slots for $5 in county currency per slot. Businesses start with 100 slots and can be increased as needed.

Market Stalls

Ownership limits, repossession and illegal item enforcement.

Ownership Limit

One person may only own one market stall.

Illegal Items

Illegal items sold or purchased from market stalls can result in raids and repossession.

Abandoned Stalls

If stalls are abandoned/empty they will be repossessed and removed.

No Resale Refund

Market stalls cannot be resold for reimbursement.

Pinboards & Advertising

Posting limits and what pinboards should be used for.

Posting Rules

  • Advertise the Business

    Pinboards are for advertising the entire business, not individual services.

  • Pinboard Frequency

    Pinboards should only be posted once a day per business.

  • Posters Channel

    Employees advertising personal services should use the business posters channel. Posters can be posted 2–3 times a day per person, but older posts should be deleted first.

  • No Duplicates

    Any duplicated posts will be deleted by staff.

Hideouts

How hideouts work and the key restrictions.

Hideout Information

  • Handled In-County

    Hideouts are handled in county at the shady real estate location. Do not submit a business application for hideouts.

  • Cost

    Hideouts cost $25,000.

  • No Headpopping Inside

    If you headpop inside a hideout you may get stuck. Using t/getout can help you get out if stuck.

  • Inviting Others

    To invite friends, sit at the desk and invite them as co-owner.

Disclaimer

Final notes and responsibility to stay up to date.

Rules Subject to Change

Businesses may appear expensive if you haven't explored the county much — however, money-making opportunities and the economy are designed to match business pricing fairly.

Rules are subject to change, and it is the business owner’s responsibility to stay up to date with changes.