California Business License
General Business License Requirements for California.
Business licenses are often required of business entities, regardless of their products and services. This page provides an overview of business license requirements in California.
California General Business Licenses
California Business License
Not required
General Business License licensure is not required on the State level in California.
Business licensing is conducted at the city level in California.
Local General Business Licenses
Carlsbad Business License
| Agency: | City of Carlsbad Finance Department - Business License Office (CA) |
| Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | No |
| Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | No |
Initial Registration
| Form: | |
| Filing Method: | Mail or online. |
| Agency Fee: | Varies by annual gross receipts. The minimum fee is $34. |
| Turnaround: | 4-6 weeks |
Registration Renewal
| Filing Method: | |
| Agency Fee: | Varies by annual gross receipts. The minimum fee is $34. |
| Due: | Annually by the first day of the registration anniversary month. |
City of Alameda Business License
| Agency: | City of Alameda Finance Department (CA) |
| Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | No |
| Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | No |
Initial Registration
| Form: | |
| Filing Method: | Mail or online. |
| Agency Fee: | Varies by business activity. See the Business License Fee Schedule for details. |
Registration Renewal
| Filing Method: | |
| Agency Fee: | Varies by business activity. See the Business License Fee Schedule for details. |
| Due: | Annually by June 30. |
City of Arcadia Business License
Initial Registration
| Filing Method: | |
| Agency Fee: | Variable, based on industry, specialty, number of vehicles, and/or number of employees. |
| Original Ink: | Not required |
Registration Renewal
| Filing Method: | |
| Agency Fee: | Variable, based on industry, specialty, number of vehicles, and/or number of employees. |
| Due: | Annually. |
| Original Ink: | Not required |
City of Azusa Business License
| Agency: | City of Azusa Economic & Community Development Department - Business Licensing Program (CA) |
Initial Registration
| Filing Method: | |
| Agency Fee: | Fees vary by location, number of employees, and type of business. |
Registration Renewal
| Filing Method: | |
| Agency Fee: | Fees vary by location, number of employees, and type of business. |
| Due: | Annually by the end of the registration anniversary month. |
| Notes: | Renewal notices are mailed 30-45 days prior to the expiration of your business license. |
City of Berkeley Business License
| More Information: | |
| Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | No |
| Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | No |
Initial Registration
| Form: | |
| Filing Method: | Paper |
| Agency Fee: | Varies from $51 – $77, plus a 1-time registration fee of $25 |
| Turnaround: | 3 days - 6 months |
| How to Apply: | Address must be verified by staff as being in the City's database. |
Registration Renewal
| Form: | |
| Filing Method: | Paper |
| Agency Fee: | Varies based on gross receipts |
| Due: | Annually by January 1st |
City of Cupertino Business License
| Agency: | City of Cupertino Finance Department (CA) |
| Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | No |
| Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | No |
Initial Registration
| Form: | |
| Filing Method: | Mail or online. |
| Agency Fee: | Fees vary by business activity. See the Business License Rates document for details. |
Registration Renewal
| Form: | |
| Filing Method: | Mail or online. |
| Agency Fee: | Fees vary by business activity. See the Business License Rates document for details. |
| Due: | Annually by the date of issuance. |
City of Emeryville Business License
| Agency: | City of Emeryville Department of Finance - Business License Office (CA) |
| Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | No |
| Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | No |
Initial Registration
| Form: | |
| Agency Fee: | $61 administrative fee + $25 minimum business license tax |
Registration Renewal
| Form: | |
| Agency Fee: | $10 renewal fee + business tax amount |
| Due: | Annually by January 1. |
City of Fremont Business Tax Certificate
| Agency: | City of Fremont Finance Department - Revenue Division (CA) |
| Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | No |
| Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | No |
Initial Registration
| Filing Method: | |
| Agency Fee: | Upon submitting your business tax application, you will receive a response within 10 business days, specifying the amount due and payment instructions. |
Registration Renewal
| Filing Method: | |
| Agency Fee: | Most business pay a $30 business tax. |
| Due: | Annually by the end of the month following the expiration month of the business. Expiration dates are December 31, March 31, June 30, and September 30. |
City of Hawthorne Out-of-City Business License
| Agency: | City of Hawthorne Licensing Department (CA) |
Initial Registration
| Form: | |
| Agency Fee: | Variable, based on gross receipts. |
| Original Ink: | Not required |
Registration Renewal
| Filing Method: | |
| Agency Fee: | Variable, based on gross receipts. |
| Due: | Annually. |
| Original Ink: | Not required |
City of Mountain View Business License
| Agency: | City of Mountain View Finance and Administrative Services Department (CA) |
| Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | No |
| Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | No |
Initial Registration
| Form: | |
| Filing Method: | Mail, in-person, or email to BusinessLicense@mountainview.gov |
| Agency Fee: | Fees vary by the number of employees a business has. The minimum fee is $75. |
Registration Renewal
| Filing Method: | |
| Agency Fee: | Fees vary by the number of employees a business has. The minimum fee is $75. |
| Due: | Annually by December 31. |
City of Oakland Business Tax Certificate
| More Information: | |
| Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | No |
| Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | No |
Initial Registration
| Form: | |
| Filing Method: | Online |
| Agency Fee: | $95 : $88 non-refundable registration fee, $4 SB1186 fee, $3 Recordation and Technology Fee |
Registration Renewal
| Form: | |
| Filing Method: | Online. File renewal by mail if the business falls under any of the following: |
| Agency Fee: | Varies |
| Due: | Annually |
City of Ontario Business License
| More Information: | |
| Agency: | City of Ontario Investments & Revenue Resources (CA) |
| Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | No |
| Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | No |
Registration Renewal
| Form: | |
| Agency Fee: | Varies baased on gross receipts; $50 base fee plus $4 Sb-1186 fee |
| Due: | Annually by January 31st |
City of Oxnard Business License
| Agency: | City of Oxnard Department of Billing and Licensing (CA) |
Initial Registration
| Form: | Business Tax Certificate Application for Businesses Based Outside Oxnard City Limits |
| Agency Fee: | Variable, based on gross receipts. |
| Original Ink: | Not required |
Registration Renewal
| Form: | Renewal Form |
| Instructions: | A renewal form is mailed to licensees. |
| Agency Fee: | Variable, based on gross receipts. |
| Due: | Annually. |
| Original Ink: | Not required |
City of Palm Springs Business License
| Agency: | City of Palm Springs Finance Department ‐ Business License Tax Division (CA) |
Initial Registration
| Form: | |
| Agency Fee: | Variable, based on industry, specialty, number of vehicles, number of employees, and other factors. |
| Law: | Palm Springs Municipal Code, Chapter 3 |
| Original Ink: | Not required |
Registration Renewal
| Filing Method: | |
| Agency Fee: | Variable, based on industry, specialty, number of vehicles, number of employees, and other factors. |
| Due: | Annually. |
| Original Ink: | Not required |
City of Rialto Business License
| Agency: | City of Rialto Community Development Department (CA) |
Initial Registration
| Form: | |
| Agency Fee: | Variable, based on business classification. |
| Turnaround: | Three to four weeks. |
| Original Ink: | Not required |
Registration Renewal
| Form: | |
| Agency Fee: | Variable, based on business classification. |
| Due: | Annually by December 31st for all business except contractors. Contractor renewals are due one year from the date of issue. |
| Original Ink: | Not required |
City of Riverside Business License
| Agency: | City of Riverside Finance Department (CA) |
Initial Registration
| Form: | |
| Agency Fee: | Variable based on number of employees working in Riverside. |
| Original Ink: | Not required |
Registration Renewal
| Filing Method: | |
| Agency Fee: | Variable based on number of employees working in Riverside. |
| Due: | Annually on the last day of the month in which the license was issued. |
| Original Ink: | Not required |
City of San Ramon Business License
| Agency: | City of San Ramon Administrative Services Department (CA) |
| Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | No |
| Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | No |
Initial Registration
| Form: | |
| Agency Fee: | Varies by business activity; minimum of $54. |
Registration Renewal
| Form: | |
| Agency Fee: | Varies by business activity; minimum of $54. |
| Due: | Annually by the date of issuance. |
City of Ventura Business License
| Agency: | City of Ventura Business Tax Office (CA) |
Initial Registration
| Form: | |
| Agency Fee: | Variable, based on gross receipts and business type (retail, services, or warehousing). |
| Original Ink: | Not required |
Registration Renewal
| Filing Method: | |
| Agency Fee: | Variable, based on gross receipts and business type (retail, services, or warehousing). |
| Due: | Annually by June 30th. |
| Original Ink: | Not required |
City of Visalia Business Tax Certificate
| Agency: | City of Visalia Business Tax Division (CA) |
Initial Registration
| Form: | |
| Agency Fee: | $30.50 application fee; taxes are assessed based on industry and gross receipts. |
| Original Ink: | Not required |
Registration Renewal
| Form: | Declaration of Gross Receipts |
| Instructions: | The Declaration of Gross Receipts form is mailed to license holders each March. |
| Agency Fee: | Variable, based on gross receipts. |
| Due: | Annually by April 30th. |
| Original Ink: | Not required |
City of Vista Business License
Initial Registration
| Form: | |
| Filing Method: | Mail or online. |
| Agency Fee: | Fees vary by annual gross receipts. Minimum of $15 |
Registration Renewal
| Filing Method: | |
| Agency Fee: | Fees vary by annual gross receipts. Minimum of $15 |
| Due: | Annually by September 30. Renewal may be filed as early as 60 days prior to the expiration date. |
City of Watsonville Business License
| Agency: | City of Watsonville Finance Department (CA) |
| Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | No |
| Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | No |
Initial Registration
| Form: | |
| Agency Fee: | Fees vary by business activity. Retail and general businesses (those engaging in any business consisting of selling at retail any goods, wares, merchandise, or commodities, or engaging in any trade, occupation, service, or calling in which the general nature and purpose is retail business) pay a fee based on annual gross receipts:
|
Registration Renewal
| Form: | |
| Agency Fee: | Fees vary by business activity. Retail and general businesses (those engaging in any business consisting of selling at retail any goods, wares, merchandise, or commodities, or engaging in any trade, occupation, service, or calling in which the general nature and purpose is retail business) pay a fee based on annual gross receipts:
|
| Due: | Annually by July 1. |
Covina Business License
| Agency: | City of Covina Finance Department (CA) |
| Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | No |
| Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | No |
Initial Registration
| Filing Method: | |
| Agency Fee: |
|
Registration Renewal
| Filing Method: | |
| Agency Fee: | Fees vary by annual gross receipts. |
| Due: | Annually by December 31. |
Elk Grove Business License
| Agency: | City of Elk Grove Business License Office (CA) |
| Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | No |
| Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | No |
Initial Registration
| Filing Method: | |
| Agency Fee: | $16 minimum fee |
Registration Renewal
| Filing Method: | |
| Agency Fee: | $16 minimum fee |
| Due: | Biennially by the date of issuance. |
Foster City Business License
| Agency: | Foster City Financial Services Department (CA) |
| Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | No |
| Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | No |
Initial Registration
| Form: | |
| Agency Fee: | Minimum fee of $100. See Business License Tax Worksheet on the application for details. |
Registration Renewal
| Form: | |
| Agency Fee: | Varies by annual gross receipts and services offered. |
| Due: | Annually by December 31. |
Fullerton Business Registration
| Agency: | City of Fullerton Administrative Services Department - Business Registration Division (CA) |
| Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | No |
| Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | No |
Initial Registration
| Form: | |
| Agency Fee: | $17 application fee + $4 AB 1379 fee + $22 zoning review fee + registration fee which varies by business type. See this page for more details. |
Registration Renewal
| Filing Method: | |
| Agency Fee: | $11 renewal fee + $4 AB 1379 fee + registration fee which varies by business type. See this page for more details. |
| Due: | Annually by the end of the month prior to the registration anniversary month. For example, if you initially started doing business on September 8th, your renewal would be due annually by August 31. |
Grass Valley Business License
| Agency: | City of Grass Valley Business Licensing Section (CA) |
| Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | No |
| Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | No |
Initial Registration
| Filing Method: | |
| Agency Fee: | See Business Tax Fee Schedule for details. |
Registration Renewal
| Filing Method: | |
| Agency Fee: | See Business Tax Fee Schedule for details. |
| Due: | Annually by December 31. |
Hemet Business License
| Agency: | City of Hemet Finance Department - Business Licensing Section (CA) |
| Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | No |
| Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | No |
Initial Registration
| Form: | Home Based, Service, Retail or Industrial Business Application |
| Agency Fee: | See this page for details. |
Hercules Business License
| Agency: | City of Hercules Finance Department (CA) |
| Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | No |
| Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | No |
Initial Registration
| Form: | |
| Agency Fee: | Varies by annual gross receipts. |
Registration Renewal
| Agency Fee: | Varies by annual gross receipts. |
| Due: | Annually by December 31. |
Los Angeles Business Registration
| Agency: | City of Los Angeles Office of Finance (CA) |
Initial Registration
| Filing Method: | |
| Agency Fee: | Variable, based on gross receipts. |
| Original Ink: | Not required |
Registration Renewal
| Filing Method: | |
| Agency Fee: | Variable, based on gross receipts. |
| Due: | Annually. |
| Original Ink: | Not required |
Los Gatos Business License
| Agency: | Town of Los Gatos Finance Department - Business License Tax Division (CA) |
| Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | No |
| Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | No |
Initial Registration
| Form: | |
| Agency Fee: | Fees are based on annual gross receipts. |
Registration Renewal
| Agency Fee: | Fees are based on annual gross receipts. |
| Due: | Annually by December 31. |
Menifee Business License
| Agency: | City of Menifee Finance Department - Business License Program (CA) |
| Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | No |
| Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | No |
Initial Registration
| Filing Method: | |
| Agency Fee: | See the Fee Schedule for details. |
Registration Renewal
| Filing Method: | |
| Agency Fee: | See the Fee Schedule for details. |
| Due: | Annually by December 31. |
Milpitas Business License
| Agency: | City of Milpitas Finance Department (CA) |
| Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | No |
| Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | No |
Initial Registration
| Form: | |
| Filing Method: | Mail, email, or online. |
| Agency Fee: | $50 application fee + $57 plan check fee + $4 AB 1379 fee + license fee based on business type and number of employees. |
Registration Renewal
| Filing Method: | |
| Agency Fee: | $25 processing fee + $4 AB 1379 fee + license fee based on business type and number of employees. |
| Due: | Annually by January 1. |
| Notes: | Renewal notices are mailed 45 days prior to the expiration of your business license. |
Novato Business License
| Agency: | City of Novato Finance Department - Business Licensing Division (CA) |
| Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | No |
| Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | No |
Initial Registration
| Form: | |
| Filing Method: | Mail, email to BL@novato.org, or online. |
| Agency Fee: | See the Fee Schedule for details. |
Registration Renewal
| Filing Method: | |
| Agency Fee: | See the Fee Schedule for details. |
| Due: | Annually by December 31. |
Pasadena Business License - General
| Agency: | Pasadena Department of Finance (CA) |
| Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | No |
| Notes: | The general business license category applies to every person engaged in the business of retailing, merchandising, wholesaling, manufacturing, processing, distributing, warehousing or utility services, not otherwise specifically provided for in Chapters 5.04 through 5.16. |
| Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | No |
Initial Registration
| Form: | |
| Filing Method: | Mail or online. |
| Agency Fee: | $75 plus $15 for each employee in excess of 1. |
Registration Renewal
| Filing Method: | |
| Agency Fee: | $75 plus $15 for each employee in excess of 1. |
| Due: | Annually by August 31. |
Pasadena Business License - Professional
Initial Registration
| Form: | |
| Filing Method: | Mail or online. |
| Agency Fee: | For the first professional—$200; |
Registration Renewal
| Filing Method: | |
| Agency Fee: | For the first professional—$200; |
| Due: | Annually by March 31. |
Pasadena Business License - Service
| Agency: | Pasadena Department of Finance (CA) |
| Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | No |
| Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | No |
Initial Registration
| Form: | |
| Filing Method: | Mail or online. |
| Agency Fee: | $75.00 plus $15.00 for each employee in excess of 1. |
Registration Renewal
| Filing Method: | |
| Agency Fee: | $75.00 plus $15.00 for each employee in excess of 1. |
| Due: | Annually by May 31. |
Pleasanton Business License
| Agency: | City of Pleasanton Business License Division (CA) |
| Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | No |
| Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | No |
Initial Registration
| Form: | |
| Agency Fee: | Varies by gross receipts:
|
Registration Renewal
| Filing Method: | |
| Agency Fee: | Varies by gross receipts:
|
| Due: | Annually by December 31. |
Rancho Palos Verdes Business License
| Agency: | Rancho Palos Verdes Finance Department - Business License Office (CA) |
| Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | No |
| Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | No |
Initial Registration
| Filing Method: | |
| Agency Fee: | Varies by gross receipts and services provided. |
Registration Renewal
| Filing Method: | |
| Agency Fee: | Varies by gross receipts and services provided. |
| Due: | Annually by December 31. |
San Dimas Business License
| Agency: | City of San Dimas Administration Department - Finance Division (CA) |
| Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | No |
| Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | No |
Initial Registration
| Form: | |
| Agency Fee: | See the Business License Fees sheet for details. |
Registration Renewal
| Agency Fee: | See the Business License Fees sheet for details. |
| Due: | Annually by the registration anniversary date. |
San Francisco Business Registration
| Agency: | City and County of San Francisco Office of the Treasurer & Tax Collector |
| Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | No |
| Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | No |
Initial Registration
| Filing Method: | |
| Agency Fee: | Fees vary and depend on your business activities and gross receipts or payroll expense. See the table on this page under the "How much does it cost to register?" section for details. |
Registration Renewal
| Filing Method: | |
| Agency Fee: | Fees vary and depend on your business activities and gross receipts or payroll expense for the previous fiscal year. |
| Due: | Registrations expire annually on June 30 but must be renewed by May 31. |
San Jacinto Business License
| Agency: | City of San Jacinto Finance Department - Business Licensing Section (CA) |
| Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | No |
| Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | No |
Initial Registration
| Form: | |
| Agency Fee: | Fees are based on the number of full-time employees working in San Jacinto. |
Registration Renewal
| Filing Method: | |
| Agency Fee: | Fees are based on the number of full-time employees working in San Jacinto. |
| Due: | Annually by December 31. |
San Joaquin County Business License
Initial Registration
| Form: | |
| Agency Fee: | $100 |
Registration Renewal
| Agency Fee: | $100 |
| Due: | Annually by the date of issuance. |
| Penalties: | There is a $10 late fee. |
| Notes: | Renewal forms are sent in the mail every year. |
Santa Ana Business License
| Agency: | City of Santa Ana Finance and Management Services (CA) |
Initial Registration
| Form: | |
| Agency Fee: | Variable, based on type of business. |
| Original Ink: | Not required |
Registration Renewal
| Form: | Business Tax Bill |
| Instructions: | A bill will be mailed, or you can contact the Tax and License section at (714) 647-5447 to obtain a tax bill. |
| Agency Fee: | Variable, based on type of business. |
| Due: | Annually. |
| Original Ink: | Not required |
Santa Clara Business License
Initial Registration
| Form: | |
| Filing Method: | Mail, in-person, or online. |
| Agency Fee: | Varies by services offered and number of employees. See application for details. |
Registration Renewal
| Filing Method: | |
| Agency Fee: | Varies by services offered and number of employees. |
| Due: | Annually by the registration anniversary date. |
Santa Clara County Business License
Not required
General Business License licensure is not required on the County level in Santa Clara County.
Santa Clara County does not currently issue business licenses.
Stanton Business License
| Agency: | City of Stanton Business Licensing Department (CA) |
| Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | No |
| Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | No |
Initial Registration
| Filing Method: | |
| Agency Fee: |
|
Registration Renewal
| Filing Method: | |
| Agency Fee: | Varies by number of employees and services provided. |
| Due: | Annually by December 31. |
West Covina Business License
| Agency: | City of West Covina Finance Department - Business Licensing Division (CA) |
| Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | No |
| Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | No |
Initial Registration
| Form: | |
| Filing Method: | Mail or online. |
| Agency Fee: | See the Business License Tax & Fee Schedule for details. |
Registration Renewal
| Filing Method: | |
| Agency Fee: | See the Business License Tax & Fee Schedule for details. |
| Due: | Annually by December 31. |
Learn about general business licensing requirements in other states:
