California doesn’t have a general business license at the state-level. Your business may need occupational licenses – or local business licenses or permits. Filing fee for licenses will vary depending on where you’re doing business and what industry you’re in.
Most businesses operating in California need a license from the municipality where located. Whether operating within a municipality or unincorporated area, there will be local regulations to adhere to.
Obtaining Licenses: Key Benefits for Small Businesses
Virtually all businesses will need at least one license or permit to legally operate in California.
A business license (or equivalent) is obtained at the city or county level.
Navigating the Licensing Landscape
While California does not require or issue a statewide business operating license, this doesn’t mean you do not need to have a business license to operate your business in California. Most licensing is controlled at the county or city level, while the only statewide licensing is the “seller’s permit.”
In most California counties and cities, businesses must obtain a business license for tax purposes. Exceptions to this rule are most commonly found in some unincorporated areas of rural counties. In addition to the local business operating license, you may also need other licenses or permits depending on the activity your business is conducting or the location where you are operating.
Business licenses ensure businesses comply with applicable laws, regulations, and standards in their respective industries. They protect public health, safety, and welfare by ensuring businesses operate responsibly and lawfully.
Licenses are regulated at the local, state, and federal levels. At the local level, you can check with your county office to see if your business requires a license and then follow their application procedure. At the state level, use CalGold to apply for a business license. At the federal level, the U.S. Small Business Administration handles licensing.
Each local government and county clerk has a unique set of requirements. The CalGold website will tell you which types of licenses and permits you need depending on your location.
Exemptions and Special Considerations
Who is exempt from obtaining a California business license? In California, businesses operating in unincorporated sections of the state must obtain their license or tax certificate on a county basis.
How do I get a business certificate in California? You can register for a California seller’s permit online with the Department of Tax and Fee Administration. To get a local business license, contact your local government office.
Some California cities refer to a business license as a business tax certificate.
Compliance and Taxation
What happens if you don’t have a business license in California? The standard tax rate in California is set at 1%, meaning that California residents will pay 1% of their property’s value in real property taxes.
Do I have to pay sales tax on a gifted car in CA? If you received a vehicle or vessel as a gift, you are not required to pay California use tax on that gift.
When do you have to register a business in San Francisco? San Francisco’s Business and Tax Regulations Code requires that within 15 days after commencing business, every person engaging in business within the City must register.
How to pay business taxes in San Francisco? The application typically requires basic information, such as your business name, business type, EIN Number, and business address. How much does a business license cost in California? Business licenses cost between $50 and $100.
How do you register a business name in California? If you intend to use a “doing business as” (DBA) name that is different from the official name of your LLC, you must register your DBA within 40 days of the business’s launch.