Check or apply for a business license in El Dorado County, CA

Use the official county application, home-business checklist and departmental approval instructions. A business-license receipt does not replace other required permits.

Service area: County licenses for businesses located or operating in unincorporated El Dorado County; check the stated exemptions.

Before you start · 7 requirements & conditions

Eligibility & access · Planning approval: Planning and Building approval is required except for approved home-based business applications.
Source & saved evidence
El Dorado County official website · El Dorado County official website — business licence steps review source (opens in a new tab)
PDF page 1
All business license applications (except approved home-based business applications) must be approved by the Planning and Building Department.
Agent source review: October 16, 2026 · Snapshot 8c7fdea4542acd79
Information & documents · Home-based business applications: Include the home-business checklist with the online or mailed application.
Source & saved evidence
El Dorado County official website · El Dorado County official website — business licence steps review source (opens in a new tab)
PDF page 1
If you are a home-based business, please complete the Home-Based Business License Checklist and upload it as an attachment, if you are working online, or attach it to your application to be mailed to the Tax Collector.
Agent source review: October 16, 2026 · Snapshot 8c7fdea4542acd79
Processing time · Issuance after required approvals and payment: The stated seven-working-day dispatch period follows completed payment and required approvals. It is not a total application approval time.
Source & saved evidence
El Dorado County official website · El Dorado County official website — business licence steps review source (opens in a new tab)
PDF page 2
After completing the online application process, your business will be reviewed and you will receive an email to complete any approvals that are not done electronically and to complete the payment process. Once the payment is completed, your business license will be sent to the email or mailing address on the application within seven working days.
Agent source review: October 16, 2026 · Snapshot 8c7fdea4542acd79
Eligibility & access · Home-based business checklist: The checklist addresses activities at the residence; it does not cover remote work locations.
Source & saved evidence
El Dorado County official website · El Dorado County official website — business licence home-checklist review source (opens in a new tab)
PDF page 1
(This Checklist applies only to activities happening at the residence, not to any remote work location(s).)
Agent source review: October 16, 2026 · Snapshot 4aaa333d805ca628
Eligibility & access · Separate approvals: The business-license receipt does not replace required county clearances or permits.
Source & saved evidence
El Dorado County official website · El Dorado County official website — business licence application review source (opens in a new tab)
PDF page 2
The issuance of a Business License does not constitute a license to operate. All clearances and/or permits for all El Dorado County departments must be obtained, and I must comply with all other ordinances and/or laws.
Agent source review: October 16, 2026 · Snapshot 778280e15046ac3a
Eligibility & access · County-code exemptions: Check the county-code exemptions before applying; the FAQ does not list them individually.
Source & saved evidence
El Dorado County official website · El Dorado County official website — business-license faq (opens in a new tab)
PDF page 2
The exemptions are listed in Title 5 Chapter 5 §5.08.070.
Agent source review: October 16, 2026 · Snapshot 0e8e778eccaf09e6
Eligibility & access · Separate business locations: The county FAQ requires a separate license for each separate place of business.
Source & saved evidence
El Dorado County official website · El Dorado County official website — business-license faq (opens in a new tab)
PDF page 2
A separate business license is required for each separate place of business, even though two or more of the businesses are owned or operated by the same person.
Agent source review: October 16, 2026 · Snapshot 0e8e778eccaf09e6