Fresno — Finance Department — Business Tax Division
Find the local office for a business license or business tax certificate. Check the business activity and place covered by each service.[1]
Source checked October 16, 2026[1]www.fresno.gov
Opens this office’s own website. CountyWiki does not process applications, take payments or provide personal records.
Contact details & office locations ↓Online services & information
These links were found on official source pages. Each service is handled by the office.
Check the city certificate requirement and additional permits for your activity. County FBN, professional licensing and state tax registration are separate processes.
Service area: City of Fresno business activity; city programme, not county-wide licensing. [4]
Before you start
- Eligibility & access
- Some activities need both the business-tax certificate and separate permits. [15]
Obtain approved Zone Clearance first. Submit the approved clearance with the business-tax application online, by mail or at the Business Tax Division counter.
Service area: City of Fresno business activity; city programme, not county-wide licensing. [6]
Use the city-referred payment portal for the business-tax account. Processor charges depend on the payment method.
Service area: City of Fresno business activity; city programme, not county-wide licensing. [8]
Before you start
- Payments · Business-tax card payments — payment processor
- The city lists a 2.3% processor charge for credit/debit cards; this is a percentage, not a $2.30 flat city tax. [16]
Use the city business directory. It is not a certificate of all regulatory approvals.
Service area: City of Fresno business activity; city programme, not county-wide licensing. [10]
Call Business Tax customer service about account changes. Some transactions require your presence; this page does not establish a universal online closure procedure.
Service area: City of Fresno business activity; city programme, not county-wide licensing. [12]
Fees
Fees are quoted only when a source document supports the amount and conditions.
| Service | Amount | Conditions & source |
|---|---|---|
| Business-tax renewal e-check processor charge | $0.89per e-check transaction | Optional payment-processor charge for e-check business-tax renewals, not the business tax or a city-collected licence fee. No effective date is printed.[17] |
These are individual fee items, not a quote for your total. Other charges or exemptions may apply; confirm the total with the office.
Forms & documents
Official forms and document pages for this office’s services.
Sources & last checked1 source page · 21 citations
Sources were checked by an AI-assisted research process. A checked website does not mean every service or fee on it has been reviewed.
- [1] Fresno — business licensing discovery (opens in a new tab)
Fresno municipal government · Reviewed business licensing instructions
Source reviewed October 16, 2026View supporting excerpt
Welcome to the City of Fresno Business Tax Division!
- [2] Fresno — business licensing discovery (opens in a new tab)
Fresno municipal government · Reviewed business licensing instructions
Source reviewed October 16, 2026View supporting excerpt
Owners and persons having ownership interest in businesses operating in the City of Fresno are required by the Fresno Municipal Code to obtain a Business Tax Certificate.
- [3] Fresno — business licensing discovery (opens in a new tab)
Fresno municipal government · Reviewed business licensing instructions
Source reviewed October 16, 2026View supporting excerpt
Owners and persons having ownership interest in businesses operating in the City of Fresno are required by the Fresno Municipal Code to obtain a Business Tax Certificate.
- [4] Fresno — business licensing discovery (opens in a new tab)
Fresno municipal government · Reviewed business licensing instructions
Source reviewed October 16, 2026View supporting excerpt
Owners and persons having ownership interest in businesses operating in the City of Fresno are required by the Fresno Municipal Code to obtain a Business Tax Certificate.
- [5] Fresno — business licensing discovery (opens in a new tab)
Fresno municipal government · Reviewed business licensing instructions
Source reviewed October 16, 2026View supporting excerpt
You may apply for your business tax certificate online or by mail with our printable Business License & Tax Certificate Application.
- [6] Fresno — business licensing discovery (opens in a new tab)
Fresno municipal government · Reviewed business licensing instructions
Source reviewed October 16, 2026View supporting excerpt
Owners and persons having ownership interest in businesses operating in the City of Fresno are required by the Fresno Municipal Code to obtain a Business Tax Certificate.
- [7] Fresno — business licensing discovery (opens in a new tab)
Fresno municipal government · Reviewed business licensing instructions
Source reviewed October 16, 2026View supporting excerpt
Online Business Tax Payment
- [8] Fresno — business licensing discovery (opens in a new tab)
Fresno municipal government · Reviewed business licensing instructions
Source reviewed October 16, 2026View supporting excerpt
Owners and persons having ownership interest in businesses operating in the City of Fresno are required by the Fresno Municipal Code to obtain a Business Tax Certificate.
- [9] Fresno — business licensing discovery (opens in a new tab)
Fresno municipal government · Reviewed business licensing instructions
Source reviewed October 16, 2026View supporting excerpt
Business Directory
- [10] Fresno — business licensing discovery (opens in a new tab)
Fresno municipal government · Reviewed business licensing instructions
Source reviewed October 16, 2026View supporting excerpt
Owners and persons having ownership interest in businesses operating in the City of Fresno are required by the Fresno Municipal Code to obtain a Business Tax Certificate.
- [11] Fresno — business licensing discovery (opens in a new tab)
Fresno municipal government · Reviewed business licensing instructions
Source reviewed October 16, 2026View supporting excerpt
How do I update my tax records or get information? Most transactions can be accomplished by phone (559) 621-6880.
- [12] Fresno — business licensing discovery (opens in a new tab)
Fresno municipal government · Reviewed business licensing instructions
Source reviewed October 16, 2026View supporting excerpt
Owners and persons having ownership interest in businesses operating in the City of Fresno are required by the Fresno Municipal Code to obtain a Business Tax Certificate.
- [13] Fresno — business licensing discovery (opens in a new tab)
Fresno municipal government · Reviewed business licensing instructions
Source reviewed October 16, 2026View supporting excerpt
Please visit our Planning Division to obtain an approved Zone Clearance. This is required before you apply for a City of Fresno Tax Certificate.
- [14] Fresno — business licensing discovery (opens in a new tab)
Fresno municipal government · Reviewed business licensing instructions
Source reviewed October 16, 2026View supporting excerpt
In all cases, please be prepared to provide your approved Zone Clearance document.
- [15] Fresno — business licensing discovery (opens in a new tab)
Fresno municipal government · Reviewed business licensing instructions
Source reviewed October 16, 2026View supporting excerpt
particular businesses will be required to have both business license/tax certificate(s) and specific permit(s) for those activities stipulated by the code.
- [16] Fresno — business licensing discovery (opens in a new tab)
Fresno municipal government · Reviewed business licensing instructions
Source reviewed October 16, 2026View supporting excerpt
Customers who pay by credit card or debit card are now required to pay a 2.3% convenience fee in addition to the amount they choose to pay in business taxes, room tax or dog license fees.
- [17] Fresno — business licensing discovery (opens in a new tab)
Fresno municipal government · Reviewed business licensing instructions
Source reviewed October 16, 2026View supporting excerpt
business owners can now choose to pay with E-check with a flat fee of $0.89 per transaction regardless of the amount owed.
- [18] Fresno — business licensing discovery (opens in a new tab)
Fresno municipal government · Reviewed business licensing instructions
Source reviewed October 16, 2026View supporting excerpt
City of Fresno Business Tax Division 2600 Fresno Street, First Floor, Room 1096 Monday-Friday 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Third Friday Office Closes at 3:00 p.m. Customer Service (559) 621-6880
- [19] Fresno — business licensing discovery (opens in a new tab)
Fresno municipal government · Reviewed business licensing instructions
Source reviewed October 16, 2026View supporting excerpt
City of Fresno Business Tax Division 2600 Fresno Street, First Floor, Room 1096 Monday-Friday 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Third Friday Office Closes at 3:00 p.m. Customer Service (559) 621-6880
- [20] Fresno — business licensing discovery (opens in a new tab)
Fresno municipal government · Reviewed business licensing instructions
Source reviewed October 16, 2026View supporting excerpt
City of Fresno Business Tax Division 2600 Fresno Street, First Floor, Room 1096 Monday-Friday 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Third Friday Office Closes at 3:00 p.m. Customer Service (559) 621-6880
- [21] Fresno — business licensing discovery (opens in a new tab)
Fresno municipal government · Reviewed business licensing instructions
Source reviewed October 16, 2026View supporting excerpt
Business License and Tax Certificate Application (Printable)