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California · official local service finder

Business licenses & tax certificates in California

Check the local authority, requirements, applications, renewal, changes and public license searches for your business.

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Before you start · 4 things to check
  • Start with where your business is located and where it will operate. A county license may apply only to unincorporated areas or specific activities; cities can have their own requirements.
  • Some county offices provide guidance or referrals and do not issue a general business license. Read the entry before choosing an application.
  • A business license or tax certificate, an FBN/DBA filing, business entity registration and a professional license serve different purposes. Zoning, health and other activity permits may also apply. Business stormwater registration is a separate local programme where required.
  • Check the license period, renewal date and rules for changes in ownership or location. A renewal may not cover a move or a new owner. Fees and application steps depend on the license category.

55 guides with reviewed service links · Los Angeles

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Highlighted counties have a reviewed service guide matching this selection. An agency may serve only a city or part of a county.

California58 counties
California county mapChoose a county to open its directory. Use the county search and list for smaller counties.Alameda County: open directoryAlpine County: open directoryAmador County: open directoryButte County: open directoryCalaveras County: open directoryColusa County: open directoryContra Costa County: open directoryDel Norte County: open directoryEl Dorado County: open directoryFresno County: open directoryGlenn County: open directoryHumboldt County: open directoryImperial County: open directoryInyo County: open directoryKern County: open directoryKings County: open directoryLake County: open directoryLassen County: open directoryLos Angeles County: open directoryMadera County: open directoryMarin County: open directoryMariposa County: open directoryMendocino County: open directoryMerced County: open directoryModoc County: open directoryMono County: open directoryMonterey County: open directoryNapa County: open directoryNevada County: open directoryOrange County: open directoryPlacer County: open directoryPlumas County: open directoryRiverside County: open directorySacramento County: open directorySan Benito County: open directorySan Bernardino County: open directorySan Diego County: open directorySan Francisco County: open directorySan Joaquin County: open directorySan Luis Obispo County: open directorySan Mateo County: open directorySanta Barbara County: open directorySanta Clara County: open directorySanta Cruz County: open directoryShasta County: open directorySierra County: open directorySiskiyou County: open directorySolano County: open directorySonoma County: open directoryStanislaus County: open directorySutter County: open directoryTehama County: open directoryTrinity County: open directoryTulare County: open directoryTuolumne County: open directoryVentura County: open directoryYolo County: open directoryYuba County: open directory
County directory Reviewed service guides available
Map for browsing; agency service areas may differ.
Map source

U.S. Census boundaries via U.S. Atlas · 2017 edition, simplified for display.

Showing 55 guides as a short list. Choose your county or type a city above to see each guide’s instructions, conditions and sources here.

City government · Los Angeles

City of La Cañada Flintridge — Business licensing information

City of La Cañada Flintridge

1 more service link
Full guide, contact details & sources →
City government · Los Angeles

Long Beach — Financial Management — Business License Division

City of Long Beach business licensing or tax certificates.

Check city licensing and business-activity requirements (opens in a new tab)

Service area: City of Long Beach business activity; city programme, not county-wide licensing.

Apply through the city Business Portal — eligible businesses (opens in a new tab)

Service area: City of Long Beach business activity; city programme, not county-wide licensing.

Service availability

Submitting the application is not an issued license or permission to begin operating.

Official information checked October 16, 2026 · Details & sources

Pay or renew a city business license (opens in a new tab)

Service area: City of Long Beach business activity; city programme, not county-wide licensing.

4 more service links
Update business information or close a city license (opens in a new tab)

Service area: City of Long Beach business activity; city programme, not county-wide licensing.

Look up a city business-license record (opens in a new tab)

Service area: City of Long Beach business activity; city programme, not county-wide licensing.

Review city business-license tax categories and current rates (opens in a new tab)

Service area: City of Long Beach business activity; city programme, not county-wide licensing.

Check tax-exemption applications and documentation (opens in a new tab)

Service area: City of Long Beach business activity; city programme, not county-wide licensing.

Full guide, contact details & sources →
County government · Los Angeles

Tax Collector

Business licensing

Check county business-license jurisdiction and licensed activities (opens in a new tab)

Service area: Certain county-licensed activities in unincorporated Los Angeles County and Malibu, Santa Clarita or Westlake Village.

Business-license assistance

Use the Business License Section contact, not the telephone numbers shown in District Locator results.

Official information checked October 16, 2026 · Details & sources

Start a Los Angeles County business-license application (opens in a new tab)

Service area: Specified county-licensed activities in unincorporated areas and Malibu, Santa Clarita or Westlake Village.

Find county instructions for an existing business-license search (opens in a new tab)

Service area: Records of county licenses for specified activities in unincorporated areas and Malibu, Santa Clarita or Westlake Village.

Full guide, contact details & sources →

Selected agencies, with sources checked individually. See all coverage and sources.