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.

Check or apply for a business license Renew a business license Close or update a business license Look up a business license Register a business for stormwater compliance

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.

7 guides with reviewed service links · Marin

Clear filters

Choose a county on the map

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

California58 counties

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.

County government · Marin

Department of Finance — Central Collections business licenses

Business licensing requirements and referrals depend on the business activity and its location. Read the specific service scope before applying.

Unincorporated Marin business-license requirements and tax categoriesOfficial instructions

Check the county business-license category and the business location. Receipt-based taxes and special flat-fee categories differ; short-term-rental approvals are separate.

Service area: Business licensing for businesses engaging in business in unincorporated Marin County. Area details & sources

Source checked October 16, 2026

Marin County official website · Marin County — business licensing discovery (opens in a new tab)

Reviewed business licensing instructions

Every person engaging in business within the unincorporated area of the County must register for a business license and renew it annually.

Saved evidence: 9b0d0ff24da22585 · Agent source review

Business License ApplicationOfficial online service

Official Finance/Central Collections referral for a new county business-license application.

Service area: County business-license accounts for unincorporated Marin County. Area details & sources

Source checked October 16, 2026

Marin County official website · Marin County — business licensing discovery (opens in a new tab)

Reviewed business licensing instructions

Business License Application

Saved evidence: 9b0d0ff24da22585 · Agent source review

Renew Business LicenseOfficial online service

Use the official county portal to renew an existing county business-license account.

Service area: County business-license accounts for unincorporated Marin County. Area details & sources

Source checked October 16, 2026

Marin County official website · Marin County — business licensing discovery (opens in a new tab)

Reviewed business licensing instructions

Renew Business License

Saved evidence: 9b0d0ff24da22585 · Agent source review

Update Business License InformationOfficial online service

Notify the county of changes to the existing business-license account.

Service area: County business-license accounts for unincorporated Marin County. Area details & sources

Source checked October 16, 2026

Marin County official website · Marin County — business licensing discovery (opens in a new tab)

Reviewed business licensing instructions

Update Business License Information

Saved evidence: 9b0d0ff24da22585 · Agent source review

Request to Close Business LicenseOfficial online service

Use the official county portal to request closure of the business-license account.

Service area: County business-license accounts for unincorporated Marin County. Area details & sources

Source checked October 16, 2026

Marin County official website · Marin County — business licensing discovery (opens in a new tab)

Reviewed business licensing instructions

Request to Close Business License

Saved evidence: 9b0d0ff24da22585 · Agent source review

Search active county business licensesOfficial online service

Use the official county business-license search and check the account and location covered.

Service area: Records of county business-license accounts for unincorporated Marin County. Area details & sources

Source checked October 16, 2026

Marin County official website · Marin County — business licensing discovery (opens in a new tab)

Reviewed business licensing instructions

Search Active Business Licenses

Saved evidence: 9b0d0ff24da22585 · Agent source review

Full guide, contact details & sources →

City government · Marin

City of Belvedere — Business licensing information

City of Belvedere

Business license information — City of BelvedereOfficial instructions

The official source lists “Business License Tax Refund Application Form”. Follow the issuing provider's instructions for requirements and availability.

Service area: City of Belvedere Area details & sources

Source checked October 28, 2026

Belvedere municipal government · Belvedere — business licensing discovery (opens in a new tab)

Exact named official link (entrance only; linked contents not reviewed)

Business License Tax Refund Application Form

Saved evidence: 975ec4c2b4acaf31 · Agent source review

Full guide, contact details & sources →

City government · Marin

City of Corte Madera — Business licensing information

City of Corte Madera

Business license information — City of Corte MaderaOfficial instructions

The official source lists “Apply for a Business License Online”. Follow the issuing provider's instructions for requirements and availability.

Service area: City of Corte Madera Area details & sources

Source checked October 28, 2026

Corte Madera municipal government · Corte Madera — business licensing discovery (opens in a new tab)

Exact named official link (entrance only; linked contents not reviewed)

Apply for a Business License Online

Saved evidence: cdf88298f2968ace · Agent source review

Renew a business license — City of Corte MaderaOfficial instructions

Apply for, or Renew a Business License

Service area: City of Corte Madera Area details & sources

Source checked October 28, 2026

Corte Madera municipal government · Corte Madera — business licensing discovery (opens in a new tab)

Visible topic-specific information on the official page

Apply for, or Renew a Business License

Saved evidence: cdf88298f2968ace · Agent source review

Full guide, contact details & sources →

City government · Marin

City of Fairfax — Business licensing information

City of Fairfax

Business license information — City of FairfaxOfficial instructions

Thank you for your cooperation as we work to maintain a fair and transparent business licensing system for the Fairfax community.

Service area: City of Fairfax Area details & sources

Source checked October 28, 2026

Fairfax municipal government · Fairfax — business licensing discovery (opens in a new tab)

Visible topic-specific information on the official page

Thank you for your cooperation as we work to maintain a fair and transparent business licensing system for the Fairfax community.

Saved evidence: f08a54c99371985b · Agent source review

Full guide, contact details & sources →

City government · Marin

City of Mill Valley — Business licensing information

City of Mill Valley

Business license information — City of Mill ValleyOfficial instructions

The official source lists “Business Licenses”. Follow the issuing provider's instructions for requirements and availability.

Service area: City of Mill Valley Area details & sources

Source checked October 28, 2026

Mill Valley municipal government · Mill Valley — business licensing discovery (opens in a new tab)

Exact named official link (entrance only; linked contents not reviewed)

Business Licenses

Saved evidence: 25734de6805b43a5 · Agent source review

Full guide, contact details & sources →

City government · Marin

City of Novato — Business licensing information

City of Novato

Business license information — City of NovatoOfficial instructions

The official source lists “Business Licenses”. Follow the issuing provider's instructions for requirements and availability.

Service area: City of Novato Area details & sources

Source checked October 28, 2026

Novato municipal government · Novato — business licensing discovery (opens in a new tab)

Exact named official link (entrance only; linked contents not reviewed)

Business Licenses

Saved evidence: 743a23f044dbd6d7 · Agent source review

Renew a business license — City of NovatoOfficial instructions

The official source lists “Business License Portal: Apply, Renew, Make a Payment, Make Changes, or Close a Business”. Follow the issuing provider's instructions for requirements and availability.

Service area: City of Novato Area details & sources

Source checked October 28, 2026

Novato municipal government · Novato — business licensing discovery (opens in a new tab)

Exact named official link (entrance only; linked contents not reviewed)

Business License Portal: Apply, Renew, Make a Payment, Make Changes, or Close a Business

Saved evidence: 743a23f044dbd6d7 · Agent source review

Close or update a business license — City of NovatoOfficial instructions

The official source lists “Business License Portal: Apply, Renew, Make a Payment, Make Changes, or Close a Business”. Follow the issuing provider's instructions for requirements and availability.

Service area: City of Novato Area details & sources

Source checked October 28, 2026

Novato municipal government · Novato — business licensing discovery (opens in a new tab)

Exact named official link (entrance only; linked contents not reviewed)