California · find a service

Check or apply for a business license in California

Check local business license or business tax certificate requirements, the right authority and application options.

In California, 284 city governments and 55 county departments publish 399 official links for this service, 23 of them online. Reviewed requirements cover eligibility (77), documents (55), availability notices (19), payment methods (18), deadlines (11), processing time (4), appointments (3), languages (2) and accessibility (1). 53 counties have a page for it below.

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

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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

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

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

Full guide, contact details & sources →

City government · Marin

City of San Anselmo — Business licensing information

City of San Anselmo

Business license information — City of San AnselmoOfficial instructions

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

Service area: City of San Anselmo Area details & sources

Source checked October 28, 2026

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

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

Business Licenses

Saved evidence: c67f95cfc9e13e8d · Agent source review

Full guide, contact details & sources →

Check or apply for a business license in California

Department of Finance — Central Collections business licenses

City of Belvedere — Business licensing information

City of Corte Madera — Business licensing information

City of Fairfax — Business licensing information

City of Mill Valley — Business licensing information

City of Novato — Business licensing information

City of San Anselmo — Business licensing information

Check or apply for a business license by county