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California

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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.

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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.

14 guides with reviewed service links · San Diego

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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 14 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 · San Diego

Chula Vista — Finance Department — Business Licenses

City of Chula Vista business licensing or tax certificates.

Check city business-license requirements (opens in a new tab)

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

Apply online for a city business license (opens in a new tab)

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

Review city business-license taxes and fees (opens in a new tab)

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

1 more service link
Find current Finance contacts and business hours (opens in a new tab)

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

Full guide, contact details & sources →
City government · San Diego

San Diego — Office of the City Treasurer — Business Tax

City of San Diego business licensing or tax certificates.

Check city Business Tax Certificate requirements (opens in a new tab)

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

Apply for a city Business Tax Certificate (opens in a new tab)

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

Review city Business Tax rates, employee charges and penalties (opens in a new tab)

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

3 more service links
Contact the city Business Tax Program (opens in a new tab)

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

Book a city Business Tax registration appointment (opens in a new tab)

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

Review city Business Tax exemption information (opens in a new tab)

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

Full guide, contact details & sources →

Check or apply for a business license by county