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Business and licensing in California

Business registration, licenses and professional regulation.

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City business licenses do not replace state professional, tax or industry-specific requirements.

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41 reviewed links · San Mateo

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San Mateo, California

County context for browsing. Agency service areas may differ.

Check county business-license applicability and zoning review (opens in a new tab)

Confirm whether the business category needs a county license before applying. The Business License Board and Planning/Building review applications; other license or event fees can apply.

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

Reviewed business licensing instructions

Business Licenses are issued only for certain businesses located in unincorporated San Mateo County. All Business License Applications are reviewed and approved by the County’s Business License Board with the Planning and Building.

Agent source review: October 16, 2026 · Snapshot 00f8e62729b25ddd

Choose the right entity filing (opens in a new tab)

Review entity-specific registration, signature and termination instructions. Sole proprietors, FBNs and local permits use separate routes.

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California Secretary of State · California Secretary of State — FAQs (opens in a new tab)

Main content — Form/register, license or terminate a business entity.

Form/register, license or terminate a business entity.

Agent source review: October 16, 2026 · Snapshot 3aa5c9f2ebe3a3c8

Search records or order a certificate of status (opens in a new tab)

Find business records, certified copies and status certificates; some entity types and No Record requests require paper.

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California Secretary of State · California Secretary of State — Launch service: Get copies of business entity documents (opens in a new tab)

Main content — Certificates, Copies, Status Reports and Processing Times

Certificates, Copies, Status Reports and Processing Times

Agent source review: October 16, 2026 · Snapshot c1684ee2eb5e5eee

Compare drop-off and expedited service (opens in a new tab)

Compare Sacramento handling and expedite charges, cutoffs and preclearance requirements. A timed response can still be a rejection.

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California Secretary of State · California Secretary of State — Service Options (opens in a new tab)

Main content — Drop-Off Service (Special Handling Service)

Drop-Off Service (Special Handling Service)

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Find the board for your profession (opens in a new tab)

Choose the actual board or bureau, then confirm its license type, application, materials, fees and eligibility.

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California Department of Consumer Affairs · California Department of Consumer Affairs — contact them directly through our directory (opens in a new tab)

Main content — Links to DCA Boards and Bureaus

Links to DCA Boards and Bureaus

Agent source review: October 16, 2026 · Snapshot ad99e539ab83c959

Find application, renewal and account help (opens in a new tab)

Some participating boards allow certain license applications and renewals through BreEZe. Use the correct board’s current instructions.

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California Department of Consumer Affairs · California Department of Consumer Affairs — About BreEZe page (opens in a new tab)

Main content — What online services does BreEZe allow?

What online services does BreEZe allow?

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Renew a business license — City of Brisbane (opens in a new tab)

The official source lists “apply for or renew your business license on HdL's online portal”. Follow the issuing provider's instructions for requirements and availability.

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

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

apply for or renew your business license on HdL's online portal

Agent source review: October 28, 2026 · Snapshot bd3ea47dc85cc679

Business license information — City of Colma (opens in a new tab)

You need a business license if your business is physically located within Colma or you conduct business regularly within the Colma Town limits. You must obtain a business license certificate on or before the date the business commences.

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

Visible topic-specific information on the official page

You need a business license if your business is physically located within Colma or you conduct business regularly within the Colma Town limits. You must obtain a business license certificate on or before the date the business commences.

Agent source review: October 28, 2026 · Snapshot 2042b33620c9b816

Business license information — City of Daly City (opens in a new tab)

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

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

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

Business License Requirements & Application

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Renew a business license — City of Daly City (opens in a new tab)

On September 19, 2012, Governor Brown signed into law Senate Bill 1186 which adds a state fee of $1 on any applicant for a local business license or renewal. Effective January 1, 2013 this fee will be required from all new business licenses or renewals.

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

Visible topic-specific information on the official page

On September 19, 2012, Governor Brown signed into law Senate Bill 1186 which adds a state fee of $1 on any applicant for a local business license or renewal. Effective January 1, 2013 this fee will be required from all new business licenses or renewals.

Agent source review: October 28, 2026 · Snapshot 2ccd7175bddc3c6a

Business license information — City of East Palo Alto (opens in a new tab)

The official source lists “Get/Renew My Business License”. Follow the issuing provider's instructions for requirements and availability.

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East Palo Alto municipal government · East Palo Alto — business licensing discovery (opens in a new tab)

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

Get/Renew My Business License

Agent source review: October 28, 2026 · Snapshot 8659c08dd7b86f82

Renew a business license — City of East Palo Alto (opens in a new tab)

The official source lists “Get/Renew My Business License”. Follow the issuing provider's instructions for requirements and availability.

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East Palo Alto municipal government · East Palo Alto — business licensing discovery (opens in a new tab)

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

Get/Renew My Business License

Agent source review: October 28, 2026 · Snapshot 8659c08dd7b86f82

Business license information — City of Foster City (opens in a new tab)

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

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

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

Business License Application

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Business license information — City of Pacifica (opens in a new tab)

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

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

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

Business Licenses Renewals

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Business license directory or lookup — City of Pacifica (opens in a new tab)

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

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

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

Search for a Licensed Business

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Business license information — City of Portola Valley (opens in a new tab)

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

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

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

Apply for a Business License

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Renew a business license — City of Portola Valley (opens in a new tab)

Apply for or Renew a Business License by completing and submitting this application: https://portolavalleyca.portal.opengov.com/categories/1079

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

Visible topic-specific information on the official page

Apply for or Renew a Business License by completing and submitting this application: https://portolavalleyca.portal.opengov.com/categories/1079

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Renew a business license — City of San Bruno (opens in a new tab)

Customers seeking to obtain a new business license or to renew an expired or expiring business license may apply through our Business License Center online, call 650-273-4371 or by email.

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

Visible topic-specific information on the official page

Customers seeking to obtain a new business license or to renew an expired or expiring business license may apply through our Business License Center online, call 650-273-4371 or by email.

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Renew a business license — City of Woodside (opens in a new tab)

The official source lists “Annual Business License Renewal (PDF)”. Follow the issuing provider's instructions for requirements and availability.

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

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

Annual Business License Renewal (PDF)

Agent source review: October 28, 2026 · Snapshot ba024d9663605263

Official state service profiles

These 45 profiles are classified under this topic by California’s official state service directory. The county filter above does not establish local eligibility for them. Confirm availability and requirements on the official profile.