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Check or apply for a business license

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

Before you start

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.

3 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

County directory Reviewed service guides available

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

County government · Los Angeles

Tax Collector

Business licensing

Check county business-license jurisdiction and licensed activitiesOfficial instructions

Use the county District Locator and confirm the activity is licensed by the county before applying. The county handles unincorporated locations and the three named contract cities.

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

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

Source checked October 16, 2026

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

Reviewed business licensing instructions

We license certain business activities in the “unincorporated areas” of Los Angeles County (County) and contract cities of Malibu, Santa Clarita, and Westlake Village. We do not process business license applications other than within these jurisdictions.

Saved evidence: 1688bcd7fcd1070b · Agent source review

Start a Los Angeles County business-license applicationOfficial online service

Official county referral to the application portal. Check jurisdiction and the licensable activity list first.

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

Source checked October 16, 2026

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

Reviewed business licensing instructions

We license certain business activities in the “unincorporated areas” of Los Angeles County (County) and contract cities of Malibu, Santa Clarita, and Westlake Village. We do not process business license applications other than within these jurisdictions.

Saved evidence: 1688bcd7fcd1070b · Agent source review

Full guide, contact details & sources →

City government · Los Angeles

Los Angeles — Office of Finance — business tax certificates

City of Los Angeles business licensing or tax certificates.

The city refers registration and business-tax payment or renewal to its Office of Finance. Follow the official Finance site for the applicable procedure.

Service area: City of Los Angeles business activity; city programme, not county-wide licensing. Area details & sources

Source checked October 16, 2026

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

Reviewed business licensing instructions

Register your business and get a Business Tax Certificate. You can also pay and renew business taxes and permits.

Saved evidence: 22d1de820ece2247 · Agent source review

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 requirementsOfficial instructions

Check your business activity and each location. Other city departments may need to approve the application, and an online application is available only for eligible business types.

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

Source checked October 16, 2026

Long Beach government · Long Beach — business licensing general (opens in a new tab)

Reviewed business licensing instructions

All businesses operating within the City of Long Beach need to obtain a business license, including out-of-city or home-based businesses.

Saved evidence: eacae711e913f191 · Agent source review

Apply through the city Business Portal — eligible businessesOfficial online service

Check the eligible business types first. In-person applications are available for all business types; the city also describes mail or email for out-of-city businesses.

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

Service availability

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

Official information checked October 16, 2026 · Details & sources

Source checked October 16, 2026

Long Beach government · Long Beach — business licensing general (opens in a new tab)

Reviewed business licensing instructions

Eligible business types may apply online and get resources on our Business Portal

Saved evidence: eacae711e913f191 · Agent source review

Review city business-license tax categories and current ratesOfficial instructions

The linked rate table applies July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027. Base, employee, state, district and permit charges are separate; these items do not calculate a total bill.

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

Source checked October 16, 2026

Long Beach government · Long Beach — business licensing rates (opens in a new tab)

Reviewed business licensing instructions

The business license tax rate you will be charged depends on the classification of your business.

Saved evidence: cd0de797a941c9a4 · Agent source review

Check tax-exemption applications and documentationOfficial instructions

Tax exemption and obtaining the license are separate. Read the official eligibility and documentation, and confirm the business activity with the division.

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

Source checked October 16, 2026

Long Beach government · Long Beach — business licensing exemptions (opens in a new tab)

Reviewed business licensing instructions

Businesses that are exempt from the business license tax are not exempt from applying for and obtaining a business license.

Saved evidence: 778fc48e45bbd9c4 · Agent source review

Full guide, contact details & sources →