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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.

2 guides with reviewed service links · Sacramento

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

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

County government · Sacramento

Finance — Business License Unit

Business licensing

County general, special and tobacco business-license requirementsOfficial instructions

Check the business address and activity. General licenses, special licenses, tobacco retailer licenses and short-term-rental licensing follow different requirements.

Service area: Sacramento County licensing for the specified activities or premises in the unincorporated area; incorporated cities have separate authorities. Area details & sources

Business-license call center

The county FAQ lists weekday call-center hours of 9 am–4 pm; these are separate from counter intake hours.

Official information checked October 16, 2026 · Details & sources

Business License Unit — public counter

The primary page states the last customer is taken at 4:30 pm. A different FAQ cutoff is unresolved; confirm visiting arrangements before going.

Official information checked October 16, 2026 · Details & sources

Source checked October 16, 2026

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

Reviewed business licensing instructions

Sacramento County regulates businesses operating in the areas of the County not located within city limits (the unincorporated area of the County) to promote improved enforcement of ordinances that protect the public and prevent nuisances and neighborhood disturbances.

Saved evidence: 96510546973e4556 · Agent source review

Check the jurisdiction and start a county business-license applicationOfficial instructions

Use the county application gateway to check the address and listed business activities before opening the application.

Service area: County business licensing in unincorporated Sacramento County; check the activity and stated exemptions. Area details & sources

Source checked October 16, 2026

Sacramento County official website · Sacramento County business-license application options (opens in a new tab)

Reviewed business licensing instructions

Will your business perform these activities in the unincorporated area of Sacramento County?

Saved evidence: b46bb37cbb9d168f · Agent source review

Short-term-rental permit, business license and tax portalOfficial online service

Short-term rentals use the separately designated portal. The county does not accept these applications through its ordinary business-license counter, mail or general online application.

Service area: County short-term-rental licensing; confirm the unincorporated-area address and programme requirements. Area details & sources

Short-term rentals only

Use RentalScape for the STR permit, business license and TOT; the ordinary county application channels do not accept STR license applications.

Official information checked October 16, 2026 · Details & sources

Source checked October 16, 2026

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

Reviewed business licensing instructions

Are you interested in operating a Short-Term Rental? Please visit RentalScape to apply for a Permit, Business License, and pay Transient Occupancy Tax. We no longer accept Business License applications in our office, through the mail or the Sacramento County Online Business License application.

Saved evidence: 96510546973e4556 · Agent source review

Full guide, contact details & sources →

City government · Sacramento

Sacramento — Finance — Revenue Division Business Operations Tax

City of Sacramento business licensing or tax certificates.

Check city Business Operations Tax requirementsOfficial instructions

The city requires a Business Operations Tax certificate rather than a general business licence. Special business permits and home-occupation approval can still apply.

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

Source checked October 16, 2026

Sacramento government · Sacramento — Business Operations Tax (opens in a new tab)

Reviewed business licensing instructions

The City of Sacramento does not issue a general business license. Sacramento City Code Chapter 3.08 does require all businesses that operate in the City of Sacramento to obtain a Business Operations Tax certificate.

Saved evidence: a792911f7caa34d3 · Agent source review

Apply online for a city Business Operations Tax accountOfficial online service

Use the city-referred portal or the other application channels in the city instructions. A home business must also submit its Home Occupation Permit application.

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

Source checked October 16, 2026

Sacramento government · Sacramento — Business Operations Tax (opens in a new tab)

Reviewed business licensing instructions

Apply/Renew Online

Saved evidence: a792911f7caa34d3 · Agent source review

Review city business categories and applicable taxesOfficial instructions

Review the city category guidance before calculating a Business Operations Tax amount; no universal amount is inferred.

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

Source checked October 16, 2026

Sacramento government · Sacramento — Business Operations Tax (opens in a new tab)

Reviewed business licensing instructions

Different types of businesses

Saved evidence: a792911f7caa34d3 · Agent source review

Full guide, contact details & sources →