Who needs a city business license or business tax registration in California?
Issued by Your city; in Los Angeles the Office of Finance (Business Tax Registration Certificate), at step 2 of 6 in the opening sequence: register for tax.
Every kind of business in California
The California table lists this for every kind of business.
Nearly every California city requires a license or tax certificate for a business at an address inside it, and many check zoning for the address before issuing one. Apply before opening; Los Angeles issues a temporary certificate at once and mails the permanent one.
Checked Oct 17, 2026 against the agency’s page.
Step 2 of 6: Register for tax
1Set up the business
2Register for tax
3Approve the space
4Get the permits for your kind of business
5Alcohol permits
6Before the first hire
Issued by Your city; in Los Angeles the Office of Finance (Business Tax Registration Certificate).
Sources and dates
City of Los Angeles Office of Finance business tax registration pages. Checked against the agency’s page on the date shown; cities add their own fees.
Questions about opening here.
Yes. Nearly every California city requires a license or tax certificate for a business at an address inside it, and many check zoning for the address before issuing one.
Yes. Nearly every California city requires a license or tax certificate for a business at an address inside it, and many check zoning for the address before issuing one.
Yes. Nearly every California city requires a license or tax certificate for a business at an address inside it, and many check zoning for the address before issuing one.
Yes. Nearly every California city requires a license or tax certificate for a business at an address inside it, and many check zoning for the address before issuing one.
Yes. Nearly every California city requires a license or tax certificate for a business at an address inside it, and many check zoning for the address before issuing one.
Yes. Nearly every California city requires a license or tax certificate for a business at an address inside it, and many check zoning for the address before issuing one.
Yes. Nearly every California city requires a license or tax certificate for a business at an address inside it, and many check zoning for the address before issuing one.
Yes. Nearly every California city requires a license or tax certificate for a business at an address inside it, and many check zoning for the address before issuing one.
Yes. Nearly every California city requires a license or tax certificate for a business at an address inside it, and many check zoning for the address before issuing one.
Yes. Nearly every California city requires a license or tax certificate for a business at an address inside it, and many check zoning for the address before issuing one.
Yes. Nearly every California city requires a license or tax certificate for a business at an address inside it, and many check zoning for the address before issuing one.
Yes. Nearly every California city requires a license or tax certificate for a business at an address inside it, and many check zoning for the address before issuing one.
Yes. Nearly every California city requires a license or tax certificate for a business at an address inside it, and many check zoning for the address before issuing one.
Yes. Nearly every California city requires a license or tax certificate for a business at an address inside it, and many check zoning for the address before issuing one.
Yes. Nearly every California city requires a license or tax certificate for a business at an address inside it, and many check zoning for the address before issuing one.
Yes. Nearly every California city requires a license or tax certificate for a business at an address inside it, and many check zoning for the address before issuing one.
Yes. Nearly every California city requires a license or tax certificate for a business at an address inside it, and many check zoning for the address before issuing one.
Yes. Nearly every California city requires a license or tax certificate for a business at an address inside it, and many check zoning for the address before issuing one.
Yes. Nearly every California city requires a license or tax certificate for a business at an address inside it, and many check zoning for the address before issuing one.
Yes. Nearly every California city requires a license or tax certificate for a business at an address inside it, and many check zoning for the address before issuing one.
Your city; in Los Angeles the Office of Finance (Business Tax Registration Certificate).
Step 2 of 6, register for tax. The steps before it: set up the business.
Who needs a city business license in California? | DoorWorthy
