Business License

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HOW TO OBTAIN BUSINESS LICENSES

How to Obtain a Business License in California

Welcome to Business License
City of Los Angeles

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME ALAMEDA COUNTY
  Regular filing takes about 4-7 business days.  See our expedite services.



Starting a Business

Licenses, Tax Ids, and Legal Documents You are Required to Have    

Applies to all states & all businesses:

:  Short Online Easy Quiz to help Start a Business by Determining Whether You Need to Get a Business License i, a Tax Id Number,  Incorporate, Form an LLC, File a DBA, or Register Your Business by Filing a Business License.  You need a  Business License to Start a Home Based Business, eBay, or any Business including Online, Internet and Home Businesses: Click Here 

 

  • Here is what our service includes:
  • Registration of  your fictitious business name in Alameda County.
  • Publication of your fictitious business name in a legally adjudicated newspaper for four consecutive weeks.
  • Filing of proof of publication.

 

Business License.  Do you need One? 

Find out: Take a Quiz that Applies to all states & all businesses:

:  Short Online Easy Quiz to help Start a Business by Determining Whether You Need to Get a Business License i, a Tax Id Number,  Incorporate, Form an LLC, File a DBA, or Register Your Business by Filing a Business License.  You need a  Business License to Start a Home Based Business, eBay, or any Business including Online, Internet and Home Businesses: Click Here 

The City of Los Angeles California .  We are pleased that you have selected our city for your business enterprise.  We are also here to assist you through the business license process.  The information provided to begin the license procedure is not all inclusive. 

Business License Information

With a few exceptions, most Los Angeles California business license tax is computed based on a flat rate plus the number of employees.  For rates associated with your specific business license classification.

The Los Angeles California Municipal Code requires a license for all businesses operating within the City limits to pay an annual business license tax whether or not the business is carried on for profit or not.  The business tax year varies by business license classification. 

  A change in the location of the business will require a new application and approval from the appropriate city departments.  There is a fee associated with this process.

If your business operations cease prior to the expiration date you are required to notify the Business Services Section in writing of the date that your business closed.

A separate license must be obtained for each branch establishment, separate office or place at which business is conducted within the city limits.  A separate license is also required when more than one business activity is conducted at the same location, and the activity falls into a classification other than the original license.


A seller's permit indicating your Los Angeles California business address is required if your business operations involve the sale of retail or wholesale tangible property.

If your business involves the sale of alcoholic beverages you will be required to file and obtain a permit from the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board. 

If the name of the business is different from the owner's full name a fictitious name or DBA must be registered with the Los Angeles California County Recorder or through a local newspaper.  A fictitious name filing is also required for a corporation that is different from the one that is registered in the articles of incorporation.

If you plan to incorporate your business you are required to file and receive approval from the California Secretary of State.


All businesses and residences that have an alarm system that alerts the police department or others of an unlawful entry are required to obtain a permit for the alarm system.  The City of Los Angeles California imposes fines for operating without an alarm permit as well as excessive false alarms.

Any person or entity that owns commercial property within the limits of the city is required to obtain a business tax permit for the building.  Commercial building owners that operate a business on the premises of their building are not exempt but may receive owner occupied credit.

How to Obtain a Business License in California City of Los Angeles