Starting a Business in California Cities
City-level guides to starting a business and getting a business license in California cities.
New to this? Start with the California business formation guide, then come back for the specifics.
Starting a Business, City by City
City Business Licenses
Santa Clarita Business License: The City Issues None, but LA County Licenses About 125 Business TypesWho issues it, what it costs, how to applyRead the guide →Oxnard Business Tax Certificate 2026-27: Professions $307, Retail $134 Base and Home Occupation RulesWho issues it, what it costs, how to applyRead the guide →Ontario California Business License: $50 Base Plus $0.20 to $0.55 per $1,000, Warehouses $0.02 per Sq FtWho issues it, what it costs, how to applyRead the guide →Fontana Business License: $35 Initial, $15 Renewal and a Warehouse Option of $0.075 per Square FootWho issues it, what it costs, how to applyRead the guide →South Lake Tahoe Business License and Vacation Rental Permits: 900-Permit Cap, Waitlist From August 21, 2026Who issues it, what it costs, how to applyRead the guide →Los Angeles Business Tax: BTRC Registration and Tax Rate GuideWho issues it, what it costs, how to applyRead the guide →San Diego Business Tax Certificate: Fees, Registration, and Renewal GuideWho issues it, what it costs, how to applyRead the guide →San Francisco Business License: Registration, Fees, and Prop M Tax ChangesWho issues it, what it costs, how to applyRead the guide →San Jose Business Tax Certificate: Registration, Employee-Based Tax and the 2026 Business Tax AmnestyWho issues it, what it costs, how to applyRead the guide →How to Get a Business License in OaklandWho issues it, what it costs, how to applyRead the guide →Sacramento Business License: Business Operations Tax Registration GuideWho issues it, what it costs, how to applyRead the guide →How to Get a Business License in Long BeachWho issues it, what it costs, how to applyRead the guide →How to Get a Business License in FresnoWho issues it, what it costs, how to applyRead the guide →How to Get a Business License in BakersfieldWho issues it, what it costs, how to applyRead the guide →How to Get a Business License in RiversideWho issues it, what it costs, how to applyRead the guide →How to Get a Business License in Santa MonicaWho issues it, what it costs, how to applyRead the guide →How to Get a Business License in BerkeleyWho issues it, what it costs, how to applyRead the guide →How to Get a Business License in Palo AltoWho issues it, what it costs, how to applyRead the guide →How to Get a Business License in PasadenaWho issues it, what it costs, how to applyRead the guide →How to Get a Business License in IrvineWho issues it, what it costs, how to applyRead the guide →How to Get a Business License in ModestoWho issues it, what it costs, how to applyRead the guide →How to Get a Business License in Santa AnaWho issues it, what it costs, how to applyRead the guide →How to Get a Business License in FremontWho issues it, what it costs, how to applyRead the guide →