Start a Specific Business in California

Industry-by-industry guides to licenses, permits, startup costs and first steps for 69 kinds of California business.

New to this? Start with the California business formation guide, then come back for the specifics.

an ADU Building Business: 60-Day Permit Clock and the CSLB License You NeedLicenses, permits and startup costs in CaliforniaRead the guide →a Tree Service Business: CSLB License, Workers' Comp and the 15-Foot ExemptionLicenses, permits and startup costs in CaliforniaRead the guide →a Solar Installation Business: C-46 License, Bond and Experience RulesLicenses, permits and startup costs in CaliforniaRead the guide →an Esthetician Business: 600 Hours, $115 Exam Application, Lash and Brow RulesLicenses, permits and startup costs in CaliforniaRead the guide →a Tattoo Shop: Body Art Facility Permit, Practitioner Registration, Age RulesLicenses, permits and startup costs in CaliforniaRead the guide →a Pest Control Business: SPCB Operator License, Branches and Company RegistrationLicenses, permits and startup costs in CaliforniaRead the guide →a Security Company: BSIS Private Patrol Operator License and Guard TrainingLicenses, permits and startup costs in CaliforniaRead the guide →a Property Management Company: The Broker License Rule for Collecting RentLicenses, permits and startup costs in CaliforniaRead the guide →a Home Care Business: CDSS License, $5,603 Fee, $1M/$3M Insurance, $10,000 BondLicenses, permits and startup costs in CaliforniaRead the guide →an Assisted Living Facility: RCFE License Fees From $495.60 and 80-Hour CourseLicenses, permits and startup costs in CaliforniaRead the guide →a Home Daycare: $73 or $140 License, 8 or 14 Children, No Local Business TaxLicenses, permits and startup costs in CaliforniaRead the guide →a Packaged Food Business: CDPH Registration $524 to $1,482 Plus $100 FeeLicenses, permits and startup costs in CaliforniaRead the guide →a Bar: Type 48 and 47 Drawing, $19,840 Application or Type 42 With No DrawingLicenses, permits and startup costs in CaliforniaRead the guide →a Brewery: Type 23 Small Brewer ($1,135 Application, $500 a Year), No SpiritsLicenses, permits and startup costs in CaliforniaRead the guide →a Winery: Type 02 Fees From $155, Tasting Rights and $30 Direct Shipper PermitLicenses, permits and startup costs in CaliforniaRead the guide →a Liquor Store: Type 20 at $500, Type 21 at $1,009 and the $450 Tobacco LicenseLicenses, permits and startup costs in CaliforniaRead the guide →a Cannabis Dispensary: DCC License Fees From $2,500 and 238 Places Allowing RetailLicenses, permits and startup costs in CaliforniaRead the guide →a Moving Company: BHGS Household Mover Permit ($500), No DMV Motor Carrier PermitLicenses, permits and startup costs in CaliforniaRead the guide →a Limo or Party Bus Business: CPUC Charter-Party Permit, Fees and Insurance TiersLicenses, permits and startup costs in CaliforniaRead the guide →an Auto Repair Shop: BAR Dealer Registration and the Three-Year Lapse RuleLicenses, permits and startup costs in CaliforniaRead the guide →a Car Wash: Labor Commissioner Registration and the $150,000 Surety BondLicenses, permits and startup costs in CaliforniaRead the guide →a Short-Term Rental: No State License, So San Diego, SF and LA Rules DecideLicenses, permits and startup costs in CaliforniaRead the guide →a Travel Agency: Seller of Travel Registration, $100 a Location and Trust AccountsLicenses, permits and startup costs in CaliforniaRead the guide →a Tech Startup: Delaware vs California, the $800 Tax and Why SaaS Is Not TaxedLicenses, permits and startup costs in CaliforniaRead the guide →an Auto Detailing BusinessLicenses, permits and startup costs in CaliforniaRead the guide →a BakeryLicenses, permits and startup costs in CaliforniaRead the guide →a Barbershop BusinessLicenses, permits and startup costs in CaliforniaRead the guide →a Bookkeeping BusinessLicenses, permits and startup costs in CaliforniaRead the guide →a Catering BusinessLicenses, permits and startup costs in CaliforniaRead the guide →a Chiropractic PracticeLicenses, permits and startup costs in CaliforniaRead the guide →a Cleaning BusinessLicenses, permits and startup costs in CaliforniaRead the guide →a Coffee ShopLicenses, permits and startup costs in CaliforniaRead the guide →a Consulting BusinessLicenses, permits and startup costs in CaliforniaRead the guide →a Courier and Delivery ServiceLicenses, permits and startup costs in CaliforniaRead the guide →a Daycare BusinessLicenses, permits and startup costs in CaliforniaRead the guide →a Dental PracticeLicenses, permits and startup costs in CaliforniaRead the guide →an Ecommerce or Online Store BusinessLicenses, permits and startup costs in CaliforniaRead the guide →an Electrician BusinessLicenses, permits and startup costs in CaliforniaRead the guide →an Event Planning BusinessLicenses, permits and startup costs in CaliforniaRead the guide →a Fitness Studio or Gym BusinessLicenses, permits and startup costs in CaliforniaRead the guide →a Food Truck BusinessLicenses, permits and startup costs in CaliforniaRead the guide →a General Contractor BusinessLicenses, permits and startup costs in CaliforniaRead the guide →a Hair Salon BusinessLicenses, permits and startup costs in CaliforniaRead the guide →a Handyman BusinessLicenses, permits and startup costs in CaliforniaRead the guide →a Home Health Care BusinessLicenses, permits and startup costs in CaliforniaRead the guide →a Home Inspection BusinessLicenses, permits and startup costs in CaliforniaRead the guide →an HVAC BusinessLicenses, permits and startup costs in CaliforniaRead the guide →a Junk Removal BusinessLicenses, permits and startup costs in CaliforniaRead the guide →a Landscaping BusinessLicenses, permits and startup costs in CaliforniaRead the guide →a Massage Therapy BusinessLicenses, permits and startup costs in CaliforniaRead the guide →a Meal Prep or Ghost Kitchen BusinessLicenses, permits and startup costs in CaliforniaRead the guide →a Med Spa BusinessLicenses, permits and startup costs in CaliforniaRead the guide →a Nail Salon BusinessLicenses, permits and startup costs in CaliforniaRead the guide →a Nonprofit OrganizationLicenses, permits and startup costs in CaliforniaRead the guide →a Notary BusinessLicenses, permits and startup costs in CaliforniaRead the guide →a Painting BusinessLicenses, permits and startup costs in CaliforniaRead the guide →a Personal Training BusinessLicenses, permits and startup costs in CaliforniaRead the guide →a Pet Grooming BusinessLicenses, permits and startup costs in CaliforniaRead the guide →a Photography BusinessLicenses, permits and startup costs in CaliforniaRead the guide →a Plumbing BusinessLicenses, permits and startup costs in CaliforniaRead the guide →a Real Estate BusinessLicenses, permits and startup costs in CaliforniaRead the guide →a RestaurantLicenses, permits and startup costs in CaliforniaRead the guide →a Roofing BusinessLicenses, permits and startup costs in CaliforniaRead the guide →a Tax Preparation BusinessLicenses, permits and startup costs in CaliforniaRead the guide →a Towing BusinessLicenses, permits and startup costs in CaliforniaRead the guide →a Trucking or Freight BusinessLicenses, permits and startup costs in CaliforniaRead the guide →a Tutoring BusinessLicenses, permits and startup costs in CaliforniaRead the guide →a Vending Machine BusinessLicenses, permits and startup costs in CaliforniaRead the guide →a Yoga or Pilates StudioLicenses, permits and startup costs in CaliforniaRead the guide →