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Business licenses & tax certificates in California Check the local authority, requirements, applications, renewal, changes and public license searches for your business.
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Before you start · 4 things to check 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. 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.
Showing 23 guides as a short list. Choose your county or type a city above to see each guide’s instructions, conditions and sources here.
City government · Orange
City of Anaheim business licensing or tax certificates.
4 more service links Full guide, contact details & sources → City government · Orange
City of Brea
Full guide, contact details & sources → City government · Orange
City of Costa Mesa
Full guide, contact details & sources → City government · Orange
City of Cypress
Full guide, contact details & sources → City government · Orange
City of Fountain Valley
Full guide, contact details & sources → City government · Orange
City of Fullerton
Full guide, contact details & sources → City government · Orange
City of Garden Grove
Full guide, contact details & sources → City government · Orange
City of Huntington Beach
Full guide, contact details & sources → City government · Orange
City of La Habra
Full guide, contact details & sources → City government · Orange
City of La Palma
Full guide, contact details & sources → City government · Orange
City of Laguna Beach
Full guide, contact details & sources → City government · Orange
City of Laguna Niguel
Full guide, contact details & sources → City government · Orange
City of Orange
Full guide, contact details & sources → City government · Orange
City of Placentia
Full guide, contact details & sources → City government · Orange
City of San Clemente
1 more service link Full guide, contact details & sources → City government · Orange
City of Seal Beach
Full guide, contact details & sources → City government · Orange
City of Tustin
Full guide, contact details & sources → City government · Orange
City of Villa Park
Full guide, contact details & sources → City government · Orange
City of Westminster
Full guide, contact details & sources → City government · Orange
City of Yorba Linda
Full guide, contact details & sources → City government · Orange
City of Irvine business licensing or tax certificates.
Check the PRISM launch and licensing-service maintenance notice (opens in a new tab) Service area: City of Irvine business activity; city programme, not county-wide licensing.
Service availability The city posts a planned October 5–19 licensing-service interruption. The notice does not print a year here; confirm current service availability.
Official information checked October 16, 2026 · Details & sources
Service availability The city says PRISM access details will follow around the announced October 19 launch; this is not a verified working application link.
Official information checked October 16, 2026 · Details & sources
2 more service links Full guide, contact details & sources → County government · Orange
County-published municipal referral directory; it does not establish unincorporated-area licensing rules or county issuance.
Full guide, contact details & sources → City government · Orange
City of Santa Ana business licensing or tax certificates.
3 more service links Full guide, contact details & sources → Selected agencies, with sources checked individually. See all coverage and sources .