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Business licenses & tax certificates

Check the local authority, requirements, applications, renewal, changes and public license searches for your business.

Check or apply for a business license Renew a business license Close or update a business license Look up a business license Register a business for stormwater compliance

Before you start

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.

2 guides with reviewed service links · Alameda

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County government · Alameda

Treasurer-Tax Collector

Business licensing

County business-license requirements — unincorporated areasOfficial instructions

Check county licensing requirements before applying. Businesses operating within incorporated city limits must use their city authority.

Service area: Alameda County business licensing is for the unincorporated area; use city licensing within incorporated city limits. Area details & sources

Source checked October 16, 2026

Alameda County official website · Alameda County — business licensing discovery (opens in a new tab)

Reviewed business licensing instructions

You must obtain a business license from Alameda County only if you are conducting any type of business, including leasing residential and commercial property, or your business is based in an unincorporated area of Alameda County. DO NOT APPLY TO ALAMEDA COUNTY IF YOU OPERATE A BUSINESS WITHIN CITY LIMITS.

Saved evidence: d7ce99ba824a47a6 · Agent source review

Start a new Alameda County business-license applicationOfficial online service

Official county referral to the business-license application portal. Confirm the jurisdiction first.

Service area: County business-license application for the unincorporated area, not incorporated cities. Area details & sources

Source checked October 16, 2026

Alameda County official website · Alameda County — business licensing discovery (opens in a new tab)

Reviewed business licensing instructions

New Alameda County Business License

Saved evidence: d7ce99ba824a47a6 · Agent source review

Renew an Alameda County business licenseOfficial online service

Use the county portal with the account number and PIN from your renewal notice.

Service area: County business-license renewal for the unincorporated area. Area details & sources

Source checked October 16, 2026

Alameda County official website · Alameda County — business licensing discovery (opens in a new tab)

Reviewed business licensing instructions

Business License Renewal To renew online, you must have received a Renewal Notice with your Account # and assigned PIN # (Personal Identification Number).

Saved evidence: d7ce99ba824a47a6 · Agent source review

Close an existing Alameda County business licenseOfficial online service

Official county portal referral for an existing business-license account.

Service area: Closure of an existing Alameda County business-license account. Area details & sources

Source checked October 16, 2026

Alameda County official website · Alameda County — business licensing discovery (opens in a new tab)

Reviewed business licensing instructions

Renew or Close Existing Alameda County Business License

Saved evidence: d7ce99ba824a47a6 · Agent source review

Full guide, contact details & sources →

City government · Alameda

Oakland — Finance — Revenue Management Bureau Business Tax

City of Oakland business licensing or tax certificates.

Check city Business Tax Certificate requirementsOfficial instructions

Check the city certificate procedure and any separate Zoning Clearance or seller-permit requirements. The city’s current prose referral uses the HdL portal.

Service area: City of Oakland business activity; city programme, not county-wide licensing. Area details & sources

Source checked October 16, 2026

Oakland government · Oakland — Finance business license certificate (opens in a new tab)

Reviewed business licensing instructions

Oakland based businesses should obtain Zoning Clearance prior to applying for a Business Tax Certificate.

Saved evidence: 6b52570b2ded23b9 · Agent source review

Submit a new city Business Tax applicationOfficial online service

Use the exact city-referred Business Tax application link. Other licences, zoning and state tax requirements remain separate.

Service area: City of Oakland business activity; city programme, not county-wide licensing. Area details & sources

Source checked October 16, 2026

Oakland — city-referred Revenue Management Bureau portal · Oakland — Business Tax portal activities (opens in a new tab)

Reviewed business licensing instructions

Submit NEW Business Tax Application

Saved evidence: 2ac8dcf74e716b12 · Agent source review

Renew a city Business Tax accountOfficial online service

Use the city-referred renewal action for the Business Tax account, not a utility, parking or lodging tax account.

Service area: City of Oakland business activity; city programme, not county-wide licensing. Area details & sources

Source checked October 16, 2026

Oakland — city-referred Revenue Management Bureau portal · Oakland — Business Tax portal activities (opens in a new tab)

Reviewed business licensing instructions

Business Tax Account

Saved evidence: 2ac8dcf74e716b12 · Agent source review

Pay an outstanding city Business Tax balanceOfficial online service

The portal lists full-balance payments only; partial payments are not offered on this action.

Service area: City of Oakland business activity; city programme, not county-wide licensing. Area details & sources

Source checked October 16, 2026

Oakland — city-referred Revenue Management Bureau portal · Oakland — Business Tax portal activities (opens in a new tab)

Reviewed business licensing instructions

Pay Outstanding Business Tax Balance

Saved evidence: 2ac8dcf74e716b12 · Agent source review

Request closure of a city Business Tax accountOfficial online service

Use the portal closure request for this city tax account; other entity or permit closures are separate.

Service area: City of Oakland business activity; city programme, not county-wide licensing. Area details & sources

Source checked October 16, 2026

Oakland — city-referred Revenue Management Bureau portal · Oakland — Business Tax portal activities (opens in a new tab)

Reviewed business licensing instructions

Request to Close Business Tax Account

Saved evidence: 2ac8dcf74e716b12 · Agent source review

Update city Business Tax account informationOfficial online service

Use the account update action for the listed business/mailing address, telephone or email changes. Do not assume a transfer to a new owner.

Service area: City of Oakland business activity; city programme, not county-wide licensing. Area details & sources

Source checked October 16, 2026

Oakland — city-referred Revenue Management Bureau portal · Oakland — Business Tax portal activities (opens in a new tab)

Reviewed business licensing instructions

Update Account Information

Saved evidence: 2ac8dcf74e716b12 · Agent source review

Search city Business Tax recordsOfficial instructions

Use the current portal’s Business Search action. A tax record is not proof of all regulatory approvals.

Service area: City of Oakland business activity; city programme, not county-wide licensing. Area details & sources

Source checked October 16, 2026

Oakland — city-referred Revenue Management Bureau portal · Oakland — Business Tax portal activities (opens in a new tab)

Reviewed business licensing instructions

Business Search

Saved evidence: 2ac8dcf74e716b12 · Agent source review

Full guide, contact details & sources →

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