Official local service finder

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 · Riverside

Clear filters

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.

California58 counties

County directory Reviewed service guides available

Map for browsing; agency service areas may differ.

Map source

U.S. Census boundaries via U.S. Atlas · 2017 edition, simplified for display.

County government · Riverside

Transportation Department — Stormwater Compliance Program

County Transportation stormwater registration and business-license referrals. Stormwater registration is a separate programme; it is not a general county business license.

County business-license guidance and separate stormwater registrationOfficial instructions

Riverside County states it has no general business-license programme. A separate stormwater registration applies to covered business activity in the unincorporated area; cities and other permits have their own requirements.

Source checked October 16, 2026

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

Reviewed business licensing instructions

Welcome to Business (Stormwater) Registration for the Stormwater Compliance Program. Although the County of Riverside does not have a business license program, if you are conducting business as defined in Ordinance No. 857 within the unincorporated areas of the County of Riverside you are required to register for a Business (Stormwater) Registration for stormwater compliance.

Saved evidence: 3e7da51f3f1d6894 · Agent source review

Business stormwater registration — county application informationOfficial instructions

Review Ordinance 857.1 applicability and the county’s registration channels. This registration concerns stormwater compliance and is separate from a general business license.

Service area: Covered business activity in unincorporated Riverside County under the county stormwater-registration programme. Area details & sources

Source checked October 16, 2026

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

Reviewed business licensing instructions

What is the application procedure? To obtain a Business (Stormwater) Registration only takes a few minutes and may be completed by mail, in person, by e-mail, or online at www.rctlma.org/trans/stormwatercompliance

Saved evidence: 3e7da51f3f1d6894 · Agent source review

Full guide, contact details & sources →

City government · Riverside

Riverside — Finance — Business Tax Office

City of Riverside business licensing or tax certificates.

Check city Business Tax Certificate requirementsOfficial instructions

Requirements depend on activity conducted in the City of Riverside, including some businesses based outside the city. City business tax is separate from county stormwater registration and other permits.

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

Source checked October 16, 2026

Riverside government · Riverside — business licensing and tax certificates (opens in a new tab)

Reviewed business licensing instructions

If you are planning to conduct business in the City of Riverside you must obtain a City of Riverside business license, also referred to as a business tax.

Saved evidence: daff41d4f414c035 · Agent source review

Apply for a city Business Tax CertificateOfficial online service

Use the city-referred Business License portal. After processing, the programme bills the amount due. A separate TOT or UUT portal is for a different tax.

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

Source checked October 16, 2026

Riverside government · Riverside — city-referred business-license portal menu (opens in a new tab)

Reviewed business licensing instructions

Submit a NEW Business License Application

Saved evidence: 8c7987eca67dab41 · Agent source review

Renew a city Business Tax CertificateOfficial online service

Have the account number and PIN from the mailed renewal notice ready. Follow the annual or other period assigned to your business.

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

Source checked October 16, 2026

Riverside government · Riverside — city-referred business-license portal menu (opens in a new tab)

Reviewed business licensing instructions

RENEW Your Annual Business License

Saved evidence: 8c7987eca67dab41 · Agent source review

Pay an outstanding city Business Tax balanceOfficial online service

Use the Business License payment function for this city account; other city taxes and county registrations are separate.

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

Source checked October 16, 2026

Riverside government · Riverside — city-referred business-license portal menu (opens in a new tab)

Reviewed business licensing instructions

Pay an Outstanding Balance on a Business License

Saved evidence: 8c7987eca67dab41 · Agent source review

Close an existing city Business Tax accountOfficial online service

Use the city-referred closure function and provide the reason for ending this account. Closure of other permits or entity registrations is separate.

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

Source checked October 16, 2026

Riverside government · Riverside — city-referred business-license portal menu (opens in a new tab)

Reviewed business licensing instructions

Close Your Business License Account

Saved evidence: 8c7987eca67dab41 · Agent source review

Request an update to city business-license informationOfficial online service

Use the portal update request; changes in ownership may require a new certificate.

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

Source checked October 16, 2026

Riverside government · Riverside — city-referred business-license portal menu (opens in a new tab)

Reviewed business licensing instructions

Request to UPDATE Account Information

Saved evidence: 8c7987eca67dab41 · Agent source review

Search city Business Tax Certificate recordsOfficial instructions

Search the city Business License records; a record is not proof of every permit or approval.

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

Source checked October 16, 2026

Riverside government · Riverside — city-referred business-license portal menu (opens in a new tab)

Reviewed business licensing instructions

Business search

Saved evidence: 8c7987eca67dab41 · Agent source review

Read the dated city business-tax rate scheduleOfficial instructions

This city-linked PDF explicitly covers November 1, 2025 through October 31, 2026 and says rates adjust each November 1. Check the applicable current period before relying on an amount.

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

Source checked October 16, 2026

Riverside government · Riverside — business licensing programme (opens in a new tab)

Reviewed business licensing instructions

Business Tax Rates

Saved evidence: fe0ca22e27d48b26 · Agent source review

Full guide, contact details & sources →

Selected agencies, with sources checked individually. See all coverage and sources.