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Business and licensing

Business registration, licenses and professional regulation.

City business licenses do not replace state professional, tax or industry-specific requirements.

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25 reviewed links · Los Angeles

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Los Angeles, California

County context for browsing. Agency service areas may differ.

Check county business-license jurisdiction and licensed activities (opens in a new tab)

Use the county District Locator and confirm the activity is licensed by the county before applying. The county handles unincorporated locations and the three named contract cities.

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

Reviewed business licensing instructions

We license certain business activities in the “unincorporated areas” of Los Angeles County (County) and contract cities of Malibu, Santa Clarita, and Westlake Village. We do not process business license applications other than within these jurisdictions.

Agent source review: October 16, 2026 · Snapshot 1688bcd7fcd1070b

Start a Los Angeles County business-license application (opens in a new tab)

Official county referral to the application portal. Check jurisdiction and the licensable activity list first.

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

Reviewed business licensing instructions

We license certain business activities in the “unincorporated areas” of Los Angeles County (County) and contract cities of Malibu, Santa Clarita, and Westlake Village. We do not process business license applications other than within these jurisdictions.

Agent source review: October 16, 2026 · Snapshot 1688bcd7fcd1070b

Register a city business tax certificate or find renewal help (opens in a new tab)

The city refers registration and business-tax payment or renewal to its Office of Finance. Follow the official Finance site for the applicable procedure.

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Los Angeles municipal government · Los Angeles — business licensing discovery (opens in a new tab)

Reviewed business licensing instructions

Register your business and get a Business Tax Certificate. You can also pay and renew business taxes and permits.

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Check city licensing and business-activity requirements (opens in a new tab)

Check your business activity and each location. Other city departments may need to approve the application, and an online application is available only for eligible business types.

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Long Beach government · Long Beach — business licensing general (opens in a new tab)

Reviewed business licensing instructions

All businesses operating within the City of Long Beach need to obtain a business license, including out-of-city or home-based businesses.

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Apply through the city Business Portal — eligible businesses (opens in a new tab)

Check the eligible business types first. In-person applications are available for all business types; the city also describes mail or email for out-of-city businesses.

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Long Beach government · Long Beach — business licensing general (opens in a new tab)

Reviewed business licensing instructions

Eligible business types may apply online and get resources on our Business Portal

Agent source review: October 16, 2026 · Snapshot eacae711e913f191

Pay or renew a city business license (opens in a new tab)

Have the e-account number from your bill ready. Contact the division to correct account information before renewing. The processor charges an additional fee; an amount is not inferred.

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Long Beach government · Long Beach — business licensing renew (opens in a new tab)

Reviewed business licensing instructions

You can pay or renew online using the e-account number found on your bill.

Agent source review: October 16, 2026 · Snapshot cdc79af0d9f48b53

Update business information or close a city license (opens in a new tab)

Use the city change instructions. Some changes need a new application; closing or withdrawing requires the Out of Business Notification Form. Closing does not erase unpaid taxes or fees.

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Long Beach government · Long Beach — business licensing close (opens in a new tab)

Reviewed business licensing instructions

Licensees are required to notify Business License of any changes to their business that affects their license.

Agent source review: October 16, 2026 · Snapshot 6389c71927a6116a

Review city business-license tax categories and current rates (opens in a new tab)

The linked rate table applies July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027. Base, employee, state, district and permit charges are separate; these items do not calculate a total bill.

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Long Beach government · Long Beach — business licensing rates (opens in a new tab)

Reviewed business licensing instructions

The business license tax rate you will be charged depends on the classification of your business.

Agent source review: October 16, 2026 · Snapshot cd0de797a941c9a4

Check tax-exemption applications and documentation (opens in a new tab)

Tax exemption and obtaining the license are separate. Read the official eligibility and documentation, and confirm the business activity with the division.

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Long Beach government · Long Beach — business licensing exemptions (opens in a new tab)

Reviewed business licensing instructions

Businesses that are exempt from the business license tax are not exempt from applying for and obtaining a business license.

Agent source review: October 16, 2026 · Snapshot 778fc48e45bbd9c4

Choose the right entity filing (opens in a new tab)

Review entity-specific registration, signature and termination instructions. Sole proprietors, FBNs and local permits use separate routes.

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California Secretary of State · California Secretary of State — FAQs (opens in a new tab)

Main content — Form/register, license or terminate a business entity.

Form/register, license or terminate a business entity.

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Search records or order a certificate of status (opens in a new tab)

Find business records, certified copies and status certificates; some entity types and No Record requests require paper.

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California Secretary of State · California Secretary of State — Launch service: Get copies of business entity documents (opens in a new tab)

Main content — Certificates, Copies, Status Reports and Processing Times

Certificates, Copies, Status Reports and Processing Times

Agent source review: October 16, 2026 · Snapshot c1684ee2eb5e5eee

Compare drop-off and expedited service (opens in a new tab)

Compare Sacramento handling and expedite charges, cutoffs and preclearance requirements. A timed response can still be a rejection.

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California Secretary of State · California Secretary of State — Service Options (opens in a new tab)

Main content — Drop-Off Service (Special Handling Service)

Drop-Off Service (Special Handling Service)

Agent source review: October 16, 2026 · Snapshot 369de00f6b8cae5f

Find the board for your profession (opens in a new tab)

Choose the actual board or bureau, then confirm its license type, application, materials, fees and eligibility.

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California Department of Consumer Affairs · California Department of Consumer Affairs — contact them directly through our directory (opens in a new tab)

Main content — Links to DCA Boards and Bureaus

Links to DCA Boards and Bureaus

Agent source review: October 16, 2026 · Snapshot ad99e539ab83c959

Find application, renewal and account help (opens in a new tab)

Some participating boards allow certain license applications and renewals through BreEZe. Use the correct board’s current instructions.

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California Department of Consumer Affairs · California Department of Consumer Affairs — About BreEZe page (opens in a new tab)

Main content — What online services does BreEZe allow?

What online services does BreEZe allow?

Agent source review: October 16, 2026 · Snapshot e6c78f65dd090550

Official state service profiles

These 45 profiles are classified under this topic by CA.gov. The county filter above does not establish local eligibility for them. Confirm availability and requirements on the official profile.