Los Angeles may be known as the entertainment capital of the world, but it’s also a thriving destination for entrepreneurship. And if you’re planning on opening or running a small business in Los Angeles County, chances are you’ll need to get a business license.
But where you’re located within Los Angeles County can make a big difference in the type of business license you apply for. Businesses located in the city of Los Angeles will need to get a Business Tax Registration Certificate (BTRC), while other businesses outside of the city limits need a Los Angeles County business license for certain regulated activities.
So whether you’re located in the heart of Hollywood Hills or setting up shop in Santa Clarita, our 2026 guide will show you how you can get a business license in Los Angeles County.
What is a Los Angeles Business License?
A City of LA business license is formally called a Business Tax Registration Certificate (BTRC). This certificate allows you to conduct business legally and ensures the city collects the appropriate taxes. A BTRC is registered with LA’s Office of Finance, and anyone who is operating a business within the City is legally required to have one.
When referring to the County, a Los Angeles Business license acts as a regulatory permit versus a commercial tax. Businesses that engage in activities that could affect public health, safety, and welfare within specific areas of LA County should have a business license (think businesses like hotels, restaurants, health spas, etc.).
Now that we’ve defined the difference between the two, let’s take a closer look at who’s required to get one, and when.
Who Needs a Business License in Los Angeles?
City of Los Angeles requirements
If your business is located within Los Angeles city limits, you need to register for a BTRC. This requirement applies to businesses with physical storefronts and offices, as well as anyone who is self-employed and working within the city of LA.
You’re also required to get a BTRC if you work inside city limits for seven or more days per calendar year. So for example, if you live and work as a contractor in Long Beach but a job takes you to the city of Los Angeles for two weeks, you’ll likely need to register for a BTRC with the city’s Office of Finance.
LA County requirements
Businesses in LA County only need to apply for a business license if they’re located in an unincorporated area or in one of the three following cities:
1. Malibu
2. Santa Clarita
3. Westlake Village
Even then, only specific businesses need to register if they’re on the county’s regulated list. While this list contains close to 110 activities that can impact public health and safety, some of the biggest examples include:
- Restaurants
- Health and wellness spas
- Massage therapists
- Hotels
- Tattoo parlors
- Beauty parlors
- Hair salons
Business types that must register
If your business is located in the City of LA or you work more than seven days or more each year, you’re typically required to register your business, even if you operate as a solopreneur, freelancer, or gig worker based out of your home or apartment. Landlords who rent four or more residential units are also required to register for a BTRC.
LA County, however, has specific requirements on which types of businesses need to register for a business license. You can find the full list here. Of these business types, only businesses located in an unincorporated area of the county or in Santa Clarita, Malibu, or Westlake Village are required to get licensed. You can check to see if you live in an unincorporated area here.
How to get a Business License in Los Angeles
Online registration process (step-by-step)
The fastest way to get your business license in the city of Los Angeles is directly through the Office of Finance’s online portal. Once you’re in their portal, you’ll usually need to provide the following:
- Your Social Security number or your Federal Employment Identification Number (EIN)
- A clear description of your business activities
- Your business’s legal name or DBA
- Your business’s start date in the city of Los Angeles
- Your business address and primary mailing address, if different from your business location
- Your business contact information
- Any additional information, like your sales tax number, business/professional activity code, and/or prior year business gross receipts
Depending on your business, Los Angeles may also require you to register for Police, Fire, and/or Tobacco permits.
Once you apply through the online portal, you maybe asked to confirm your answers to the follow-up eligibility questionnaire. From there, you’ll receive an application confirmation email with your temporary tax registration certificate. You’ll typically receive your permanent certificate within four weeks from completing your online registration.
You can start your online application for your city of LA business license here.
In-person registration process (step-by-step)
You can also register at an Office of Finance location. Bring the same information listed above. If you prefer paper, you can download the Business Tax Registration application from the Office of Finance forms library, complete it, and submit it by mail or in person.
Office of Finance locations can be found at:
City Hall
200 North Spring Street, Room 101
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Or
Van Nuys
6262 Van Nuys Blvd. Suite 110
Van Nuys, CA 91401
You can schedule an in-person appointment at City Hall here or in Van Nuys here. You can reach their customer service line for both locations at (844) 663-4411.
Los Angeles County business license process: Online and in-person
If you’re required to get a business license for LA county, you can apply via their new online portal here or in-person at one of their three locations, including:
Los Angeles Office
225 North Hill Street, Room 122
Los Angeles, CA 90012
P: (213) 974-2011
Lancaster Office
335A East Avenue K-6
Lancaster, CA 93535
P: (661) 723-4492
Valencia Office
23757 Valencia Blvd.
Valencia, CA 91355
P: (661) 253-7342
You’ll likely need the same documents and information to get your business license in Los Angeles county as what’s listed for the city of LA, plus additional information based on the type of business you’re registering.
Processing timelines
Online City applicants usually get a temporary certificate immediately, which lets you operate while you wait. The permanent BTRC arrives by mail, generally within four weeks.
County timelines vary, because some licenses are granted on payment while others may need sign-off from agencies such as the Fire Department or Sheriff’s Department.
How Much Does a Los Angeles Business License Typically Cost?
Fee structure breakdown
There is typically no fee to register for a City BTRC; however, depending on the nature of your work, you may be required to pay registration fees, which are due upon completion of the application and determined by your business type.
What you may owe is the city business tax, calculated on your gross receipts at a rate set by your business classification. Rates are expressed per $1,000 of gross receipts and differ by activity, and some classifications carry a minimum tax. Contractors, for example, pay a minimum of $153 per year. The old notion of a flat $50 to $150 license fee does not reflect how the city actually bills.
Los Angeles county fees work differently for their business licenses. The county sets fixed fees by business type to recover the cost of running the program, and every application carries a non-refundable fee. The amount is not tied to your revenue, and some activities might require more than one license.
Small business exemption
If your worldwide gross receipts were $100,000 or less for the year, you might be able to claim the City’s Small Business Exemption. Two conditions typically apply: you must be registered, and you must file your renewal on time. Miss the deadline and you might lose the exemption for that year. The $100,000 threshold has held since 2006. In early 2026 the City Council asked staff to study raising it, so confirm the current figure and requirements before you file. It’s best to check with a tax professional or an accountant related to your specific business.
Annual renewal costs
The BTRC renews every year. The city sends a notice in December, and business tax renewal filing is due on January 1st of the following year; payment is considered delinquent if not received by the first business day of March. The amount of business tax due is typically based on your gross receipts for the year.
Los Angeles county business licenses renew annually as well, with online renewal available once you hold a license.
Additional Permits and Requirements
A business license is often not the only approval your business needs. Depending on what you do, the City application may route you to:
- Police Alarm Permit, for businesses that operate a security alarm system.
- Police Non-Alarm Permit, for activities the Police Commission regulates, such as certain secondhand or entertainment businesses.
- Fire Permit, for operations that store or handle materials the Fire Department oversees.
- Tobacco Retailer Permit, for any business selling tobacco products or paraphernalia.
Industry-specific licensing sits on top of this. Contractors need a state license from the Contractors State License Board, food businesses need county health permits, and licensed professionals such as cosmetologists and accountants need their state credentials. The online registration walks you through the city-level permits, but the state and industry pieces are yours to track.
What Happens If You Don’t Get a Los Angeles Business License?
Skipping or forgoing your business license registration altogether can get complicated and expensive. In the City of Los Angeles, operating without a BTRC can trigger back taxes, interest, and other penalties. The city can pursue what you owe for the current year plus the previous seven (!), as well as tack on interest on the balance owed. The City may also seek other legal remedies.
It’s worth noting that registering late (or not at all) means you can’t claim the Small Business Exemption for any of the years you’ve missed.
In LA County, running a regulated business without the required business license violates Title 7 of the County Code and is a misdemeanor. Continued non-compliance can lead to fines and possible legal action.
In both systems, catching up later costs far more than registering on time.
Protecting Your Licensed Business
One crucial step might remain: taking care of your business with business insurance. It can help financially protect your new venture from covered claims associated with accidents, property damage, mistakes, and injuries. These claims can be extremely costly — enough to financially damage your burgeoning business.
The type of business insurance you might need often depends on the type of business you own. Let’s look at a few that you might want to consider:
General Liability Insurance: A foundational liability insurance to help handle costs from third-party accidents, property damage, and bodily injury.
Workers’ Compensation Insurance: Coverage to help take care of employees who get sick or injured on the job. California law requires this for small businesses with one or more full- or part-time employees. It also can benefit business owners who don’t have employees.
Professional Liability Insurance: Coverage to help pay for damages and legal costs for alleged mistakes or negligence claims. This policy is often recommended for businesses that provide advice and guidance to their clients.
Understanding which option is best for you can be confusing. The good news is you don’t need to decide on your own. Spend a few minutes online with our handy quote tool, and we’ll begin looking for quotes from respected insurers.
Or if you’d rather speak to one of our licensed insurance agents, give Simply Business a call at 844-654-7272, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (ET). We’ll present available coverage quotes so when your business license application gets approved, you’ll be good to go with the right insurance options, and you can move forward with peace of mind.
Frequently Asked Questions
All businesses operating the City of LA need a Business Tax Registration Certificate (if within city limits). This applies to storefront, home-based, and freelance businesses. Only some businesses in Los Angeles County need a business license, and only if they are in an unincorporated area or located in Malibu, Santa Clarita, or Westlake Villages.
The City of LA issues Business Tax Registration Certificates for businesses within Los Angeles city limits, while LA County issues business licenses for unincorporated areas and specific cities. Your business location determines which you need.
You can apply for and receive a temporary certificate immediately through the online portal, allowing you to operate while your permanent certificate is processed (usually around four weeks). Be sure to confirm for your specific business, though.
Required information generally includes: SSN (sole proprietors) or Federal EIN, business name and start date, business type, address and contact details, business activity description, and potentially your sales tax number and gross receipts information.
Yes. Business Tax Registration Certificates must be renewed annually. The City of LA typically sends renewal notices, and you can renew online through the same portal used for initial registration.
Yes. All businesses operating in LA, including home-based businesses, freelancers, and consultants, must register for a Business Tax Registration Certificate regardless of location type.
Generally, yes. Each physical business location requires its own Business Tax Registration Certificate. Consult the LA Office of Finance for multi-location business guidance.
While not always required for the license itself, many businesses need insurance to operate legally, and some permits require proof of insurance. General liability insurance can help protect your business from covered third party claims.
Most LA businesses benefit from General Liability Insurance for third-party claims, Workers’ Compensation Insurance if you have employees (often legally required), and Professional Liability Insurance if you provide advice or services. Your specific needs depend on your industry and business activities.
Protect Your Los Angeles Business with the Right Licensing and Insurance
In general, most Los Angeles businesses need to register for a business license; the hard part is just matching your work to the right license based on your location and activity. Once you’ve sorted out the permits your business needs, close the gap a business license leaves open with the right business insurance.
Spend a few minutes with the Simply Business online quote tool and we’ll search quotes from respected insurers, so the moment your license clears, your coverage is ready to go, too.