How to Get a Business License in Los Angeles — 2026 Guide
Quick Overview
Starting a business in Los Angeles, CA requires registrations across federal, state, county, and city agencies. The primary registration is the Business Tax Registration Certificate through the Office of Finance.
Difficulty: 8-9/10. No state business license required. Cities handle licensing independently.
PermitBoard generates a complete, ordered roadmap for your specific business type in Los Angeles — with fees, timelines, and direct links to every form. Get My Roadmap →
Should You Start a Business in Los Angeles?
✔ Pros:
- Large market (3.8M population)
- City licence fee: $50–$200
- 3-8 weeks estimated processing time
⚠ Cons:
- High complexity — multiple agency layers
- $800 minimum after first year
- Business Tax Registration Certificate (BTRC) required for ALL businesses
👉 Bottom line: Significant opportunity, but navigate carefully — complex permit environment.
What You'll Pay
Upfront Costs
| Permit | Fee | Agency |
|---|---|---|
| EIN (federal tax ID) | Free | IRS |
| LLC filing | $70 LLC | CA Secretary of State |
| Seller's permit | Free | CDTFA |
| Business Tax Registration Certificate | $50–$200 | Office of Finance |
| County health permit (food businesses) | $500–$1,000 (LA County) | Department of Public Health |
General business total: $50–$200. Restaurant total: $200–$1,500+.
Ongoing Costs
| Obligation | Amount | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| State franchise tax | $800 minimum after first year | Annual |
| Business Tax Registration Certificate renewal | $50–$200 | Annual (due January 1 (delinquent after last day of February)) |
| County health permit renewal | $500–$1,000 (LA County) | Annual |
The Permit Stack
Step 1: Federal: EIN from IRS (free, instant online)
Step 2: State: LLC/Corp filing + seller's permit/sales tax registration
Step 3: County: health department permit + fire inspection
Step 4: City: business licence/tax certificate
File your LLC online: bizfileportal.sos.ca.gov
Register for seller's permit: onlineservices.cdtfa.ca.gov
Apply for city licence: https://finance.lacity.gov
By Business Type
Restaurant: City business licence + county health permit + fire inspection. Alcohol requires separate state/local liquor licence.
Food Truck: Mobile food vendor permit (city) + county health permit. Some cities limit permits.
Home Based: Home occupation permit. Zoning approval required. Often cheapest category.
Retail: Standard business licence. Lower complexity than food businesses.
Contractor: State contractor licence often required in addition to city licence.
Catering: County health permit + city business licence. Commercial kitchen requirement.
Temporary Food Vendor: Temporary food permit from county health department.
What Most People Miss
- Business Tax Registration Certificate (BTRC) required for ALL businesses
- Tax is classification-driven — activity determines the rate
- Small Business Exemption if gross receipts under $100,000 and renewed on time
- First year taxes paid in second year as BACK TAX
- May need Police, Fire, and/or Tobacco permits depending on business
- LADBS handles building permits separately
- LA County DPH for food/health permits
- Complex zoning with specific plan areas that override base zoning
Key Contacts
Office of Finance
Phone: 213-473-5901
Email: btrcinfo@lacity.org
200 N Spring St, Room 101, Los Angeles, CA 90012
https://finance.lacity.gov
Department of Public Health (Los Angeles County)
Phone: (213) 974-2011
http://publichealth.lacounty.gov
Timeline
Estimated total: 3-8 weeks from EIN to fully licensed, assuming no zoning issues or inspection delays.
Don't Guess — Get Your Roadmap
Every business type has different requirements. PermitBoard analyzes your specific business type against Los Angeles's actual requirements and gives you a step-by-step plan with fees, timelines, and direct links to every form.
Get My Permit Roadmap for Los Angeles →
Nearby Cities
Starting a business nearby? See our guides:
- Inglewood · Long Beach · Santa Ana · Glendale