WHO IS REQUIRED TO HAVE A BUSINESS LICENSE?
City law states that no person shall engage in business or transact and carry on a business, trade, profession, calling or occupation in the city without first having procured a license from the city to do so or without complying with any and all applicable provisions of the City of Santa Ana Municipal Code relating to business licensing. A separate license is required for each separate type of business conducted at the same location and for each separate branch or business property location. Frequently Asked Questions for:

WHAT IS A CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY AND WHO IS REQUIRED TO HAVE ONE?
Every business, including temporary or itinerant businesses, operating from commercial premises within the City is required to obtain a Certificate of Occupancy for their commercial location and comply with any and all applicable provisions of the City of Santa Ana Municipal Code relating to Zoning and Building & Fire Safety. For information on Certificate of Occupancy requirements please contact the Planning Agency at (714) 647-5804. - Planning & Building Agency

WHAT IS A HOME OCCUPATION PERMIT AND WHO IS REQUIRED TO HAVE ONE?
Every business operating from residential premises within the City is required to obtain a Home Occupation Permit and comply with any and all applicable provisions of the City of Santa Ana Municipal Code relating to home-based businesses. Home businesses must apply for and receive an approved Home Occupation Permit before they apply and pay for their Business License. The Planning Agency approves these permits. For information on obtaining a Home Occupation Permit please contact the Planning & Building Agency at (714) 647-5804.

HOW DO I APPLY FOR A CITY OF SANTA ANA BUSINESS LICENSE?
Owners, partners, corporate officers or the authorized representatives of corporate officers may apply for a business license by coming in person to City Hall and obtaining and completing the appropriate application, or they may contact the business tax office by telephone to have the applications mailed. Filing of original business license applications is required. As such, the business tax office cannot accept applications by fax.

WHAT ARE THE PENALTIES FOR FAILURE TO OBTAIN A BUSINESS LICENSE PRIOR TO COMMENCING BUSINESS?
Any business which operates a business without first obtaining a Business License may be liable for a penalty of 50% of the current year’s license fee, plus any prior year’s unpaid license fee for the preceding 36 months.

IS MY CITY OF SANTA ANA BUSINESS LICENSE TRANSFERABLE?
A business license is not transferable. It is the responsibility of the owner or operator to advise the Business Tax Office of ownership changes, relocation or termination of business.

HOW DO I CONTACT THE BUSINESS TAX OFFICE?
The City of Santa Ana Business Tax Office is located at 20 Civic Center Plaza, First Floor City Hall Ross Annex. Parking is available in the Civic Center Plaza, off Santa Ana Blvd. between Ross Street and Flower Street. Parking fee is $1.00 per each half-hour. Office hours are 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday Telephone number is 714-647-5447 Fax number is 714-647-5304.

HOW CAN I OBTAIN INFORMATION ON A BUSINESS LICENSED TO DO BUSINESS IN THE CITY OF SANTA ANA?
The Business Tax staff can verify if a business has an active business license as well as the business name, type of license, business start date, business telephone number and location over the telephone due to legal restrictions additional information may not be provided. Requests for additional information must be made in writing. The City of Santa Ana charges a fee of $11.06 per uncertified written verification. A certified copy may be requested for $17.29. Written requests must specify the intended purpose for the inquiry of the information (i.e., small claims court filing, loan application verification, etc.). Mail written requests to: City of Santa Ana Business Tax Office (M 15), P.O. Box 1964, Santa Ana, CA 92702. Enclose a check or money order payable to the City of Santa Ana.

You may also research a business’ report with the Better Business Bureau at their website at www.bbb.org. To learn about consumer rights, visit the Department of Consumer Affairs’ website at www.dca.ca.gov

HOW DO I START A BUSINESS?   - Before You Apply
The details of your business operation will determine the type of Federal, State, County and City licenses, permits, certificates and approvals you will require prior to commencing business. Information on these various requirements are provided below with appropriate internet links.

www.taxes.ca.gov and www.calepa.ca.gov/pacs

For additional information about City of Santa Ana business licensing requirements, contact the Business Tax Office at (714) 647-5447. To inquire about City of Santa Ana zoning requirements for the type of business and its planned location, contact the Planning & Building Agency at (714) 647-5804.

Business license application forms are available at:

City of Santa Ana Business Tax Office
20 Civic Center Plaza – Ross Annex 1st Floor
Santa Ana, CA 92701

(Please call the business tax staff at (714) 647-5447 to discuss your businesses’ requirements – application forms can be mailed upon request)

Fictitious Name or Doing Business As (DBA)
Fictitious Names and DBAs are one in the same. If you propose to use a fictitious business name, contact the County Clerk’s Office and your local newspaper to schedule a publication of notice. Fictitious name statements are filed with the Orange County Clerk’s Office, located at 560 N. Broadway Street, (Building 12 in the Santa Ana Civic Center) Santa Ana, California 92701. To contact the County Clerk’s Office, call (714) 834-2889 or visit their web page at: www.oc.ca.gov. For more information on California Fictitious Name filing requirements, please see the California Business and Professions Code (Sections 17900-17930) at http://www.leginfo.ca.gov

If your business is organized as a corporation or partnership, or if you engage or plan to engage employees, you will need a Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN) for the purpose of withholding FICA taxes and Social Security taxes. To obtain an FEIN, contact the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) at (800) 829-1040 or download an application for an Employer Identification Number at www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/fss4.pdf. The nearest IRS office to Santa Ana City Hall is located across the street from the Orange County Superior Courthouse and the address is 801 W. Civic Center Dr., Santa Ana CA 92701.

In addition, a Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms (ATF) permit and a California Department of Justice (DOJ) permit are required http://www.atf.treas.gov/pub/fire-explo_pub/qa.pdf, http://www.caag.state.ca.us/firearms/dlrfaqs.htm.

Advertising, Handbill Distributor, Solicitors Advertising pamphlets may be distributed in this city after a license has been obtained. Under no circumstance may advertising materials be placed in or on a parked vehicle; or, a mailbox, mail slot or receptacle unless postage is paid and delivery is made by the U.S. Postal Service.

Sign Regulations

The City of Santa Ana has a sign ordinance. If you plan to install a new sign or make changes in a sign that has been installed previously, please contact the Planning/Zoning Department.

Display of Business License
All business licenses must be displayed on the premises. For those not having a fixed business address, the license (or decal card) must be physically carried on the person and presented upon request.

Business License Transfers

A business license is not transferable. It is the responsibility of the owner or operator to advise the Business Tax Office of ownership changes, relocation or termination of business.

Renewal of Business Licenses

Once you have obtained a business license, a renewal will automatically be forwarded to the mailing address of record approximately thirty (30) days before your expiration date. If you do not receive a renewal notice before the expiration date of the business license, please contact the Business Tax Office.

Failure to receive a renewal notice does not relieve the business owner of his/her responsibility in renewing the business license nor is it grounds for waiving any late penalties or interest due.

Renewal Filing Extensions

You may make a written request for a thirty (30) day extension to file and pay for any annual business license renewal. Requests must be in writing and must be signed and dated. They must be received on or before the stated due date or must carry a post-mark date of not later than the stated due date. (See Writing Us About Your Business License Account below ).

Change of Business Address in the City

To process a change of business address, advise the Business Tax Office and request an amendment form to file an address correction or business address change.

Cancellation of Business License

To cancel an existing business license, advise the Business Tax Office in writing that you have ceased or will cease business or have or will sell your business or income property. Be sure to provide your businesses license account number and the date business has or will cease; you must sign your written notification. You may make your cancellation notification by simply completing the Cancellation of Business License statement found on the back of your official Business License or on the back of your Renewal Notification or your Notice of Business License Tax Due.

Refund of Business License Fees
Business License fees are nonrefundable except when overpaid or paid in error. A processing fee is charged to cover administrative costs.

Law Enforcement Review

Business license applications received for the following categories will be referred to the Police Department for regulatory review and approval if required:

Pawn Shop
Weapons-related businesses
Bingo Permits
Adult Book Stores
Palm Readers
Dating or Escort Services
Taxi Drivers
Fortunetellers
Pool/Billiard Rooms
Alcoholic Beverage Locations
Tow Trucks-Private Property
Tattoo Parlors
Arcades
Modeling Services
Check Cashing
Adult Theaters
Acupressure/Acupuncture
Dancing Places/Dancing Halls
Impounds
Massage Parlors/Technicians.

Write to us about your Business License Account if you wish to write to us regarding your business license account, please be sure and supply your name, address and the business license number.