Archives: FAQs

I am renting a Santa Ana residential property to family members is this still considered to be a business? Do I have to get a business license?

Renting to immediate family members related by blood, adoption or marriage is considered to be a business and a license is required. If you are renting only to immediate family members (mothers and fathers, grandmothers and grandfathers, sons and daughters, grandsons and granddaughters, brothers and sisters, and husbands and wives) and the amount you receive … Continued

What does Santa Ana consider a “residential real estate rental business”?

Municipal Code Section 21-3 defines the business of rental of residential real estate as including every person who engages in the business of leasing, renting, subleasing, subletting, providing, exchanging or trading without loss of ownership or leasehold any residential property within the City for purposes of general residency.

Do I need a Business License if I am a Landlord receiving rents from the rental, leasing, subleasing or subletting of commercial or residential property located in the City of Santa Ana?

Yes, if you are a landlord and rent, lease, sublease or sublet commercial or residential property within the City, you are required to secure the appropriate business license, and a separate business license must be obtained for each separate rental property.

How is the Santa Ana residential rental business license tax assessed?

The business license tax for the rental of residential real estate is assessed per property, based on the ownership of the property. A separate business license is required for each separate rental property location. The business license tax assessment is made on a per unit basis and reflects the maximum number of rentable units making … Continued

May I register to do business from a Post Office Box or Private Postal Mailbox (PBM) located within the City of Santa Ana?

U.S. Postal Service Post Office Box or a private postal mailbox (PMB) address may be used as the mailing address of record for receiving information regarding a Santa Ana business license; however, a Post Office Box or PMB address does not constitute a business location for business licensing purposes. A Post Office Box or PMB … Continued

My business entity (Corporation, LLC, Partnership, LP, etc.) is dormant/passive and it is just paying a minimum tax to the Secretary of State. Is it required to get a business license?

Yes, if your business is registered as “active” with the California Secretary of State and is reporting on a business return to the FTB and IRS from a Santa Ana location, it will need a business license. Maintaining a business entity within the City, whether it is transacting public business or not, is considered operating … Continued

Do I need a business license if I operate a commercially-based or home-based business specifically exempted by State or Federal Law?

No business license tax or other administrative fee is required for the operation of a commercially-based or home-based business specifically exempted by State or Federal Law. Supporting qualifying information establishing your business as specifically exempted must be furnished. A “Fee-Exempt” administrative business license shall be issued to qualifying exempted businesses.

Do I need a business license if I operate a commercially-based or home-based nonprofit business, organization, or institution?

Yes, if you operate a commercially-based or home-based nonprofit business, organization, or institution, you are required to secure a “Non-Profit” Business License. Information supporting qualification of your business as a “non-profit” must be furnished. No business license tax (other than an administrative application processing charge) shall be applied with respect to any bona fide nonprofit … Continued

I am a Transportation Network Company Driver (Uber, Lyft, Etc.) based out of the City of Santa Ana, but I do business throughout Southern California. Do I need to get a business license?

Yes, if you are a Transportation Network Company Driver based out of the City of Santa Ana receiving a 1099 Form, you must obtain a flat rate City Santa Ana Business License as an independent contractor. Note: once licensed in your home-based city you are not required to obtain a business license in the other … Continued

My business is located outside of the city limits, but I regularly operate vehicles within the city. Do I need to get a business license?

Yes, regularly operating delivery vehicles, catering trucks, produce trucks, junk collection vehicles, pushcarts or wagons within the city will require a Santa Ana business license. A separate City of Santa Ana Business License must be obtained for each separate type of vehicle operated within the city.