City business license guide
Last updated: April 28, 2026
Starting a business in Long Beach usually means more than picking a name. You may need a City of Long Beach Business License, a business license tax account, zoning review, state tax registration, and extra permits if you sell food, sell alcohol, work from home, vend on sidewalks, remodel a space, or do regulated work.
Bottom line
Long Beach calls its local requirement a Business License, and the city also charges a business license tax. The city says that if you are doing business in Long Beach, you are required to get a business license and pay the business license tax. The Business License Division in the Department of Financial Management handles the city license program.
The city license is not the same thing as forming an LLC, filing a fictitious business name, getting a California seller’s permit, or getting a health, building, fire, alcohol, contractor, or professional license. Many Long Beach businesses need more than one step.
Quick start for Long Beach businesses
- Write down your business activity in simple words: what you sell, where you work, and whether customers visit you.
- Check whether you are inside Long Beach city limits. A Long Beach mailing address is not always enough.
- Check zoning before you sign a lease, buy equipment, or advertise a location.
- Apply through the city’s Apply for a Business License page or follow the city instructions for in-person, mail, or email filing.
- Gather state and trade permits before or during the city review. The city may ask for them before it issues the license.
- Do not start operating until the city license and any required permits are approved.
Long Beach business license facts box
| City | Long Beach, California |
|---|---|
| Local requirement name | Business License and business license tax |
| Main city office | City of Long Beach Department of Financial Management, Business License Division |
| Who often needs it | Businesses operating in Long Beach, including home-based businesses and out-of-city businesses doing work in the city |
| Renewal | The city application states that a business license is generally valid for one year from the date of issuance unless otherwise noted |
| Important warning | The city application says the application itself is not a license and tells applicants not to operate until a valid license has been issued |
What does this mean for me?
If you are opening a shop, office, home business, mobile service, food booth, online business run from a Long Beach home, rental business, or service business, start with the city license question. Then ask what else applies because of your address, product, employees, or industry. For background, see our guide to city, county, and state requirements.
City, county, state, and federal layers
| Layer | What to check | Why it matters in Long Beach |
|---|---|---|
| City | Long Beach Business License, business license tax, zoning, building, fire, health, sidewalk vending, special event, entertainment, and other city permits | The city license is the local operating license. Some businesses need review by other city departments before the license is issued. |
| County | Los Angeles County fictitious business name and county business license rules for unincorporated areas | Long Beach is an incorporated city, but county name filing may still apply if you use a fictitious business name. |
| State | California entity filings, seller’s permit, employer payroll account, contractor or professional licenses, alcohol licensing, and state permit lookups | California agencies handle many tax, employer, industry, and entity steps that are separate from the city license. |
| Federal | EIN, federal taxes, and federal permits for regulated activities | Most small businesses do not have a general federal business license, but some need an EIN or federal agency permit. |
The Long Beach Business License
The city says all businesses operating within Long Beach need a business license, including out-of-city and home-based businesses. The city’s General Business License page also says other city departments may need to review and approve the application before issuance.
The city’s business license application instructions ask for the application reason, structure, owner, business name, activity, address, start date, employee count, federal tax ID, seller’s permit number if applicable, and state license information if required.
Use the business activity name carefully. Retail, consulting, mobile food, massage, online sales, contracting, and event vending can trigger different review paths.
Do not treat the application as approval. The city business license application states that it is not a business license and says not to operate until a valid license has been issued.
For a broader California overview, use our California business license guide together with the Long Beach city steps on this page.
Costs you can plan for
Long Beach license costs depend on your classification, employee count, location, and added permits. The city says first-year taxes and fees are charged before the license is received. Use the city’s Taxes & Fees page and current business license rates table before budgeting.
| Cost item | What the official source shows | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Business license base tax | The rate table effective July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026 lists base taxes by business type. | Find your exact classification before paying. Do not copy a fee from another business. |
| Employee fee | The rate table lists employee fees for many classifications. | Use the city’s employee definition. |
| State-mandated ADA fee | The city rate table says all business license applications are subject to a $4 California state-mandated ADA fee. | Expect it unless the city tells you otherwise. |
| Department review fees | The city says Planning, Building, Fire, Health, and Business Improvement District fees may apply depending on the business. | Ask the city which added fees apply to your address and use. |
| Renewal and penalties | The city says renewal bills are sent annually and late payments can trigger penalties. | Track your own renewal date. Do not rely only on mail. |
The city payment and renewal page says failure to receive a renewal bill does not remove the owner’s duty to renew. It also says business licenses are not transferable and that a new application is required for some changes, such as business name, business address, or ownership type.
Zoning, home businesses, building, fire, and health checks
Before you sign a lease, buy equipment, or announce an opening date, check whether your use is allowed at the address. Long Beach Planning handles zoning review for business licenses, permit reviews, plan checks, land use decisions, and development standards. Start with the city’s Zoning & Project Planning page.
Home-based businesses
Long Beach home businesses may need to follow home occupation rules. The city’s home occupation rules say a permit is meant for home enterprises that are incidental to the dwelling and do not change the main residential character. The rules also limit visitors, deliveries, vehicles, and some uses.
If you are unsure whether a home business is allowed, read our home occupation permit guide and then confirm with Long Beach Planning or Business License staff.
Tenant improvements and building permits
If you remodel, add equipment, change electrical, plumbing, mechanical systems, signs, seating, exits, or occupancy, the city may require permits and inspections. The Long Beach Permit Center includes building, business license, fire, health, planning, and other counters. The city’s Building Permits page says most construction, alteration, replacement, and repair work needs proper permits and inspections.
Food, mobile vending, entertainment, and regulated city permits
Food businesses should check the Long Beach Health and Human Services Food Safety Program. The city program permits and inspects food facilities, reviews plans, handles mobile food facilities, and covers cottage food and microenterprise home kitchen operation topics.
Sidewalk vendors have a special city process. Long Beach says all sidewalk vendors must obtain a business license, and food vendors also need a health permit. Check the city’s Sidewalk Vending page and the Sidewalk Vending Application page before buying a cart or setting up on a sidewalk.
If you sell or display items at a city special event, check the Special Event Vendor page. If your business has regular entertainment, such as amplified music, dancing, karaoke, or a DJ, check the city’s Entertainment Permit page before offering entertainment.
Los Angeles County requirements to check
County rules are separate from the Long Beach license. The most common county step is a fictitious business name, often called an FBN or DBA. Los Angeles County says persons doing business for profit under a fictitious name may file a statement in the county of the principal place of business. Start with the county’s Fictitious Business Name page or the LA County Business Filing and Registration System.
A fictitious business name is not a city business license. It does not prove that your address is allowed, that your sales tax account is open, or that you have health, building, fire, alcohol, or professional approval. For the difference between these items, see our guide to business license vs LLC vs DBA vs seller’s permit.
Los Angeles County also has county business license rules for certain business activities in unincorporated areas and a few contract cities. The county Treasurer and Tax Collector says it does not process business license applications outside those jurisdictions. A business inside Long Beach should generally start with Long Beach, but use the county business license requirements page if you also operate in an unincorporated county area.
California state registrations and permits
California state steps depend on your structure and work. If you form a corporation, LLC, limited partnership, or certain other entities, the California Secretary of State handles business entity filings through its Business Entities program. A sole proprietor may not need an entity filing with the Secretary of State, but may still need a Long Beach business license and county FBN filing if using a fictitious name.
If you sell or lease tangible personal property that is normally subject to sales tax in California, the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration says you must obtain a seller’s permit. This can apply to online sellers, store owners, market vendors, and some temporary sellers. A seller’s permit is not a Long Beach business license.
If you hire employees in California, the Employment Development Department says you must register as an employer and set up an EDD payroll tax account within 15 days of paying more than $100 in wages in a calendar quarter. Use the EDD payroll tax account registration page.
Some industries need special state licensing. Contractors should check the Contractors State License Board. Alcohol sellers should check California ABC’s new license page. California’s CalGold permit tool can point you to permit offices by location and business type.
Federal steps
Most small businesses do not have one general federal business license. Federal steps usually depend on taxes, workers, and regulated activities. The IRS says you can get an EIN directly from the IRS for free using the official EIN tool. You generally need an EIN if you hire employees, operate a partnership or corporation, pay some excise taxes, or change structure.
Some business activities are regulated by federal agencies. The U.S. Small Business Administration’s licenses and permits page points business owners to federal agencies for activities such as alcohol, agriculture, aviation, firearms, fish and wildlife, mining, nuclear energy, radio or TV broadcasting, and transportation.
Real-world examples
| Business idea | Likely checks | What to ask first |
|---|---|---|
| Home-based graphic designer | Long Beach Business License, home occupation rules, county FBN if using a trade name, EIN if needed for taxes or banking | Is my home office use allowed at my address, and does my business activity fit the home occupation rules? |
| Retail shop on 2nd Street | City business license, zoning approval, seller’s permit, building permits if remodeling, sign permits if adding signage, possible BID fees | Is this retail use allowed at this address, and what city departments must review my license? |
| Food truck or cart | City business license, health permit, mobile food rules, seller’s permit, vehicle or location rules, possible sidewalk vending rules | Which food permit path applies to my truck, cart, or sidewalk setup? |
| Bar with DJ nights | City business license, zoning, fire review, ABC license, Long Beach entertainment permit, health permits if food is served | Can this address have alcohol and entertainment, and what approvals are needed before advertising events? |
For mobile food operations, also see our food truck license guide, then confirm the Long Beach-specific health and vending rules.
A compact compliance checklist
- Confirm the business address is inside Long Beach city limits.
- Write a clear description of each business activity.
- Check zoning before signing a lease or opening at home.
- Apply for the Long Beach Business License before operating.
- Provide state licenses, permits, and seller’s permit information if the city asks for them.
- File a Los Angeles County fictitious business name if your name requires one.
- Register with CDTFA if you sell taxable goods or taxable leases.
- Register with EDD if you have California employees and meet the wage rule.
- Check health, building, fire, alcohol, contractor, entertainment, and sidewalk vending rules if your activity triggers them.
- Save your license, renewal bill, permit approvals, and agency emails in one folder.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Opening before approval. A submitted application is not a Long Beach license.
- Calling an LLC a license. Entity formation does not replace the city business license.
- Skipping zoning. A lease does not mean the business use is allowed.
- Using the wrong address. Your seller’s permit, FBN, entity record, and city license should be consistent when the agency requires matching records.
- Ignoring a second activity. Adding entertainment, food service, delivery, retail sales, or a new location can trigger new review.
- Forgetting renewal. Long Beach says not receiving a bill does not remove the duty to renew.
Phone and email scripts
Before calling or emailing, have your business name, address, start date, activity, and setup ready.
City business license script
Hello, I plan to operate a [business type] at [address or general area] in Long Beach. I want to confirm which Long Beach Business License category applies, whether I can apply online, and whether Planning, Building, Fire, Health, or another city review is needed before I operate.
Planning and zoning script
Hello, I am checking a possible location for a [business type]. The address is [address]. Can you tell me whether this use is allowed there, whether any entitlement or special review is needed, and whether I should check building, fire, parking, sign, or health rules before I sign a lease?
County fictitious business name script
Hello, my business will be based in Long Beach and I plan to use the name [business name]. Can you confirm whether I should file a Los Angeles County fictitious business name statement and what publication or renewal step applies after filing?
Food or sidewalk vending script
Hello, I plan to sell [food or merchandise] from [cart, booth, truck, sidewalk setup, or event booth] in Long Beach. Can you confirm which city business license, sidewalk vendor permit, health permit, seller’s permit, insurance, and location rules apply before I start?
Do not ask an agency to approve a vague idea. Give them the business activity, address, and setup. Better details usually lead to better answers.
What to do if this doesn’t work
If you cannot tell which permit applies, do not guess. Email the Long Beach Business License Division and ask which city office should review your activity. If the issue is land use, ask Planning. If it is construction, ask the Permit Center or Building. If it is food, ask the Bureau of Environmental Health. If one office sends you to another, keep the email chain and ask for the official page, form, permit name, or code section.
Official resources
- City of Long Beach: Business License Division, application page, general license page, application instructions, taxes and fees, rate table, renewals, and update or close license pages.
- City of Long Beach: Planning, Permit Center, Building Permits, Food Safety Program, Sidewalk Vending, Special Event Vendor, and Entertainment Permit pages.
- Los Angeles County: Fictitious Business Name filing and business filing system.
- California: Secretary of State Business Entities, CDTFA seller’s permit, EDD employer registration, CalGold, CSLB, and ABC licensing resources.
- Federal: IRS EIN and SBA federal license and permit information.
About this BusinessLicenseGuide.com page
BusinessLicenseGuide.com is not a government agency, law firm, CPA firm, or filing company. Our goal is to turn official licensing information into plain English so small-business owners know what to check, which office handles it, and what mistakes to avoid. We use official sources first and tell readers to confirm important details with the agency that controls the rule.
FAQ
Does Long Beach require a business license?
Yes. Long Beach says businesses doing business in the city must get a Business License and pay the business license tax. This can include home-based businesses and out-of-city businesses that operate in Long Beach.
Is a Long Beach Business License the same as an LLC?
No. An LLC is a business entity filing with the state. A Long Beach Business License is a city operating license and tax requirement. A business may need both, depending on its structure and activity.
Do home-based businesses need to check Long Beach rules?
Yes. Long Beach says home-based businesses are included in the business license requirement. A home business may also need to follow home occupation rules and zoning limits.
Do I need a California seller’s permit in Long Beach?
You may need one if you sell or lease tangible personal property in California that is normally subject to sales tax. The seller’s permit comes from CDTFA, not the City of Long Beach.
What should I check before signing a Long Beach lease?
Check whether your business use is allowed at the address, whether building or fire work is needed, whether health review applies, and whether the city business license can be issued for that location.
Disclaimer
This article is informational only. It is not legal, tax, financial, insurance, employment, safety, zoning, licensing, or professional advice. Rules, fees, forms, links, policies, and agency practices can change. Confirm important details with the official agency or a qualified professional. BusinessLicenseGuide.com does not guarantee approval, eligibility, compliance, savings, income, speed, or results.
Update notes
Last updated: April 28, 2026
Next review: August 28, 2026
This update checked Long Beach city licensing, rates, renewals, zoning, home occupation, Permit Center, food, sidewalk vending, special event vendor, county FBN, California seller permit and employer registration, and federal EIN and permit resources.