FAQs • Contra Costa County, CA • CivicEngage

How much will the Business License cost?: The annual cost to do business in the unincorporated area of the County is $100 plus $10 per employee. New businesses shall have fees pro-rated from the beginning of the quarter in which the business is established.
Your license is current for the license year in which you obtain it and must be renewed each July 1 as long as you are in business. A 25% penalty charge and 18% per annum interest rate are imposed if license tax is not paid on time.

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Business License Tax

1. Who is required to have a license?: A person who conducts business in or is based from the unincorporated area of the County of Contra Costa must obtain a business license.

2. How much will the Business License cost?: The annual cost to do business in the unincorporated area of the County is $100 plus $10 per employee. New businesses shall have fees pro-rated from the beginning of the quarter in which the business is established.
Your license is current for the license year in which you obtain it and must be renewed each July 1 as long as you are in business. A 25% penalty charge and 18% per annum interest rate are imposed if license tax is not paid on time.

3. What is required to obtain a Business License?

The Business License is evidence only that your tax has been paid. Other permits may be required to open your business.

Every business must at least meet zoning and building requirements to ensure that its business category and site are compatible before signing any leases and moving in. Check with the County Zoning/Planning Department to make sure you locate your business at an address where it is allowed and that it does not heavily impact the neighborhood or require special parking consideration.

Also, if your business name is anything other than your surname or has more than one owner -- a partnership, association, or company -- you may need to file a fictitious business name with the County Clerk's Office, (925) 335-7900. Should you accidentally "infringe" upon another business, you may face legal action and will have to pay to re-file your Business License -- and that gets expensive. So, it is a good idea to do this before you apply for the Business License.

A copy of the fictitious name certification is required with your business license application.

4. What businesses are exempt from having a business license?: County’s Business License Ordinance may grant an exemption to a business based on its type (i.e., agriculture or non-profit). An application for exemption statement must be filed annually with the Tax Collector. Depending on the type of exemption you are applying for you must submit with your statement a proof of exempt status such as State or Federal certification or other documents if any. If you are mailing your application or stopping at our office, you must include a copy of your proof. Failure to submit proof may cause us to deny or delay processing of your application.

5. Do State Licensed contractors need a Business License too?: Any person licensed as a contractor by the State Contractor's Board must obtain a Business License if 1) conducting business in the unincorporated areas of the County, whether based in or outside of this area, or 2) if based in the unincorporated area of the County, whether conducting business in or outside this area.
A copy of your current State Contractor’s License is required with your business license application.

6. How do I apply?: Applications may be filed in person at the Treasurer - Tax Collector's office or by mail at: Treasurer-Tax Collector's Office Business License Tax Division 625 Court Street, Room 100 Martinez, CA 94553-0063, or online at Business License Application.

7. What must be filed with the application?: References, photographs, fingerprints, documents, proof of insurance and/or special forms may be required in addition to the Business License application, depending on the nature of the business activity to be conducted.

8. What if I don't get a Business License?: Conducting business in the unincorporated area of the County of Contra Costa without a license can result in penalties, notice of violations, and finally, court action.

9. What if I have more than one place of business in the unincorporated area of the County?: If you own more than one place of business, you need a separate license for every branch establishment or separate place of business. The flat fee portion of the business license tax is assessed on one location. The employee fee is assessed for employees at all locations within the unincorporated area.

10. What if my business is transient or temporary?: If your business is transient or temporary, you must still acquire a business license, which is $100 per day. All daily licenses are due in advance by at least the day prior to start of business. Even if you conduct business on a part-time, limited, or hobby-related basis, you are required to obtain a current business license.

11. How long is this license good for?: Your license is current for the license year in which you obtain it and must be renewed each July 1 as long as you are in business.

12. Will the County notify me when to renew my license?: Yes. However, it is your responsibility to obtain a renewal license whether or not a renewal notice is received. Penalties are assessed for delinquent accounts, regardless of whether you receive a renewal notice or not. If you do NOT receive a notice by July 1, contact our office at (925) 608-9500, immediately.

13. How do I close my Business License?

In order to close your business license account, just return your copy of the Business License, with a letter stating that you wish to close your account, to our office using the following address:

Treasurer-Tax Collector's Office
Attn: Business Tax Division
P.O. Box 631
Martinez, CA 94553