Business License Requirements & Application

Business License Online Application

Please click on the highlighted link below to apply online.

Business License Online Application

Rules & Requirements

1. A Business License Tax Certificate must be obtained prior to conducting business in the City (Code 5.04.030)
2. Any person operating a business from a private home or residence must obtain a Home Occupation Permit and Business License (Code 17.36.050)
3. Any property owner renting out Residential or Commercial property including single family homes must obtain a license (Code 5.16.050)
4. The use of any public sidewalk as a place of business for the sale of merchandise is prohibited (Code 5.88.020)
5. Any person soliciting in the City must obtain a Business License Tax Certificate for the company that is being represented, and a Solicitor's Permit for each solicitor (Code 5.04.010)
6. Any person who is running a Business/Rental Property without a current Business License/Rental License may be subject to penalties/fines which are contracted out to HdL. You will receive communication in the form a Non-Compliance Notice for either a Commercial Business or Rental Property and will need to submit the HdL Application Form. If you own rental property, you will also need to submit the Supplemental Rental Application Form. For more information, please contact HdL directly by phone at (650) 407-1740 or via email at DalyCityCompliance@hdlgov.com. 

Deadlines & Fees

The Business License Year begins October 1st and ends September 30th of the following year. In order to process all Business License Tax Certificate applications, the completed application and any other forms and information necessary must be returned with the proper fee enclosed.

The Business License tax and fees are nonrefundable.

Payment Methods

The Business License Division is now accepting online payments. If you would like to pay by credit card remotely, you can send a request for a credit card authorization form to our email, bl@dalycity.org.  Current acceptable payments are check or major credit card (Visa or MasterCard). Check payments should be made payable to "City of Daly City".

For more information, contact the Business License Division.

Disability Access & Compliance Fees

On September 19, 2012, Governor Brown signed into law Senate Bill 1186 which adds a state fee of $1 on any applicant for a local business license or renewal. Effective January 1, 2013 this fee will be required from all new business licenses or renewals.

On and after January 1, 2018, through December 31, 2023, the $1 additional fee is increased to $4. Starting January 1, 2024, the amount will reduce to $1.

The purpose of the fee is to provide a funding source for increased disability access and compliance with construction-related accessibility requirements and to develop educational resources for businesses in order to facilitate compliance with the federal and state disability laws.

Disability Access Compliance

Under federal and state law, compliance with disability access laws is a serious and significant responsibility that applies to all California building owners and tenants with buildings open to the public. You may obtain information about your legal obligations and how to comply with disability access laws at the following agencies:

• The CA Commission on Disability Access
• The CA Department of Rehabilitation
• The CA Division of the State Architect

FAQs

• General New Applicant (PDF)
• New Commercial Business (PDF)
• New Rental Applicant (PDF)
• Renewing (PDF)