Business Licenses

A Process Guide

Renew your Business License NEW FEATURE!

A business license is required in the City of Chula Vista by any person who transacts, engages in or carries on any business within the corporate limits of the city (CVMC 5.02.020). To obtain a business license for a new business, submit a completed Business License Application at the Business License counter. For home-based businesses, a Home Occupation Permit must also be submitted with the Business License Application. Changes in ownership, address or use require completion of a new application. Business license taxes vary by type, location and size of business.

The following information is needed to complete an application: Business Location; Type of Business; Number of Employees; Home Address and Phone Number of Business Owner; Taxpayer ID Number or Owner's Social Security Number; Seller's Permit from State Board of Equalization and State License Number (contractor, physician, etc). Vending and amusement machines require a separate permit for each machine in addition to the primary business license.  All business license taxes must be paid at the time the application is submitted.

All existing businesses are mailed renewal notices each December.  To avoid penalties, complete the renewal notice and return it with the amount due by January 31st. For each month beginning February 1st that business license taxes are not paid, a 10% penalty will be assessed (March 1st - 20%, April 1st - 30%, May 1st -40%, June 1st - 50%). All business licenses taxes not paid by July 1st will be assessed a 60% penalty and could be referred to Code Enforcement. Once all required business license taxes have been paid a location can begin conducting business. However, a business license is not legal until all applicable city departments have approved the application and the business license is posted at the business location.