The City of La Mirada requires all businesses operating in the City to operate with a City issued business license.  The business license tax is based on gross receipts, building size, commissions or fees depending on the business type.

Pursuant to the City of La Mirada Municipal Code Section 5.02.020 "No person shall commence, transact or carry on any business, trade, profession, calling or occupation in the City of La Mirada without first having procured a license from the City to do so or without complying with any and all application provisions of this title. "

This page provides information about operating a business in La Mirada.  It is not intended to be comprehensive of all requirements to operate a business.  

Business License Process

Effective January 1, 2020, new/initial business license applications will have to comply with Senate Bill 205 and complete the City SB 205 Compliance Form.  Your business license may not be finalized if it is determined that you are required to obtain a NPDES permit with the State of California.

1) Complete the following appropriate form(s) or apply online:   (Note- if submitting application online, the Zoning Clearance/Plan Check Application or Home Occupancy Regulation or Food Cottage Business License Application, if applicable, will need to be downloaded, completed and uploaded.  In addition, the Operating Statement on letterhead will need to be uploaded.  The application will be considered incomplete if required documents**are not included.)

** Indicates additional required documents.  If applying online- will need to be completed and uploaded

If applying as a business operating in an office space or commercial area located in the City:
Zoning Clearance/Plan Check Application** 
Operating Statement**- The operating statement should be completed by the authorized representative on letterhead. Information needed- nature of business, equipment on the property, hours of operation, number of employees and general information about the business. 


If applying as a Home-Based Business:
Home-Based Business License 
Home Occupation Regulations and Zoning Clearance/Plan Check Application** 
Operating Statement**- The operating statement should be completed by the authorized representative on letterhead. Information needed- nature of business, equipment on the property, hours of operation, number of employees and general information about the business. 

 If applying for a Food Cottage Business License:

2)  Submit the business license application and required documents to City Hall, online, or by email.
City of La Mirada
Attn: Business License Desk
13700 La Mirada Boulevard
La Mirada, California 90638
[email protected]

3)  The application will take approximately 2 to 3 weeks to process. 
If approved, you will need to schedule an inspection with the City's Building Inspector for an inspection.
         Home-based business licenses will be finalized upon Code Enforcement inspection

4) Fees can be paid with cash, check, or credit card.  Payments can be mailed, in-person, or online. 
    Make checks payable to City of La Mirada.
     
5)  The City will mail out the business license once it has been processed.  

Business licenses must be renewed annually.  

Exempt businesses

A business license shall be issued to the following enterprises or organizations at no charge and marked as “EXEMPT” upon the completion of an application and written notification of your exempt status.  (Municipal Code Section 5.04.280)

Useful Links


Business License FAQs

Business license applications can be obtained on the City's webpage or visit the Business License desk during business hours.

For all new In-City businesses and Home-based businesses, the zoning clearance/plan check application and/or Home Occupation Regulation (if applicable) will need to be completed.

Effective January 2020, all new businesses will have to comply with SB 205, if applicable. 

Yes, a home-based business is permitted with Planning Division approval.  A home-based business license application, zoning clearance and home occupancy permit are required.  Before starting a home-based business, please contact the Planning Office at (562) 943-0131.  Home based businesses must not have any code enforcement violations.

Home Based Business License and Home Occupation Regulations and Zoning Clearance/Plan Check Application

The business license tax is based on gross receipts, building size, commissions or fees depending on the business type. View the Business License Tax Worksheet to calculate the amount.

Every person failing to pay the business license fee on the date due will be subject to a penalty of 10% of the amount of the license fee for each thirty days thereafter up to a maximum of 100% of the business license fee due and owing.
The requirements depend upon the type of business. The basic requirements are as follows:
  • Business name and address (P.O. Box is not accepted)
  • Mailing address (if different from business address)
  • Description of business
  • State license number (contractors only - license will be verified)
  • Federal ID Number (if applicable)
  • Owner information - name, address, date of birth, driver's license number, etc.
  • Owner signature
The business license will expire one year from the quarter in which it was applied for.
On September 19, 2012, Governor Brown signed into law Senate Bill (SB) 1186 which adds a state fee of $1 on any applicant for a local business license, similar instrument or permit, or renewal. The purpose of this fee is to increase disability access and compliance with construction-related accessibility requirements and to develop education resources for business in order to facilitate compliance with federal and state disability laws, as specified.

On October 11, 2017, Governor Brown signed into law Assembly Bill (AB) 1379, which changed the State CASp fee starting January 1, 2018. This bill accomplishes the following:

  • Removes the sunset provision for the CASp fee, establishing it as a permanent fee.
  • Increases the fee to $4 (revised with Assembly Bill 2164 effective January 2024)
  • The municipality will retain 90% of the fees collected, remitting 10% to the State (revised with Assembly Bill 2164 effective January 2024)
Division of the State Architect at www.dgs.ca.gov/dsa/home.aspx 
Department of Rehabilitation at www.rehab.cahwnet.gov
California Commission of Disability Access at www.ccda.ca.gov
Business licenses are mailed out approximately 2 to 3 weeks after an application has been submitted.  Once approved, you will need to schedule a business license inspection with the Building and Safety Department to finalize the application.
Business licenses are non-transferable and fees are not prorated.  The license is terminated when there is a change in ownership.  The new owner will be the responsible party for obtaining a new business license.  The old owner is responsible for closing the existing business license.
The business license fee may be waived for honorably discharged veterans or veterans released from active duty under honorable conditions, who engage in sales (not services), except alcoholic beverages.  Proof of military status will be required.  (AB 498)
No.  In-home day cares and residential adult cares are licensed through the State of California, Department of Social Services, Community Care Licensing.  Please visit California Department of Social Services.
Please visit Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk's Office for information on filing a Fictitious Business Name.
Please visit the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration for information on obtaining a California Seller's Permit.

Yes.  All persons or businesses doing work within the City limits are required to obtain a City of La Mirada business license.  You may contact the Business License desk at (562) 943-0131 for verification or the City's business license search database.

All complaints against contractors are handled through the California Contractors State License Board.
The City does not handle complaints about unfair business practice or poor service.  If the complaint is regarding unfair business practice or poor service, contact the Better Business Bureau.

If the complaint is regarding a municipal code violation, please contact the Code Enforcement Department at (562) 943-0131.

Senate Bill 205 (SB 205) is a new California State law (effective January 1, 2020), which addresses the issues of stormwater pollution that remain unregulated by California’s clean water laws. SB 205, requires a business or person applying to the City for a new/initial business license or a renewal business license to provide their Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) Code. Businesses with a regulated SIC Code, processes and/or activities that have the potential to pollute stormwater, will be required to demonstrate compliance with the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Stormwater Industrial General Permit (IGP)

SB 205 Frequently Asked Questions

No.  The business address must be a physical location in the City of La Mirada.  You can have a PO Box as a mailing address.