Business Licensing

Business Licenses

UPDATE: Effective August 21, 2023, the Business Licensing  Unit will be relocated to the City of Irvine  Community Development Department. At  that time, if you require assistance with your application/renewal, this will be by appointment only. Please click here to make an appointment. 

The City of Irvine requires all commercial and residential businesses operating within the City to obtain and maintain an Irvine business license (Code of Ordinances Section 4-6-201) prior to conducting business. Before starting a business contact the City of Irvine Development Assistance Center at 949-724-6308 to confirm your business activity meets the land use requirements of the City's Zoning Code.

In accordance with City Council Resolution 21-33,  as of August 1, 2023, there is a $95.59 fee to obtain a business license for companies with 5 or more employees. The fee for companies with fewer than 5 employees is $68.57. An annual renewal fee of $68.57 will be applied to all businesses. 

In addition, there is a $4 fee required by the State of California. 

On October 11, 2017, Governor Brown signed into law Assembly Bill 1379, mandating cities to charge a State Fee of $4.00 to any business license application or renewal, effective January 1, 2018. This fee will provide a funding source for increased education on disability access and compliance with construction-related accessibility requirements to facilitate compliance with the federal and state disability laws. 

For questions about this fee, visit the Division of the State Architect website. 

The business license requirement enables the City to maintain a database of businesses that operate within the City that is used for police emergency responses, sales tax purposes, and a multitude of demographic studies. City of Irvine Business License representatives can be reached by email or at 949-724-7128. The Business License desk is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., closed for lunch 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.

Business License Applications

Apply for a New Business License
Renew/Update/ or Print a copy of your Business License

Additional Applications

Home Occupation Application
Change of Business Name, Physical Location or Mailing Address Form

Online Services

Public information collected on the business license application is available and is beneficial in providing assistance to the business community for economic development purposes and coordinating business information with other government agencies.

Business License Search
Full List of Licensed Businesses in the City

Agencies to Contact Before Starting a Business

Community Development Department (Planning & Development Services)

Contact the City of Irvine Development Assistance Center at 949-724-6308 to confirm your business activity meets the land use requirements of the City's Zoning Code.

Business Assistance

AGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION ASSISTANCE OFFERED
Department of Industrial Relations http://www.dir.ca.gov/ Labor Laws and Workers' Compensation
Trademark and Service Marks http://www.sos.ca.gov/business/ts California Only
U.S. Small Business Administration 714-550-7420
http://www.sba.gov/

For information on aid, counsel, and assisting small businesses

Services Corporation of Retired Executives (SCORE) 714-550-7369
http://www.score.org/
Monday thru Friday
9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
"How to Start a Business"
Irvine Chamber of Commerce 949-660-9112
http://www.irvinechamber.com/
Monday thru Friday
9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Membership Information
State of California Waste & Recycling Compliance City of Irvine
Public Works Department
Mike Byrne
949-724-6357
mbyrne@cityofirvine.org

Michael Balliet
Michael Balliet Consulting LLC
949-837-3618
mikeballiet61@gmail.com

California law now requires businesses to recycle (Assembly Bill 341, Assembly Bill AB 1826). All businesses that produce four or more cubic yards of trash (equal to one dumpster) per week must arrange for recycling services, and some businesses must arrange to have their food waste or other organic material recycled. You must contact the City of Irvine or its recycling consultant, Michael Balliet Consulting LLC, for assistance in complying with this law and implementing a recycling program. Balliet Consulting can provide a free waste analysis to determine the required trash and recycling services for your business. You can also check with Balliet to see if you are eligible to receive recycling service free of charge.

Other Certification, Licensing, or Permit Agencies

AGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION ASSISTANCE OFFERED
Secretary of State

1230 J St. #100
Sacramento, CA 95814
916-653-3365
http://www.sos.ca.gov/

Incorporation or business names
Orange County Clerk Recorder

12 Civic Center Plaza #101
Santa Ana, CA 92702
714-834-2500
http://www.ocrecorder.com/
or
24031 El Toro Road #150
Laguna Hills, CA 92653

Fictitious business name.
Internal Revenue Service

800-829-4933 (phone)
215-516-3990 (fax)
http://www.irs.gov/

The IRS requires an SS-4 application to be filled out in order for you to obtain a Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN). This number is to be used in place of your Social Security Number.

California Department of Tax and Fee Administration

16715 Von Karman Avenue #200
Irvine, CA 92606
949-440-3473
http://www.cdtfa.ca.gov

Obtain a Seller's Permit
Orange County Environmental Health

1241 E. Dyer Road #120
Santa Ana, CA 92705
714-433-6000
http://www.ochealthinfo.com/

Health Permits for businesses involved in food services
Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control

28 Civic Center Plaza #369
Santa Ana, CA 92701
714-558-4101
http://www.abc.ca.gov/

Licenses to Serve Alcohol
Contractors State License Board

800-321-2752
http://www.cslb.ca.gov/

Contractor Licenses
Department of Consumer Affairs

800-952-5210
http://www.dca.ca.gov/

Auto repair, airplane repair, hairdressers, etc.
Employment Development Department

2099 State College Blvd. #401
Anaheim, CA 92806
714-558-4101
http://www.edd.ca.gov

Disability insurance, income tax withholding, state, payroll, job services, etc.