The City of Orange welcomes your business to our city.
For information on becoming a member of the Orange Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Bureau, please visit their website by clicking this link. The Chamber enables people to accomplish collectively what no one of them could do individually. They strive to meet the changing needs of the business community and create a working partnership with all the local components of business, government and the community.
A Guide to Opening a Business in Orange
The information provided below is to assist persons interested in establishing and conducting business in the City of Orange.
The City provides you with three options for obtaining a City of Orange Application for a Business Tax Certificate:
You may complete a Business License Application for businesses based INSIDE the City of Orange (such as commercial or home based businesses), or businesses based OUTSIDE the City of Orange. Print it out and mail it in with your total due to the address listed below. We also accept VISA and MasterCard, and you can fax in your application with a credit card authorization. General Contractors or Sub Contractors - please use the CONTRACTORS Application. Apartment Owners should use the RESIDENTIAL RENTAL application. Please contact our office at (714) 744-2270 for assistance. If needed, click this button for a free download of the latest Acrobat Reader.
You may contact our office at (714) 744-2270, press 1 and leave your business name, address, and type of business. An application will be mailed or faxed to you.
If you wish to apply in person, our office hours are listed below.
City of Orange, Finance Department Business License Division 300 East Chapman Ave. Orange, CA 92866 Phone: (714) 744-2270 Fax: (714) 288-2170
Hours: Monday-Thursday: 7:30 am to 5:30 pm, Available Fridays: 7:30 am to 5:30 pm.
The application for a Business Tax Certificate must be completed in its entirety to be accepted. It is important to be specific in your business description, ownership information, and to provide a legible signature. On-line renewals are coming!! We hope to offer this service before the end of 2010.
Any individual, partnership, corporation or non-profit organization that wishes to conduct business within the City of Orange must obtain a Business Tax Certificate. Orange Municipal Code Section 5.02.040 states "it is unlawful for any person to transact and carry on any business, trade, profession, calling or occupation in the City without first having procured a Business Tax Certificate from the City to do so, or without complying with any and all applicable provisions of title."
Owners of non-residential commercial property (OMC 5.14.170), and owners of apartment complexes (OMC 5.02.040), are required to maintain a Business Tax Certificate and report gross rental receipts.
A separate Business Tax Certificate is required for each branch establishment or location of the business. (OMC 5.06.050)
Other Business License Issues
Application Processing Fee Each new application for a Business Tax Certificate must include a processing fee of $46.00 and the minimum tax as listed on the back of the application for the specific type of business. The processing fee is non-refundable.
License Renewal Renewals of your Business Tax Certificates are mailed during the month they expire. You are given a 30-day grace period to renew. Retail, Wholesale/Manufacturing and Service business taxes are based on gross receipts in arrears. Therefore, your renewal must indicate your business's gross receipts for the last 12 months prior to the expiration date. We will be adding on-line renewals over the next few months and this service should be up and running before the end of 2010.
Renewal Processing Fee Each renewal will have a $23.00 renewal processing fee shown on the form. This amount needs to be added to the total tax and any other applicable fees due in order to renew your license.
Change in Location If you change your business location, a $5.00 move fee and a completed application for a Business Tax Certificate are required.
Change in Ownership or Federal Tax Identification Business Tax Certificates are not transferable. A change in ownership requires a new application for a Business Tax Certificate.
Penalties for Late Renewal Late penalties are assessed at 25% per month. Failure to receive a renewal notice does not relieve the business owner of the responsibility for renewing the Business Tax Certificate.
Termination of Business Please contact the Business License Division should you terminate your business.
Business License Tax Enforcement Program The City of Orange has initiated an enforcement program utilizing information from the Franchise Tax Board to identify businesses that may not be reporting and paying their annual business taxes. Businesses that engage in business in the City must have a valid City of Orange business license and pay applicable business taxes. This includes self-employed independent contractors and home-based businesses. If you are not licensed with the City, owe business taxes, or need additional information, we encourage you to click on the links below or call (714) 744-2270.
Contact the City of Orange Planning and Zoning Department at (714) 744-7220 to inquire about zoning banners and sign requirements for your type of business at its planned location. In addition, you must comply with all City, County, and State regulations for zoning, building, health, and safety.
The following types of business activities generally require additional review, a Conditional Use Permit, or some other form of discretionary action through the Planning Division. If you are proposing to establish any of these types of business activities, please check with the Planning Division before proceeding with your plans. Please note that this list may not encompass all the uses that may require Planning approval, and is subject to change.
Automobile Repair/Rental/Installation/Sales/Service Station
Wireless Facilities
Banquet/Festival Halls (Events)
Billiard Parlors
Bingo
Car Wash
Chemical Production
Church
Child Care Center (in church)
Cyber Café/Internet Café
Dance Studios, Dance Halls
Drive thru service windows (i.e. restaurants)
Dry Cleaning (AQMD compliance)
Firearms
Hotels/Motels
Kennels
Live Entertainment (DJ, Singers, Dancers, Musicians)
Mobile Auto Detailing/Car Wash
Mobile Home Park
Music Instruction
Recycling Facilities
RV Sales/Services
Sale of Alcoholic Beverages
Schools
Seasonal – Pumpkin Patch, Xmas Tree Lots etc
Special Events
Stables Trade or technical schools
Valet Parking
Vending Carts/machines
Video games, amusement devices (4 or more)
The following types of business activities are allowed in some commercial and industrial zoning districts, either as a permitted use, or a use allowed subject to issuance of a Conditional Use Permit.
25% Increase in Office w/Industrial
District Metallurgy
Amusement Arcade
Mini-Mart
Convenience Store
Bed & Breakfast Inns (R2, R3, R4)
Movie Theatre
Day Care, Senior Housing
Plant Nursery
Educational Institutions
Petroleum Products
Explosives
Recycling/Waste Reduction
Fortune Telling
Restaurant
Heliports
Storage Facility
Massage Establishments/Spa
Warehouse
Other Permits and Licenses
Alcoholic Beverages If you plan to sell or serve alcoholic beverages, contact the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board at (714) 558-4101 for further information.
Federal Employer Identification Number Contact the Internal Revenue Service at (800) 829-1040 for a Federal Employer Identification Number or visit http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0,,id=98350,00.html. The IRS will provide a Business Kit, seminars for new businesses, additional information and forms.
Fictitious Name Statement If your business name does not include your surname or if the business name suggests that there is the existence of additional owners, you must file a fictitious name statement at the County Clerk's Office. You may contact the Orange County Clerk's Office at (714) 834-2889 to obtain information on how and where to file.
Food If your business intends to prepare and/or sell food of any type, even pre-wrapped, you must complete an application for a Health Permit. Contact the Orange County Health Care Agency at 1241 E. Dyer Road, Ste. 120, Santa Ana, CA 92705 or call (714) 433-6000 to obtain a permit.
Seller's Permit Your business activity may require a Seller's Permit (Retail Sales Tax Number/Resale Number) from the State Board of Equalization. You may contact them at (949) 440-3473 to confirm the need for such a permit. Please provide a copy of the Seller's permit showing an Orange address with your application for a Business Tax Certificate.
State of California Consumer Affairs License You may be required to obtain a State of California Consumer Affairs License for your specific type of business. Information can be obtained at State of California Consumer Affairs or by calling (800) 952-5210. The City of Orange requires you to disclose this number on your application.
Click here for "one-stop" state, local, regional, and federal permit, licensing and tax requirements. For more information. please call (714) 744-2270.
