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: This list may not encompass all the uses that may require Planning approval, and is subject to change.  

This list includes: - Automobile Repair, Rental, Installation, Sales and Service Station - Wireless Facilities - Banquet and 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 through service windows (such as restaurants) - Dry Cleaning (AQMD compliance) - Firearms - Hotels and Motels - Kennels - Live Entertainment (DJ, Singers, Dancers, Musicians) - Mobile Auto Detailing or Car Wash - Mobile Home Park - Music Instruction - Recycling Facilities - RV Sales and Services - Sale of Alcoholic Beverages - Schools - Seasonal (Pumpkin Patch, Christmas Tree Lots) - 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 and Breakfast Inns (R2, R3, R4) - Movie Theater - Day Care, Senior Housing - Plant Nursery - Educational Institutions - Petroleum Products - Explosives - Recycling or Waste Reduction - Fortune Telling - Restaurant - Heliports - Storage Facility - Massage Establishments and Spa - Warehouse

If your business includes retail or wholesale activity you must obtain a Seller's Permit (Resale Number) from the California Department of Tax & Fee Administration. We need a copy of your Seller's Permit showing an Orange address when you apply for a Business License. Seller's Permits for other cities are not acceptable. 

Learn more at California Dept of Tax & Fee Administration.

Owners of non-residential commercial property (OMC 5.14.170) and owners of apartment complexes (OMC 5.02.040), are also required to maintain a Business License and report gross rental receipts. A separate Business License is required for each branch establishment or location of the business. (OMC 5.06.050) Any business based outside the City but operating in the City of Orange must obtain a Business License and carry it with them.

Business License renewal notices are mailed during the month they expire. You have 1 month from the expiration date to renew. Failure to receive a renewal notice does not relieve the business owner of the responsibility for renewing the license before the penalty date. Late payments receive a 25% penalty. 

If you have a Gross Receipts Tax Schedule, you will need to state your business's gross revenue (before any expenses) for the last 12 months prior to the expiration date. Your license will be in renewal status and ready to renew online approximately three weeks before the expiration date. Renew your Business License online.

If your business license has a flat tax only, you may close your Business License online, but only if you did not continue to work in the City after the expiration date of your license, and there is no prior balance to be paid. If you worked in Orange after your expiration date, call (714) 744-2270 for extra help with this.

If you pay a Gross Receipts Tax, you cannot close your Business License online. You must send in your signed paper renewal notice, with the required tax calculations.

The maximum credit card payment we can accept is $5,000.

No, online renewals can only be done when there is a tax payment involved.

Check your renewal notice. Is it asking for missing information? If so, you cannot renew online until you provide this information. Is it asking for documentation such as service providers, Sellers Permit, state license, and more? Fax these into (714) 288-2170 and include a note asking us to give you access to your online account.

Yes, you can renew online up to six months past the Penalty Date. Late penalties of 25% per month are added to delinquent accounts.

Your license must be in “renewal status”. This occurs about three weeks before the expiration date.

Yes. However, please make your changes before the Penalty Date, as some changes may lock you out of the payment process. You may update your mailing address, phone numbers, or email address, then continue to pay your business license renewal. If you change your business name your account will be locked until it is reviewed and updated by City Staff. It may take up to 1 business day before your account is unlocked and you can finish paying your online renewal, so please allow time for this to be taken care of before the penalty date. If you change your business address in Orange, your account will be locked until this is reviewed and approved. A $10.00 “Move Fee” will be added to your account. Your address change will either be approved and your account unlocked within 1 business day so that you can complete your transaction, or you will be sent an email asking you to apply for Zoning and Planning approval for the new location. Please do not wait until the Penalty Date to make this type of change. You cannot change ownership online. A new owner will need to apply for a new license. Please do not change the Primary Contact's home address to a mailbox or to a business address. This will not be accepted.

The Security Code can be found on your Business License Renewal Notice, under “Total Due.” If you do not have your Renewal Notice with you, call (714) 744-2270 and have your Federal Tax ID number ready, or the last four digits of your Social Security Number, whichever one is usually listed on your Renewal Notice.