Welcome to the City's Business License homepage. 

The City of Carson's Business License web page is filled with a tremendous amount of information that pertains to taxes and regulatory permits, in order to operate in the City. 

We've developed a list of the most frequently asked questions (FAQ). If your question or concern is not addressed in the FAQ, please contact the Revenue Division staff at 310 952-1748. Staff is available to assist you Monday through Thursday, between 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. City Hall is closed on all Fridays, weekends, and holidays.


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
 

1. What is a Business Tax?
2. Who is required to pay the tax?
3. How do I apply for a Business License?
4. How is the amount for a business license determined?
5. What is involved in the issuance of a tax certificate?
6. May a business tax certificate be transferred to a new location?
7. May a business license or permit be transferred from one owner to another?
8. Is a separate business tax certificate required for more than one type of business at the same location?
9. Does one certificate cover different branch locations or multiple locations?
10. May a business be operated from home?
11. What is a business permit?
12. What steps are involved in the granting of a business permit?
13. What is an alarm permit?
14. FTB Tax Registration Program FAQ
15. Where to start?

The Business Tax is a tax voted on and approved by the Carson residents. This tax is a revenue generating measure and is imposed for the privilege of doing business in the City of Carson. When the business tax is paid, the City issues a Business Tax certificate, which is commonly referred to as a "Business License." The revenue that is produced by the business tax, benefits the community and City facilities by financially supporting programs and City services, beautification, maintenance, and community events.

Carson Municipal Code (CMC) §6310 requires any person commences or conducts, or who conducts or intends to conduct, either directly or indirectly, any business, profession, trade or occupation, whether or not said person has a fixed place of business within the City, shall obtain a business license and pay all required taxes and fees.

The business license application link is https://payment.carson.ca.us/BL_WEB/Apply/GettingStarted/BusinessLicense
You can also request an application by sending an email request to revenue@carsonca.gov or pick one up at the Revneue Division Counter at City Hall.

1. NEW BUSINESSES – All business taxes and fees shall be paid in advance and PRIOR to the beginning of any business activity.

2. ESTABLISHED BUSINESSES – When a business has obtained a Carson business license, all renewal information will be mailed to you prior to the next year/tax period. However, it is business owner's responsibility to maintain a current/valid business license regardless if a renewal notice was mailed or received.

Retail, wholesale, manufacturing, warehousing, professional and semi-professional type businesses pay the flat tax rate. If the business operates with six or more employees, the City imposes a nominal charge on each additional employee.

In 1996, the Carson voters passed Measure K which allows the City to annually adjust the Tax Rate Schedule for business license tax and permit, based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI). Therefore, the tax rate will vary year to year. To view the current year tax rate schedule, it is located on the Business License/Permit Application link.

All commercial businesses that have a physical location in the City, CMC §6320 requires that all inspections are completed and passed before the City issues the business license. The purpose of the inspections is to ensure compliance with federal, state, local laws, and the mandates of the Carson Municipal Code.

There are a variety of departments involved in the inspection and approval process of the business license. The City and county departments are the Carson Planning & Environmental Services of the Development Services Group, the Los Angeles County Fire Department, and the Los Angeles County Health Department (if applicable). Based on a variety of businesses that are required to obtain a Regulatory Permit, in addition to the business license, the applicant must receive approval from the Los Angeles County Sheriff Department. City staff will provide you with the necessary information regarding the departments for the inspections.

There is an initial application fee that applied at the time of paying for your business license application. This fee helps offset the cost of these inspections.

Your business may be regulated and licensed by one of the many State of California departments. Please consult with the appropriate State Department(s) for further regulations pertaining to your business activity. The link listing agencies and departments is located on this page.

YES. A separate business license may be required for an additional business activity conducted at the same location. The business activity that would pay the highest business tax is imposed. The second business is taxed at a rate of one-half (1/2) of the required tax and fee. The half tax would not apply to incidental operations such as juke boxes, vending machines, or amusement machines stationed at the location.