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Apply for Business License
If you are located in a Commercial, Industrial or Residential area in the City of Ventura, you must acquire an approved Zoning Clearance from the Planning Division prior to applying for your Business License (Business Tax Certificate). To obtain an approved Zoning Clearance, complete the Zoning Clearance Form and submit it via email to permits@cityofventura.ca.gov with the subject "Zoning Clearance Form". You must await the approval from the Planning Division before completing the Business License Application.
If you are located outside of the City of Ventura, then you are not required to obtain an approved Zoning Clearance from the Planning Division.
Once all required forms have been completed, you may scan and email your application packet to BL@cityofventura.ca.gov for review and processing. After your application has been reviewed and processed, you will receive an email with a link to make the payment online.
IMPORTANT: It is a business owners' responsibility to be familiar with and adhere to the Business License Tax ordinance. For a full copy of the Business License Tax ordinance click here: Chapter 4.155 - Business License Tax
Business License Applications
Application for Exemption from Business License Tax - Non Profits, Limited Income, Disabled Veteran
Businesses located inside the City of Ventura
Businesses located outside the City of Ventura
Massage Establishment
Massage Professional
Master Fee Schedule-Business Tax Office Related Fees 2021
Zoning Clearance for New Business License Form
Cannabis Permits
Delivery of cannabis is allowed in the City of San Buenaventura with the issuance of a Cannabis Delivery Services Permit. Any Cannabis Delivery Service operating out of a physical location within the City must also obtain a Cannabis Business Permit pursuant to the San Buenaventura Municipal Code (SBMC) Sections 6.420.190 through 6.420.370. Note: The grant of a Cannabis Delivery Service Permit does not create any right for the Cannabis Delivery Service to a Cannabis Business Permit. Click here for a full copy of SBMC Chapter 6.420 Commercial Cannabis Businesses.
What applications should I complete to deliver cannabis in the City of San Buenaventura?
If delivery is from a cannabis business located outside the City:
- Complete the Cannabis Delivery Services Permit Application (below).
If you want to deliver cannabis from a location within the City:
- You must first complete the Cannabis Business Permit application process. This is a merit-based application process that is only open at certain times during the year. The closest application window is June 28 – August 11, 2021. The next window will be at a later date possibly early next year.
- Once you obtain an Cannabis Business Permit, you may apply for the Cannabis Delivery Services Permit to deliver from your approved location.
- For more questions about the Cannabis Delivery Services and Retail Permits, see the FAQ here.
Quarterly Cannabis Business Tax
November 3, 2020, voters of the City of Ventura approved Measure I, a ballot measure for the taxation of cannabis business in the City of Ventura and San Buenaventura Municipal Code (S.B.M.C.) chapter 4.170, titled “Cannabis Business Tax” was adopted.
Beginning January 1, 2021, a Cannabis Business Tax was imposed upon each person who is engages in a Cannabis Business to be paid, in arrears, on a quarterly basis, San Buenaventura Municipal Code (S.B.M.C.) chapter 4.170.060.A.
Cannabis Business Tax Ordinance
FT-04 Cannabis Business Tax Quarterly Return
Cannabis Delivery Services Permit Application
To engage in any commercial cannabis delivery activity within the City, the following must be provided to the City Business Tax Office:
- State license for retail sale of cannabis from a permitted facility that is directly linked to and responsible for the delivery activity;
- State seller’s permit;
- City of Ventura business license;
- Cannabis Delivery Services application; and
- Live Scan application and VPD 92A form for each owner, manager, and delivery driver.
Cannabidiol (CBD) Products
Any business that sells industrial hemp products containing no more than 0.3% tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is required to come to the Business Tax Office to sign an affidavit before opening a business license. To see a sample of the form click here. This form must be signed at the Business Tax Office.
SIC Codes and Industrial General Permit (IGP) Requirements - Steps 1-4
On October 2, 2019, the State of California passed Senate Bill 205, effective January 1, 2020, requiring certain regulated businesses to demonstrate enrollment with Stormwater Industrial General Permits (IGP) BEFORE cities may issue, or renew, a local business license.
What should a business do to comply with these requirements?
Determine the primary Standard Industry Classification (SIC) Code(s) for your business using SIC Search or NAICS/SIC crosswalk if you know your NAICS.
Determine whether the SIC code is one required to enroll in the State IGP program at IGP-regulated codes.
If the SIC code is a regulated code, enroll the business under the State’s IGP SMART tracking system and then continue to #4.
If the SIC code for your business IS NOT a regulated code, continue with your renewal form and skip #4.Provide one of the following to the City of Ventura with your business license renewal: WDID application # and WDID, or NONA, or NEC.
What if I have more questions about the State Stormwater Program?
Ventura County Contact: Andrew Veloz, Water Resource Control Engineer
Email: Andrew.Veloz@waterboards.ca.gov
Phone: (213) 620-2243
Review the State’s Frequently Asked Questions
Note: The City of Ventua does not administer or enforce the IGP.
Tobacco Retailer License Required
On January 13, 2020, City Council passed an ordinance no. 2020-002, titled “Tobacco Retailer License”, making it a requirement for all Tobacco Retailers in the City to obtain a City-issued Tobacco Retailer License. This license is in addition to a City of Ventura business license and state cigarette and tobacco license.
Note: You must have Planning and Zoning Approval, (805) 654-7869, prior to submitting Tobacco Retailer License Application.
For a copy of the Tobacco Retailer License application, click here.
To review the Tobacco Retailer License ordinance, click here.
Helpful Information
- Business License Office - Information & Phone Numbers
- New Business Handbook
- Home Occupation Zoning Requirements (PDF)
- Guidelines to Prepare for Your Fire Inspection (PDF)
- Tax Rates and Information - Commercial Rental Property Owners
- Tax Rates and Information - General
- Tax Rates and Information - Realtors
- Tax Rates and Information - Contractors
Exemptions & More
- Apportionment Guidelines
- Contractor (State Licensed)
- Disabled Veteran Exemption
- Exempt from Business Tax?
- Limited Income Exemption
- Non-Profit Exemption
Whenever a person engages in business both within and outside the city, the Business Tax shall be fairly apportioned to reflect that portion of business conducted within the city.
All state licensed contractors must obtain a City Business License prior to pulling any building permits. When applying for a business license, contractors cannot report less than $75,000 in gross receipts without proof. If the company is sending an agent to apply for a business license, he or she must provide an Agent Authorization letter with photo I.D.
For any Building Permit questions, please contact the Building & Safety department at (805) 654-7869 or click here.
Useful Links
To Qualify for the Disabled Veteran Exemption, you must be/have:
1. Honorably discharged from the United States Armed Services as a soldier, sailor, marine or airman.
2. Certification of medical or physical inability to obtain a livelihood by manual labor.
3. Voter registration from the State of California.
4. A detailed description of proposed business activity.
Persons applying for a Business License who qualify under the Disabled Veteran Exemption only pay an administrative fee of $20 for a Business Tax Certificate, and do not have to pay the Business License tax.
All businesses MUST have a Business Tax Certificate, even those exempt from the Business Tax. Exempt businesses only pay an administrative fee for a Business Tax Certificate.
Useful Links
Persons applying for a Business License who qualify under the Limited Income Exemption only pay an administrative fee for a Business Tax Certificate, and do not have to pay the Business License tax.
To Qualify as Limited Income:
- A copy of the previous year's tax return showing income of $2,400 or less
- An Administrative fee of $20
A Non-Profit exemption is available for a Nonprofit organization or corporation conducting, managing or carrying on of any business, occupation or activity from a fixed place of business in the city. Those who qualify only pay an administrative fee for a Business Tax Certificate and do not have to pay the Business License tax.
To qualify as non-profit:
- The organization's articles of incorporation is changed within the last 5 years
- Evidence of the organization's non-profit status (i.e. federal or state tax exempt status letter or a recent tax return)
- Pay an administrative fee of $20
Programs & More
- Economic Develop Collaborative
- Fictitious Name Filing
- SCORE
- Seller's Permit
- Women's Economic Ventures WEV
- Business Consulting & Workshops
- Loans & Funding Assistance
- Manufacturing Assistance Program
- How-to on International Trade
- http://edc-vc.com
- Every person who regularly transacts business in this state for profit under a fictitious business name shall file a fictitious business name statement not later than 40 days from the time he/she commences to transact such business.
- https://www.ventura.org/business-services/licenses-regulations-and-permits/
- For Free Business Counseling, you can contact SCORE at (805) 204-6022
- https://www.score.org
- Contact the Board of Equalization or Apply Online at (805) 677-2700
- http://www.boe.ca.gov/
- Business Training
- Loans
- Consulting
- Spanish Services
- http://wevonline.org/