Apply for Business License

Business License Applications


  1. Application for Exemption from Business License Tax - Non-Profits, Limited Income, Disabled Veteran
  2. Businesses located inside the City of Ventura
  3. Businesses located outside the City of Ventura
  4. Massage Establishment
  5. Massage Professional
  6. Master Fee Schedule-Business Tax Office Related Fees 2021

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:

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?

  1. Determine the primary Standard Industry Classification (SIC) Code(s) for your business using SIC Search or NAICS/SIC crosswalk if you know your NAICS.

  2. Determine whether the SIC code is one required to enroll in the State IGP program at IGP-regulated codes.

  3. 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.  

  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

  1. Business License Office - Information & Phone Numbers
  2. New Business Handbook
  3. Home Occupation Zoning Requirements (PDF)
  4. Guidelines to Prepare for Your Fire Inspection (PDF)
  5. Tax Rates and Information - Commercial Rental Property Owners
  6. Tax Rates and Information - General
  7. Tax Rates and Information - Realtors
  8. Tax Rates and Information - Contractors

Exemptions & More

  1. Apportionment Guidelines
  2. Contractor (State Licensed)
  3. Disabled Veteran Exemption
  4. Exempt from Business Tax?
  5. Limited Income Exemption
  6. 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.

Programs & More

  1. Economic Develop Collaborative
  2. Fictitious Name Filing
  3. SCORE
  4. Seller's Permit
  5. Women's Economic Ventures WEV
  • Business Consulting & Workshops
  • Loans & Funding Assistance
  • Manufacturing Assistance Program
  • How-to on International Trade
  • http://edc-vc.com