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To register and pay your business fee, follow the steps below:

1. Get application from one of the addresses below.

Administrative Services Department
2nd Floor, City Offices
2415 University Avenue
East Palo Alto, CA 94303

East Palo Alto City Annex
2200 University Avenue
East Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650) 853-3189

2. Turn in application with fee. The fee is currently $35 (one-time only) and a yearly amount based on earnings as indicated in the application.

3. Receive a Business Tax License Certificate

The Business Fee expires December 31 each year. The Finance Department will mail you a notice and you must validate and pay calculated sliding fee before February 1. (Provide copies for proof of sliding scale amount).

If you register your business between September 1 and December 31, you are not subject to renewal until the following December 31. When you renew the Business Fee, the Finance department will mail you a renewal sticker to be placed on your Business Permit.

Obtain Business Permit

To obtain a Business Permit, follow the five easy steps below:

1. Bring completed application to Community Development Department. Staff gives requirements for Business Permit.

Community Development Department or City Annex
2200 University Avenue
East Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650) 853-3189

2. Fulfill the specified requirements.

3. Return application with proof of requirements (provide copies).

4. Application is reviewed by the Police Department and Community Development Department for approval. You will be called about approval status.

5. Receive Business Permit. You are ready to start your business!

The Business Permit does not expire. However, other regulations need to be renewed. The Home Business Permit and the Mobile Vendor Permit are renewed through the Community Development Department. The Home Business Permit and the Mobile Vendor Permit follow the same expiration dates as the Business Fee.

Other permits and regulations have different renewal dates. You must renew these according to the rules of the specific requirements.