Who Needs a Business License

Any person who conducts any business, trade, profession, enterprise, establishment or occupation within the City of Gardena is required to obtain a license whether or not the physical business address is in or outside of the City. These include but are not limited to:

  • Businesses located WITHIN the City’s boundaries such as: retailers, wholesalers, manufacturers, professional service providers, home-based businesses, non-residential (commercial) and residential rental property, etc.
  • Businesses located OUTSIDE the City’s boundaries that transact business or provide service in the City, such as: construction contractors, independent service providers, repair and handyman services, gardeners, delivery services, real estate sales, janitorial services, temporary employment services, security services, property management, etc.
  • Mobile vendors such as: ice cream trucks, catering trucks and itinerant sales representatives.

There are certain types of business activities that are not permitted to operate in the City unless the owner or operator has been awarded a franchise or has received a permit from City Council. Examples of such businesses include: trash haulers, cable television, fireworks sales, taxicab operations, massage establishment, and pawnshops or secondhand dealer.

The Business License Application Process

  1. Thoroughly complete all sections of the Business License Application. It may be completed by the owner or an authorized agent with an authorization letter that can file the business application.

Helpful Hint: Depending on the type of business you plan on opening applicable local regulatory permits may apply and you may need to file more than one form. For more information on doing business in Gardena and the required documents click on the Schedule an Appointment/Business Info Icon.

Helpful Hint: One of the most important steps in planning your business is to obtain a location that is zoned properly for the type of business you are intending to open. We recommend that all business owners receive a zoning clearance from the Planning Division at cddplanningandzoning@cityofgardena.org for the proposed location of your business PRIOR to entering into any purchase, lease, or rental agreement for the property.

  1. Receive a Business Certificate of Occupancy. Most businesses located in the city must obtain a Business Certificate of Occupancy to occupy the premises. An inspection of the premises is conducted to ensure the business location is compliant with zoning, fire, and building and safety requirements. The time and date of the business inspection is set by appointment only. The owner or manager must be present at the business during the inspection. A business license and business certificate of occupancy will not be issued for the business until the Building & Safety Division signs off that the inspection process has been completed. Exceptions to the Business Certificate of Occupancy inspection requirement include: any business located outside of the City, home-based businesses, residential rental property, and non-residential rental property.

Please contact the Business License office with any questions at (310) 217-9518, or email to cddlicenseandpermitcenter@cityofgardena.orgwith your inquiry or schedule an appointment to speak with a Business License staff member.

Business License Fees and Renewal

Business license taxes are set by City ordinance and are calculated either as a “flat rate” or on “gross revenues” depending on the type of business operation. To view a listing of business license fees, click here. Business licenses expire on December 31st of each year and must be renewed annually to continue business operations in the city. Late fees will apply upon failure to renew the license within 30 days after the annual expiration date for businesses that have a flat fee rate and by February 28 for businesses that have fees based on gross revenues.

** On October 11, 2017 Governor Brown signed into law AB-1379 which increases the SB-1186 fee from $1 to $4 on any application for a local business license or similar instrument or permit, or renewal thereof. The purpose of this fee is to increase disability access and compliance with construction-related accessibility requirements and to develop educational resources for businesses in order to facilitate compliance with federal and state disability laws, as specified. 

If you have received a RENEWAL NOTICE for your business license and intend to pay with a credit card, you can either renew On-Line or pay your license renewal fee in person at City Hall, Administrative Services, 1700 W. 162nd in Gardena. The business hours for City Hall are Monday – Thursday 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.on Fridays. Be sure to complete all sections of the form and make any corrections needed to update the information. Changes to the following: Business Name, Owner/Partner or Corporate Name, Business Location in Gardena may require additional paperwork to be submitted. Please contact the Business Licensing Office at (310) 217-9518 if you have any questions.

A business license certificate will be mailed to the address indicated on your renewal form approximately three weeks from the receipt of your payment. If you want to verify the receipt of your payment, you may do so by calling (310) 217-9521 or click on the link provided below.

  • Click here to renew your business license online.

Business License On-Line Renewals

For your convenience, the City of Gardena offers residents and businesses the option to renew their business license via the Internet. All you need to access this service is your business license account number and security code. This information is pre-printed on your business license renewal notice in the upper right-hand corner. NOTE: If you do not have the original letter mailed out with your security code and account number, please contact the City of Gardena at BLRenewals@CityOfGardena.Org or call (310) 217-9521 to obtain a reprint of your renewal notice.

Renewal notices are mailed out mid-December every year. If you do not receive your notice, please call the City of Gardena Revenue & Collections Office at (310) 217-9521.

Business License Renewal State Mandated Fee Increase 

** On October 11, 2017 Governor Brown signed into law AB-1379 which increases the SB-1186 fee from $1 to $4 on any application for a local business license or similar instrument or permit, or renewal thereof. The purpose of this fee is to increase disability access and compliance with construction-related accessibility requirements and to develop educational resources for businesses in order to facilitate compliance with federal and state disability laws, as specified.

SB 205 Business Licenses: Stormwater Discharge Compliance

** California Senate Bill No. 205, which was approved on October 2, 2019 and applies to all initial business license and business license renewal applications submitted on and after January 1, 2020, mandates industrial facilities operating with the City of Gardena to demonstrate coverage under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Industrial General Permit (IGP) program prior to being issued a new or renewed business license by the City of Gardena.