Business License Renewals and Closures

Renew your business license each year

All business licenses expire on December 31 and you will need to file for renewal and pay before March 1. Businesses failing to meet this deadline will be charged late payment penalties:

• 10% (Penalty 1) on March 1
• Accrue 1% monthly interest on outstanding business license tax, penalty 1 starting March 1
• Additional 40% (Penalty 2) on April 1
• Accrue 1% monthly interest on Penalty 2 per month starting April 1

In addition, contractors will not be approved for any building permits until they have an active business license.

The City of Berkeley will mail business license renewal information every December. If you do not receive renewal information, please visit the City’s website to obtain a renewal form.  For more information, call (510) 981-7200, or TDD (510) 981-6903. You are still responsible for renewing your business license by the deadline, even if you do not receive a reminder in the mail.

Submit your renewal form and payment by mail, in person, or online:

• Mail to City of Berkeley, 1947 Center Street, 1st Floor, Berkeley, CA 94704. Enclose a check made out to "City of Berkeley."
• Submit in person at the Customer Service Center, where you may pay by check, cash, debit, or credit card (Visa or Mastercard).  The Customer Service Center is open Monday to Thursday, 8:30 am to 4:00 pm.
• Most businesses are eligible to renew online. Please review the Online Business License Renewal Portal User Guide to see if you are eligible.

Complete a Business License Renewal Form

Complete a Business License Renewal Form to renew your license. Most businesses will fill out a General Business License Renewal Form, except for non-profits, street vendors, or owners of rental property.

General Business License Renewal Form

Most businesses have the option to renew their license online. Please review the Online Business License Renewal Portal User Guide to see if you are eligible. You can also choose to file by mail or in person using the forms below:

• Fillable form with auto calculations (fill in digitally, then print)
• Fillable form with no auto calculations (print, then fill out by hand)

Flat Fee Business License Renewal Form

Non-profits can renew their license online. You can also choose to file by mail or in person using the flat-fee renewal forms below:

• Fillable form with auto calculations (fill in digitally, then print)
• Fillable form with no auto calculations (print, then fill out by hand)

Rental of Real Property Business License Renewal Form

Owners of rental properties can file for renewal online. You can also choose to file by mail or in person using the forms below:

• Fillable form with auto calculations (fill in digitally, then print)
• Fillable form with no auto calculations (print, then fill out by hand)

Learn more about the Business License Tax on the Rental of Five or More Units of Residential Real Property.

Closing your business

You need to file a Closing Business Declaration within 90 days if you:

• Close your business
• Close a location of your business
• Transfer ownership of your business

To file a Closing Business Declaration, complete the appropriate form below and pay fees based on your gross receipts from January 1 to the end of business operation in the same year.

You can complete a Closing Business Declaration Form or, if you received a Business License Renewal Form, you may provide your closing information on the renewal form.

Send your completed form with payment, if applicable, to the Finance Department, Revenue Collection, 1947 Center Street, 1st Floor, Berkeley, CA 94704.

General Closing Business Declaration Form

• Fillable form with auto calculations (fill in digitally, then print)
• Fillable form with no auto calculations (print, then fill out by hand)

Rental of Real Property Closing Business Declaration Form

Owners of rental properties can file a closing declaration online. You can also choose to file by mail or in person using the forms below:

• Fillable form with auto calculations (fill in digitally, then print)
• Fillable form with no auto calculations (print, then fill out by hand)

If you have transferred ownership of your business, the new owner will need to file for a new business license. Contact Customer Service at (510) 981-7200 for more information.

Pay your business license tax

Pay your business license tax due to renew your Business License. Follow instructions on the renewal form to calculate how much you owe.

In general, most businesses will calculate the amount owed by multiplying gross taxable receipts by the tax rate for your type of business. Review the current business license classifications and tax rates.

Small businesses that have received governmental research and development (R&D) grants may be eligible for to request a waiver on their City of Berkeley business license tax. To apply, complete a waiver form and email it to oedmailbox@cityofberkeley.info.