The City of Huntington Beach Municipal Code requires all businesses operating in Huntington Beach to pay an annual business license tax. The City of Huntington Beach is a flat business tax city. A business license tax is an annual non-regulatory tax levied by individual California cities and counties for the privilege of conducting business within a particular city or county jurisdiction. The costs assessed are intended to raise revenue for the general operating requirements of individual cities and counties. City of Huntington Beach business license revenue pays for Police, Fire, and Safety expenses as well as other general operating costs of the City. 

 If your business is headquartered out of a home office, the Home Based Business License Application is the only document you will need to complete. As a Home Based business, zoning regulations limit what type of business can be conducted from home. You must comply with Section 230.12 of the City of Huntington Beach Zoning Code. The Home Occupation Permit is included in this application process. 

 Once you have obtained a business license, which is valid for one (1) year from the business start date, a renewal notice will be mailed to the mailing address on record approximately thirty (30) days prior to your expiration date. If you do not receive a renewal notice, please contact the Business License Office at (714) 536-5267. Be aware that the business license renewal notice is a courtesy notice only.  Failure to receive a renewal notice does not relieve the business owner of his/her responsibility to renew the business license and keep it current and valid.