UPDATE: Effective August 21, 2023, the Business Licensing Unit will be relocated to the City of Irvine Community Development Department. At that time, if you require assistance with your application/renewal, this will be by appointment only. Please click here to make an appointment.
The City of Irvine requires all commercial and residential businesses operating within the City to obtain and maintain an Irvine business license (Code of Ordinances Section 4-6-201) prior to conducting business. Before starting a business contact the City of Irvine Development Assistance Center at 949-724-6308 to confirm your business activity meets the land use requirements of the City's Zoning Code.
In accordance with City Council Resolution 21-33, as of August 1, 2023, there is a $95.59 fee to obtain a business license for companies with 5 or more employees. The fee for companies with fewer than 5 employees is $68.57. An annual renewal fee of $68.57 will be applied to all businesses.
In addition, there is a $4 fee required by the State of California.
On October 11, 2017, Governor Brown signed into law Assembly Bill 1379, mandating cities to charge a State Fee of $4.00 to any business license application or renewal, effective January 1, 2018. This fee will provide a funding source for increased education on disability access and compliance with construction-related accessibility requirements to facilitate compliance with the federal and state disability laws.
For questions about this fee, visit the Division of the State Architect website.
The business license requirement enables the City to maintain a database of businesses that operate within the City that is used for police emergency responses, sales tax purposes, and a multitude of demographic studies. City of Irvine Business License representatives can be reached by email or at 949-724-7128. The Business License desk is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., closed for lunch 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.
Public information collected on the business license application is available and is beneficial in providing assistance to the business community for economic development purposes and coordinating business information with other government agencies.
Contact the City of Irvine Development Assistance Center at 949-724-6308 to confirm your business activity meets the land use requirements of the City's Zoning Code.
For information on aid, counsel, and assisting small businesses
Michael Balliet
Michael Balliet Consulting LLC
949-837-3618
mikeballiet61@gmail.com
1230 J St. #100
Sacramento, CA 95814
916-653-3365
http://www.sos.ca.gov/
12 Civic Center Plaza #101
Santa Ana, CA 92702
714-834-2500
http://www.ocrecorder.com/
or
24031 El Toro Road #150
Laguna Hills, CA 92653
The IRS requires an SS-4 application to be filled out in order for you to obtain a Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN). This number is to be used in place of your Social Security Number.
16715 Von Karman Avenue #200
Irvine, CA 92606
949-440-3473
http://www.cdtfa.ca.gov
1241 E. Dyer Road #120
Santa Ana, CA 92705
714-433-6000
http://www.ochealthinfo.com/
28 Civic Center Plaza #369
Santa Ana, CA 92701
714-558-4101
http://www.abc.ca.gov/
2099 State College Blvd. #401
Anaheim, CA 92806
714-558-4101
http://www.edd.ca.gov
Disability insurance, income tax withholding, state, payroll, job services, etc.