Business Licenses

ALLOW 10 BUSINESS DAYS for receipt of your business certificate. Business License Certificates should be posted in a conspicuous place. Receipt of a Business License Certificate does not constitute an endorsement of the business, nor does it grant permission to conduct business at any place prohibited by the City’s Zoning Ordinances or any other Federal, State, or Local regulation.

Certain businesses require additional review and inspection by other City departments, such as Community Development, Fire, and Police. Specific requirements are contained in the Santa Barbara Municipal Code. Please contact the appropriate department for guidelines and forms. View page 2 of the Title 5, Business Taxes and Permits.

If you have received a business license notice from AVENU MuniServices LLC, please read the following:

The City of Santa Barbara has recently contracted with AVENU MuniServices LLC to conduct a business license compliance review to identify all businesses that may be operating in the city without a business license. If you received a notice with an application and need assistance completing the application, require information, or believe that this notice does not apply to you, please contact one of AVENU MuniServices’ Tax Specialists Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time at (800) 987-0999.

Applications from AVENU MuniServices, once completed, can be mailed directly to:

City of Santa Barbara
C/O Business License Processing Center
PO Box 27947
Fresno, CA  93729-7947

Expiration Dates & Renewal Notices

Renewal Invoices are mailed one month prior to their Expiration date. Be sure to notify our office of any mailing changes prior to this date.

Policy dictates that business licenses remain open until advised to close, delinquency charges will apply.

Changes to Your Business

If you have moved, changed the name of your business, changed partners, added on or decreased your working space, incorporated…anything…you will need to advise us. Additional Invoices and Billing Notices from the City of Santa Barbara could be mailed to your business based on its location.

Some changes, like name or owner interest, may not significantly affect your business license, however, location or complete ownership does.

When contacting our office, be sure to include your contact information, should there be any questions for our staff to clarify your information.  When possible, include official documentation as back up.

• Only the owner(s) or offices can request changes to the business or request a reprint of a business license certificate.
• Any changes will need to be sent in writing or requested in person, government identification will be requested.
• When requesting changes, please include old information, and how you which to apply the new information. (i.e. Mailing address only change)
• If you have received new Federal or State Tax identification numbers, be sure to include the new ownership name, officers and its DBA’s.
• If you have purchased or inherited a business you will need to fill out a new business license tax application.
• No longer in business? To close a business, or whether you have sold it, be sure to notify our office in writing. Include the date business ceased under your control.  Please include escrow date of sale and buyer information.
• If you wish to remove a partner, please have them sign a release document. Include a photo-copy of their driver's licenses.
• If you did not receive a Renewal Notice- contact our Finance staff immediately so one may be generated for you.

Effective January 1, 2013, State Mandated Disability Access Fee AB 1379 requires cities to impose a $4.00 state fee on all business licenses issued. The fees will be used to increase disability access and compliance with construction-related accessibility requirements and to develop educational resources for businesses to facilitate compliance with federal and state disability laws.

Under federal and state law, compliance with disability access laws is a serious and significant responsibility that applies to all California building owners and tenants with buildings open to the public. You may obtain information about your legal obligations and how to comply with disability access laws at the following agencies:

• Division of the State Architect
• Department of Rehabilitation
• California Commission on Disability Access

The State mandated fee of $4.00 is included on all business license applications and renewals.

The PBIA is the assessment mechanism that allows the City of Santa Barbara (City) to provide affordable parking rates to customers, visitors and clients of the Downtown area. The Downtown Parking budget is funded primarily by hourly parking revenues, and to a lesser extent, by PBIA assessments and permit sales. The PBIA revenues are directed solely towards hourly employee salaries and utility costs. These funds partially finance the operation and maintenance of the parking lots.

If your business is located within the PBIA 53-square block area of lower State St., it is subject to a quarterly assessment. The amount to be paid is based on the type of business and parking related criteria. You will receive a separate invoice quarterly for this assessment.

PBIA Quarters

• 1st Quarter:  Jan, Feb, March, Due April 15th *Delinquent on May 1st
• 2nd Quarter: April, May, June, Due July 15th *Delinquent on Aug 1st
• 3rd Quarter: July, Aug, Sept,  Due Oct 15th  *Delinquent on Nov 1st 
• 4th Quarter: Oct, Nov, Dec, Due Jan 15th *Delinquent on Feb 1st

*If paid on or after delinquent date, a 10% penalty will be applied for each month past due, up to a maximum 50% of the amount.

The Downtown and Old Town BID assessments are collected by the City and remitted to the Downtown Organization to provide marketing and promotional services to businesses. The Downtown Organization is dedicated to the promotion and enhancement of the economic and cultural vitality of downtown Santa Barbara for the benefit of its members, City residents, and visitors. Pursuant to Santa Barbara Municipal Code, Chapters 4.39 and 5.04, all businesses in the Districts are subject to this annual assessment.

Detailed information on assessment revenue, expenditures, and services provided to businesses is available in the Fiscal Year 2021 Annual Assessment Report. 
Questions about the assessments may be directed to

Robin Elander, Executive Director
Downtown Santa Barbara
(805) 962-2098 x801 (office)
robin@downtownsb.org

Downtown Business Improvement District (BID)

• Boundaries: The area bounded by Anacapa, Chapala, Micheltorena and Ortega Streets, and include businesses fronting on each street within or bounding the area, except businesses located north of the center line of Ortega Street.
• Assessment: Collected on an annual basis by the City of Santa Barbara and forwarded to the Downtown Organization.

Old Town Business Improvement District (BID)

• Boundaries: The area bounded by Anacapa, Chapala, Gutierrez and Ortega Streets and businesses fronting on each street within or bounding the area, except businesses located north of the centerline Ortega Street.
• Assessment: Collected on an annual basis by the City of Santa Barbara and forwarded to the Downtown Organization.