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Reminder to Renew City Business Licenses by Jan. 31

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The City of Santa Barbara Business Tax Certificates (business licenses) expired December 31, 2023, and businesses have until January 31, 2024, to renew their business license without a late penalty. If you have not yet renewed your business license for 2024, please renew now. Renewal notices were mailed out to all business license holders in early December 2023. 

Business licenses expire December 31 each year and businesses must renew their business license tax certificate in January, as required by Santa Barbara Municipal Code Title 5 Business Taxes and Permits, Chapter 5.04.170 to avoid late fees. If paid on or after the delinquent date of February 1, a 10% penalty will be applied for each month past due, up to a maximum 100% of the amount.

For fastest processing, business tax certificate applications, renewals, and payments should be made online. The City’s online business license portal allows businesses to conveniently apply for, renew, and submit their business license payments. There are limited business licensing services are available at City Hall. 

For additional questions, please contact Assistant Finance Director Lyndsay Maas at (805) 564-5340 or by email at LMaas@SantaBarbaraCA.gov. 

Background: In January 2023, the City launched an online business portal, administered by Avenu Insights Analytics, to improve efficiency by streamlining administrative services and to enhance customer service to the community. A November 30, 2022, press release first notified the public of the online business license renewal process for the 2023 license tax year. Since then, press releases have been issued and public announcements have been made to the public through the City’s website, City newsletters, and letters sent to business license holders. The development of the online business license portal has enhanced the Finance Department's ability to offer broader public access to these services.