City of Elk Grove

Business License

Starting a Business


Types of Business Licenses

 

bullet General Business Licenses
bullet Home Business
bullet Special Business License
bullet Employee Permits
bullet Solicitors Permit

 

General Business Licenses

Licenses are issued to businesses with a physical location within the City limits based on compliance with Zoning Code Requirements. The fee for a General Business License is $110 for a two year license. Review and investigation of the license application can take up to 45 days for approval and then mailed to the applicant. The license is non-transferable. If the license is denied, you will be notified and provided an opportunity to appeal the decision.

Home Business

Running a business from home is an attractive idea to many people, but it is important for home business operators to remember that they are conducting a business in a home, which is most likely surrounded by other homes in a residential area. The City places certain restrictions on the operation of home businesses to protect the residential nature of the neighborhood and prevent nuisance complaints regarding noise, dust, and traffic. These rules protect you and your neighborhood. Please see zoning code ordinance for home business. The fees and review process is the same as the General Business License guidelines.

Special Business License (Must apply in person at City Hall)

Certain types of businesses are required to have more than one license. Usually the second license is a Special License. The Special License is issued based on a character review of the owner of certain types of businesses. The license is approved by the Police Department and fingerprinting of owner is required. The fee for a Special License is $125 and is an annual license. The one time fingerprinting fee is $44. This license may take up to 90 days to be approved.

There are certain types of enterprises which require special investigation, review and regulation in order to ensure that the public health, safety and welfare is adequately protected. Below is a list of the businesses that are required to get a Special License.

  • Antique Dealers-in firearms, jewelry, art objects, furniture or other valuables
  • Automobile Dismantlers-and marketers of used parts for automobiles
  • Mobile Automobile Repairs
  • Circuses and Carnivals
  • Sales of Concealable Firearms including gunpowder
  • Home Repair Services without a State of California License
  • Purchase or Sale of Metals including precious and scrap metals.
  • Auto Towing
  • Repossession or Storage of Automobiles or any other thing of value
  • The Operator of Each Booth-flea market, farmer’s market or auction
  • Private Security Companies
  • Tree Trimmers
  • Motorcycle Sales-including new and used parts
  • Wrecking Yards-including automobile dismantling
  • Dating and Introduction Services
  • Swimming Pool Cleaning Services
  • Janitorial, Maid or Carpet Cleaning Services
  • Pool Halls-one table or more is a pool hall
  • Itinerant Food Vendors-mobile food vendors
  • Movie and Television Productions-Film Permit
  • Dance Clubs, Halls and Public Dances
  • Taxicabs
  • Medical Cannabis
  • Cardrooms, Bingo Games, Bingo Parlors, Bingo Suppliers
  • Pawnbrokers, Secondhand Dealers and Junk Dealers
  • Junk Tire Storage
  • Tobacco Retailers
  • Adult Related Establishments-Bathhouse, Massage, Escort Services

Employee Permits (Must apply in person at City Hall)

The Employee Permit is based on a character review of the employees of certain types of businesses (taxi drivers, card dealers, ice cream vendors, massage therapists, etc.) Permit is approved by the Police Department. The fee for an Employee Permit is $75 and is an annual license. The one time fingerprinting fee is $44. This permit may take up to 90 days for approval by the Police Department.

Solicitors Permit

Every person who sells, solicits or takes orders for goods, wares, merchandise, books, periodicals, subscriptions, photographs or services from private residence shall pay an annual license fee of $36. There is also a background check with the Department of Justice of $44. Please contact the Business License staff for further information.

Last updated: 7/16/08 1:10 PM

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City of Elk Grove . 8401 Laguna Palms Way . Elk Grove, California 95758 . 916.683.7111 . Fax 916.691.2001