Business License Renewal Information & Assistance

This site is designed to assist Berkeley businesses in completing the business license renewal form and calculating business license tax payments. If you require additional information – or have not received a Business License Renewal Form in the mail – please contact us via email, telephone (510) 981-7200, or TDD (510) 981-7250.

Generally, all business licenses expire on December 31st. Business license renewals are mailed to business owners the first week of December and most businesses have until February 28th* to renew their business license. However, contractors must renew their license prior to applying for a building permit. Building permits will not be issued to contractors who do not possess a valid business license.

All Berkeley businesses are responsible for the timely filing of annual business license renewal and renewal payments, which must be received or postmarked by February 28th*.  Businesses failing to meet this deadline will incur late payment penalties of 10% March 1st, and an additional 40% on April 1st, and accrue interest at 1% per month after March 1st.   

In addition:

• If you close your business, you must complete and file a Closing Business Declaration within 30 days of closure, and provide the Gross Receipts received during the year.   See the Renewal Form and Instructions for further information.
• If you sell your business, the new owner must file for a new Business License, and may be required to revise or file new permits. Business Licenses are not transferable to new business owners. See also Essential Business License Information.

NOTE: * The 2016 deadline for renewals is February 29, 2016  (instead of February 28th).

NOTE: Merchant Parking Permits and Commercial Loading Zone decals for 2015 will expire on March 1, 2016.   Vehicles with visibly displayed 2015 permits/decals will not be cited during the extension period.

BUSINESS LICENSE RENEWAL

• Business License Renewal - General Form  
• Business License Renewal - Flat Fee form

Documents in .pdf format, require Adobe Acrobat Reader for viewing. You can download a free copy of Acrobat Reader from 

COMPUTING YOUR BUSINESS LICENSE TAX & OTHER ASSESSMENTS: Using the tax code designated in the preprinted section (gray box) of the renewal form, complete the corresponding section of the renewal form.

NONPROFITS: The tax code for nonprofit businesses will have an "N" following the base tax code. To locate the section you should complete, follow instructions corresponding to the base tax code (without the N). Example: if you have tax code BN, complete the section for tax code B.

ADDITIONAL BUSINESS LICENSE INFORMATION

• Business License Classifications & Rates Table
• Berkeley Municipal Code (BMC) Chapter 9.04 is an excellent source of information regarding the City’s business license requirements and regulations, types of business licenses, definitions of terms, and specific allowable deductions to gross receipts.
• Please CONSULT YOUR ACCOUNTING PROFESSIONAL for advice and to determine which regulations and deductions, if any, apply to your business.