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General Business License Information

It is unlawful for any person to transact and carry on any business, trade, profession, calling, or occupation in the City of Porterville without first having procured a business license from the City. (City Code Sec. 15-5.)

Process time for an application is approximately 14 to 21 days from the date of application to issuance of the license.  Any license issued is contingent upon conformance with all municipal codes, and state and federal regulations.

Any business type requiring a permit from another City office, to conduct business, is not authorized by the business license application to conduct business until all requirements are met (examples: taxi cabs, home based business, card dealers).

Sales or use tax may apply to your business activities.  You may seek written advice regarding the application of tax to your particular business by writing or calling the nearest State Board of Equalization Office. (800) 400-7115.

No issued license is transferable from person to person or from business to business.  Any license may be amended to change a business location or add a branch of the same business type to an existing license.  A new application and fee is required to change ownership, change business name, conduct a “Going out of Business” sale, or change the type of business conducted.  For any other changes, check with the Business License Division to verify the business is in compliance.

Renewal of the business license is the responsibility of the business.  Renewal applications are sent out prior to the due date.  If a renewal application is not received by the business, it is the owner’s/operator’s responsibility to contact the Business License Division, prior to the delinquent date, to request a renewal form.  Any renewal application not received, in the office, by the last day of the due date month is charged successive, cumulative, penalties in the amount of 25% of the business tax.  If the due date falls on Saturday, Sunday or a holiday, the due date shall be the next regular business day. If there is a business closure or a business is no longer conducting business within the City limits, it is the responsibility of the business to notify the City.

Renewal dates for semi-annual business licenses are:

Due Date Delinquent Date
January 1st February 1st
July 1st   August 1st

Refund requests must be made in writing, by the applicant, within six months from the date the payment was received. Your request may be sent to City of Porterville, Purchasing Division, 291 North Main Street, Porterville, CA 93257.

Downloadable Forms (in Adobe PDF format, for Acrobat Reader 8.0 or newer)

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