Starting a Business in the City of Pico Rivera

The City of Pico Rivera welcomes you to its business community. Starting a business can be an exciting and challenging time. We wish you great success in your new venture!

The City of Pico Rivera requires a business license for all businesses. A business license is required regardless of the trade, profession or occupation and regardless of whether the main business address is located within the City.

Before you apply for a business license be sure to complete the following steps:

  • Check zoning requirements with the City's Planning Division
  • Get a Home Occupation Permit Required ONLY if Home-Based Business.
  • Get Fictitious Business Name (DBA; Doing Business As) from the LA County Recorder's Office
  • Get Resale Number from CA Department of Tax and Fee Administration - CDTFA (Required ONLY if conducting Sales)
  • Get Tobacco License from CDTFA (Required ONLY if selling tobacco products)
  • Get Health Permit from LA County Department of Health (Required ONLY if selling food products)
  • Submit a completed Business License Application including the Sub –Category page
  • CalGold - Assistance with Permit Information

The easiest and fastest way to apply for a new business license or renew your current license is using the online filing service. To begin, simply click on the “start now” button located on the right of this page. From the main menu please select the “apply” option to submit a new application for your business. Alternatively, you may download a copy of the business license application directly from the helpful forms section of this website.

If you need further assistance applying for a business license, you are welcome to contact us at PicoRivera@hdlgov.com or by phone Toll-Free at (562) 222-8750. Office hours are Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.


To get started, please select one of the online activities below:
Apply
Renew
Pay
  • Pay a balance due on your license

    Start here to pay a balance due on an established account with the CIty of Pico Rivera. Please do not use this option to begin the license renew process.

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Download Forms

Please download below

Business License Application .pdf   file_download

Please download below

Home Occupation App - General .pdf   file_download

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Residential Home-Based Business .pdf   file_download

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Cert of Occupancy - Checklist .pdf   file_download

Please download below

Cert of Occupancy - Application .pdf   file_download

please download below

AQMD Air Quality Checklist .pdf   file_download

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Fire Prevention Division Form .pdf   file_download

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LA County Public Health .pdf   file_download
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Frequently Asked Questions

A business license is an annual business tax for doing business within the City limits. The City of Pico Rivera Municipal Code (Section 5.08.010) requires that you obtain a license when you conduct any business activity within the City, even if your business is located outside of the City limits or if you have a business license from another City or County.

Business license taxes and fees help pay for City services like roads, fire, police and other community services. These services benefit businesses, business owners, and the general public. Business licenses are renewed annually.

Yes, businesses operating from a location inside the City of Pico Rivera will require a review from the Planning / Community Development Department and/or other agencies.

Commercial/Industrial Businesses: A City Business License and Certificate of Occupancy are required for commercial/industrial businesses located in Pico Rivera. Fees for the business license vary by the type of business and/or anticipated gross receipts. The current fee for a Certificate of Occupancy is $285.

After applying for a Certificate of Occupancy, your property will be scheduled for inspection by representatives of the necessary agencies. These may include the fire department inspector, the building inspector, and the health/sanitation inspector.

Home-Based Businesses: The City of Pico Rivera recently amended the Home Occupations Chapter of the Zoning Municipal Code (Chapter 18.52) to allow clients to come on-site of certain residential properties in conjunction with home-based businesses. New versions of the Home Occupation application forms are available for download on this website.

A business license application is required for businesses which are operated out of a residential property. Home-based businesses typically involve home offices only, such as for phone calls, paper work, emails, filing and mailing. In addition, only members of the residence can participate in the operation of the home-based business. Manufacturing and repair of products from home is also prohibited (i.e., sewing, craft-making, cooking, baking, food preparation, auto repair, etc.). Business signage cannot be displayed on the property.

A City Business License and Home Occupation permit are required for all home-based business. Most business license fees are computed using gross receipts of your business for the year. The current fee for a Home Occupation permit is $143.

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