Checked 2026-08-17
Authorities, not borrowed summaries
These sources support the Los Angeles retail checklist. Opening a source does not mean every rule on that site applies to every business.
U.S. Small Business Administration
Apply for licenses and permits
Requirements vary by activity, location and issuing agency; federal, state, county and city layers may all matter.
Open ↗Requirements vary by activity, location and issuing agency; federal, state, county and city layers may all matter.
City of Los Angeles Office of Finance
The Business Registration Process
People or entities conducting business activities in the City of Los Angeles apply for a Business Tax Registration Certificate and may need other agency registrations.
Open ↗People or entities conducting business activities in the City of Los Angeles apply for a Business Tax Registration Certificate and may need other agency registrations.
California Department of Tax and Fee Administration
Do You Need a California Seller's Permit?
A business selling or leasing tangible personal property in California generally must register for a seller's permit unless an exclusion applies.
Open ↗A business selling or leasing tangible personal property in California generally must register for a seller's permit unless an exclusion applies.
Los Angeles City Planning
Zoning Search
ZIMAS provides property-specific zoning, land-use, planning-case and building-permit information by address or parcel.
Open ↗ZIMAS provides property-specific zoning, land-use, planning-case and building-permit information by address or parcel.
State of California
Business permits and licensing help
CalGOLD directs businesses to federal, state, regional and local permitting authorities but does not issue permits or determine every requirement.
Open ↗CalGOLD directs businesses to federal, state, regional and local permitting authorities but does not issue permits or determine every requirement.
California Secretary of State
Starting a Business — Entity Types
Corporations, LLCs and limited partnerships have entity filings with the Secretary of State; entity choice is not itself a business-license answer.
Open ↗Corporations, LLCs and limited partnerships have entity filings with the Secretary of State; entity choice is not itself a business-license answer.
California Employment Development Department
Employers: Payroll Tax Account Registration
A business with employees generally registers within 15 days after paying more than $100 in wages in a calendar quarter.
Open ↗A business with employees generally registers within 15 days after paying more than $100 in wages in a calendar quarter.
Internal Revenue Service
Employer identification numbers
The IRS issues EINs for federal tax administration; an EIN is not a local operating license.
Open ↗The IRS issues EINs for federal tax administration; an EIN is not a local operating license.