Business License Frequently Asked Questions

• What is a Business License/Tax Certificate?
  • A Business Tax Certificate is commonly referred to as a Business License. This term is a misnomer however, because it implies competence in a given field with testing for qualifications. The City of Fontana does not regulate the competence of professions for the purpose of enforcement. It is, however, the City’s approach to tracking individuals/companies doing business within the City.
    
• When is a Business License/Tax Certificate Required?
  • Any person conducting or purporting to conduct any business, profession, trade or occupation, either directly or indirectly within the City, must submit a business license application and pay a business license fee/tax, whether or not said person has a fixed place of business within the City.
    
    Any person conducting charitable solicitations of any kind must also apply for a Business License/Tax Certificate. Upon supplying the proper information required, the Business Tax and Application Fee will be waived.
    
    The Business License Tax benefits both the community and the business sector by generating revenue to support City services.
    
• What is the duration of a Business License/Tax Certificate?
  • All Business License/Tax Certificates are issued for a 12 month period and expire 1 (one) year from the date of application. Renewal notices are mailed out approximately 30 days prior to the expiration of a Business License/Tax Certificate, and must be paid on or before the due date of each year, or penalties in the amount of 20% per month up to 100% will accrue. Failure to receive a renewal notice does not relieve licensee’ of delinquency penalties — it is the responsibility of the business owner to maintain a current business license/tax certificate.
    
    Business License/Tax Certificates are not transferable, and as such, change of ownership or physical address requires a new application and the corresponding tax and/or fee.
    
• Can a business be conducted from a personal residence?
  • Business License/Tax Certificates can be issued to businesses being conducted from a residence, however, there are restrictions. If you intend to operate a business from your home, please contact the Planning Division to determine the regulations prior to commencing with any activity and applying for a Business License
    
• Is an alarm permit required?
  • If you maintain an alarm system in your business, an Alarm System Permit is required in addition to the Business License/Tax Certificate.  This permit may be obtained from the Fontana Police Department.