Archives: FAQs

My business entity (corporation, LLC, partnership, LP, etc.) is dormant/passive and it is just paying a minimum tax to the Secretary of State. Is it required to get a business license?

Yes. If your business is registered as “active” with the Secretary of State and is reporting on a business return to the FTB and IRS, it will need a business license. Maintaining a business entity within the City, whether it is transacting public business or not, is considered operating a business under the municipal code … Continued

I am an independent operator performing services in association with a licensed Santa Ana business, or nonprofit organization or government agency. Do I have to get a separate business license?

Yes, engaging in business in association with, or performing services for, or in the name of a licensed Santa Ana business or nonprofit organization, or government agency does not relive separate business entities, independent contractors, consultants or other self-employed individuals from the requirement to obtain a City of Santa Ana Business License.

I do part-time consulting/independent contractor work from my home. Do I have to get a business license?

Yes, businesses both large and small are required to obtain a Santa Ana Business License to be in compliance with the Santa Ana Municipal Code. If the consulting work or other independent contractor work is done from a location within the City limits, such as your residence, you are required to obtain a City of … Continued

Am I doing “business”? What does Santa Ana consider a “business” and why may the city think I am operating one?

Santa Ana Municipal Code Section 21-3 defines business as including “all activities engaged in or caused to be engaged in within the city, including any commercial or industrial enterprise, trade, profession, occupation, vocation, calling, or livelihood, including rental of residential or commercial real estate, and every other kind of activity whether or not carried on … Continued

I received a 1099 form instead of a W-2 from my work. Am I required to have a business license?

Yes, individuals that work as an independent contractor and are reported on a 1099 Form instead of a W-2 need to have a City of Santa Ana Business License.

May I register to do business from a post office box or private postal mailbox (PBM) located within the city of Santa Ana?

A post office box or private postal mailbox (PMB) address may be used as the mailing address of record for receiving information regarding a Santa Ana business license; however, a post office box or PMB address does not constitute a business location for business licensing purposes. A post office box or PMB address cannot be … Continued

Do I need a business license if I operate a commercial or home-based nonprofit business, organization, or institution?

If you operate a commercial or home-based nonprofit business, organization, or institution, you are required to secure a “Non-Profit” business license. Information supporting qualification of your business as a “non-profit” must be furnished. No business license fee (other than an administrative application processing charge) shall be applied with respect to any bona fide nonprofit business.

Do I need a business license if I operate a commercial or home-based business specifically exempted by state or federal law?

No business license or other administrative fee is required for the operation of a commercial or home-based business specifically exempted by State or Federal Law. Supporting qualifying information of your business as specifically exempted must be furnished. A “Fee-Exempt” business license shall be issued to qualifying exempted businesses.

Do I need a business license if I rent a single family residence or other undivided single residential premise(s) to one or more family members?

No business license or other administrative fee is required for the rental of a single-family residence or other undivided single residential rental premises as between an owner (or leaseholder) and any immediate relative related by blood, adoption or marriage where the rents received do not exceed the cost of maintaining legal ownership of the premises. … Continued

Do I need a business license if I become a landlord receiving rents from the rental, leasing, subleasing or subletting of commercial or residential property located in the city of Santa Ana?

If you become a landlord and rent, lease, sublease or sublet commercial or residential property within the City, you are required to secure a separate business license for each individual rental property.