Business Licenses

Business License Program

The City of Dos Palos requires a business license for any person, partnership, corporation, and other entities engaged in business within the city limits. This includes contractors and their sub-contractors engaged in projects within the city limits. It is the responsibility of contractors to ensure their subcontractors obtain business licenses. Businesses, including home-based and online businesses, risk citations, fines, or penalties for operating without a business license.

The City's business license is a tax certificate and license as defined by the City's Municipal Code Chapter 5.04. The business license is non-regulatory and it does not exempt businesses from obtaining further licensure and permits as required by local, county, state, and/or federal law.

Applications may be submitted in person at City Hall, emailed to [email protected] or mailed in to:

City of Dos Palos

Business License Program

2174 Blossom St.

Dos Palos, CA 93620

For new business licenses, including Home Occupation Permits, please expect up to 10 business days for processing--depending on the volume of applications received.

New business license applications that require a Site Plan Review (SPR) will require a site visit by a City Staff. Contact staff to discuss your proposed business to determine if a Site Plan Review permit is required prior to obtaining your business license. Most licenses won't require a Site Plan Review if you're attempting to obtain a building permit.

Please note if there is a change in ownership (i.e., change in EIN or SSN), the existing business license must be closed and then the new owner must submit a new application.

Businesses involving any type of massage, solicitation/peddling, and secondhand dealers, must contact the Police Department for a permit in addition to the business license. Please note that the business license will not be issued until the permit has been approved.

Thank you for doing business within the City of Dos Palos!

Community Development

(209) 392-2174

[email protected]

State Regulations and Resources

State Notices (NEW)

AB 783 Single-User Restrooms

Start Date: January 1, 2024

Legislation: AB 783 (www.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov )

Under Business and Professions Code section 16000.2, you are hereby notified that Section 118600 of the Health and Safety Code requires you to identify all single-user toilet facilities in your business as all-gender toilet facilities on compliant signage.

Details are available in Section 118600 at:
https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=HSC§ionNum=118600

SB 748 Disability Access and Information

Start Date: January 1, 2024

Legislation: SB 748 (www.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov )

This bill requires a city, county, or city and county, in a separate document formatted as specified, to provide to that applicant a statement that the business may be subject to liability for failure to meet the legal obligation to comply with state and federal disability access laws, and information on how to obtain a CASp inspection, as specified.

Click here to download the required document.

Starting a Business in Dos Palos

Business License Required

All businesses that operate within the City of Dos Palos are required to obtain a business license, per Municipal Code Chapter 5.04. Businesses can apply in person, via mail, or email. Please note that you will not have to pay until the license application is approved.

Home-Based Businesses Within the City Limits

If you operate a business from your home (home office, online retail, etc.) and do not operate a brick-and-mortar location in a non-residential zone, you must comply with City ordinances and policies. Home-based businesses must be clearly incidental and accessory to the use of the residence as a home. Operators of home-based businesses must fill out a Home Occupation Permit Application along with their Business License Application online. The City charges a Home Occupation Permit fee in addition to the business license tax and must be submitted once the application is approved. Please note that if you are a home business based outside the City of Dos Palos, the Home Occupation fee does not apply.

Locating Your Business -- City of Dos Palos

Before you sign a lease, purchase a commercial building, or begin operating a business from your home, please contact the Planning Division of the Community Development Department to make sure that your business is a permitted use for that property. To talk to a planner about the zoning regulations of your planned business site, please call (209) 392-2174 or email [email protected]. They’ll explain where you can locate your type of business and what special requirements, including Conditional Use Permits, that may apply. The Community Development Department Staff is also available for in-person assistance.

Obtaining a Seller's Permit -- State of California

You must obtain a seller's permit if you:

Are engaged in business in California

Intend to sell or lease tangible personal property that would ordinarily be subject to sales tax if sold at retail

Will make sales for a temporary period, normally lasting no longer than 30 days at one or more locations (e.g. fireworks booth, Christmas tree lots, garage sale).

Both wholesalers and retailers must apply for a seller's permit. For more information, please contact the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA) at their local office by calling (559) 440-5330. The nearest local office is located at 8050 N. Palm Ave., Suite 205.

Federal and State Identification Numbers (i.e. EIN/State Employer ID)

If you employ workers in your business, you must have a State Identification Number and a Federal Employer Identification Number to report employee taxes. For more information, contact the California Employment Development Department (EDD) at 1.888.745.3886. The nearest local office to obtain forms is located at 1050 O St., Fresno, CA 93721. For a full-service California Taxpayer Service Center, the nearest office is located at 3321 Power Inn Rd, Suite 220, Sacramento, CA 95826.

To obtain a Federal EIN, apply online at the Internal Revenue Service website or call 1.800.829.3676 for more information.

Employment Development Department

If your business employs staff, please visit the Employment Development Department for registering as an employer and payroll tax reporting, and other information and resources.

Fictitious Business Name

If you plan to use a fictitious business name (a name different from your own), you must apply with Merced County to make sure that no one else is using that name. Banks often require this document when establishing a business account--verify with your bank if this is required. You can apply online by visiting their website. For more information, contact the Merced County Clerk Recorder's Office at (209) 385-7627, or visit 2222 M St., Merced, CA 95340

Health Permit -- Merced County

If your business involves food, such as a restaurant, prepping/heating, catering, food truck, etc., you must apply for a Health Permit from Merced County Environmental Health Division. For more information, visit their website or call (209) 381-1100 --they are located at 2222 M St., Merced, CA 95340

Secretary of State, Business Programs -- State of California

The State offers resources and support for businesses, including corporate formation. To file online (i.e. LLC), please visit their website for more information.

Additional Resources

Click here to visit the State's Business Resources Webpage. Here you'll find additional information and resources to starting and maintaining a business.