Why business registration?
The purpose of Business Registration is to ensure that a business establishment is operating in the correct zoning district and in accordance with applicable Municipal Codes. It is also used in conjunction with the issuance of building occupancy certificates and to help ensure that all contractors doing business in the City are State licensed. Please click on the following link to download the Business Registration Form.
The business registration process also helps the City to better understand our business community. The information obtained from business registrations will help make the city's planning, fire, public safety, and security assistance activities more responsive to your needs.
The Agoura Hills Municipal Code requires all individuals, partnerships, and corporations conducting or operating a business within the City to register annually with the City, regardless of whether such business is a fixed location within the City. In addition to a Business Registration, certain businesses are required to obtain a Business License from Los Angeles County. These include businesses which are regulated by the fire, Health, and Sheriff Departments.
The annual business registration fee is $65.00 and covers the costs associated with processing and administering the program. Business Registrations are required to be renewed every January. To conduct a business without a registration is a misdemeanor.
Registration Form
Click here for instructions on registering.
What every business owner should know...
Things to be done:
- City of Agoura Hills Business Registration
- Los Angeles County Business License
- State Board of Equalization - Sales Tax (Seller's) Permit
- Fictitious Business Name Filing (DBA)
- Federal Employer Identification Number
- Unemployment Insurance
- Certificate of Occupancy - through the City's Department of Building and Safety
- Sign Permit - through the City's Department of Planning and Community Development
Addresses and phone numbers to help expedite your business needs:
Business License
The Agoura Hills Business Registration DOES NOT take the place of a Los Angeles County Business License.
225 N. Hill Street, Room 109
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 974-2011, (213) 974-2555
Federal - Relative to import/export
U.S. Department of Commerce
Bureau of Export Administration
Western Regional Office
3300 Irvine Ave., Suite 345
Newport Beach, CA 92660-3198
State
The State of California issues licenses & certificates to businesses (or operators of businesses) in certain categories, & regulates professional and vocational standards.
State Licensing/Consumer Information (Operator for referral to the proper regulatory agency) (800) 321-2752
Secretary of State (Incorporation procedures and information) (213) 897-3062
State Department of Social Services Community Care Licensing (313) 337-4333
Contractor's State License Board
Van Nuys Office (818) 908-5168
Ventura Office (805) 654-4515
State Department of Consumer Affairs (State licensing for specific types of businesses) (916) 445-0660
State Bureau of Home Furnishings
3485 Orange Grove Ave.
North Highlands, CA 95660-5595
(916) 574-2040
Fictitious Business Name
Doing Business As (DBA) - Business owners wishing to use a fictitious name (other than his/her own full family name) for the business, must clear the name through the Los Angeles County Clerk to ensure that no one else is using it. Once cleared, the owner is required to print it in a newspaper of a specified circulation, in the area in which the business will be operated. (DBA renewal every 5 years)
Los Angeles County Clerk
12400 E. Imperial Hwy. Rm. 1007
Norwalk, CA
(562) 462-2177
The local newspaper will provide the filing service for you. The filing fee will be the same plus the cost of the four (4) publications of the business Fictitious Name
The Acorn Newspaper
30423 Canwood St., Suite 108
Agoura Hills, CA 91301
(818) 706-0266
Taxes
Federal:
All businesses are subject to taxation by the Federal Government. Employers having one or more employees should apply for an Employer Identification Number.
Federal Internal Revenue Service
6230 Van Nuys Blvd.
Van Nuys, CA 91408
(800) 829-1040 Federal Tax
(800) 829-4477 TeleTax
(800) 829-3676 Tax Forms
State:
Seller's permit--Those who sell tangible property must obtain a Seller's Permit with a tax number from the State
Use Tax--A Use Tax may be charged, if a business buys equipment from a firm outside of California.
State Board of Equalization
15350 Sherman Way, Suite 250
Van Nuys, CA 91406
(818) 904-2300
Unemployment insurance, state disability insurance, and state income tax withholding. Any employer having one or more employees and paying more than $100 per quarter in wages is subject to the State Unemployment Insurance Code.
Employment Development Dept.
6150 Van Nuys Blvd., Room 210
Van Nuys, CA 91401-3384
(888) 745-3886
Insurance
Employers must provide workers' compensation coverage to their employees.
State Compensation Insurance Fund
2901 North Ventura Road
Oxnard, CA 93030
Policy (805) 988-5200
Claims (805) 988-5300
Register your business
Complete the Registration Form by clicking the link or pick up a copy at City Hall.
Mail or bring the required $65 to:
City of Agoura Hills
Attn: Business Registration Administrator
30001 Ladyface Court
Agoura Hills, CA 91301
After your business registration has been processed, you will be issued a Certificate of Business Registration. Registration is good for (1) year January 1 through December 31.