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The City of San Ramon is known for an environment that makes living, working, and doing business a pleasure. This positive image is the result of high development standards, and commitment to create a pleasant, safe, and attractive surrounding for all residents, businesses, and property owners. The City's regulations and reviews ensure that those standards are applied to everyone equally in an effort to promote community harmony, health and safety, while at the same time recognizing those qualities that make each business unique.

 

UPDATE as of 11/06/23: please note due to an influx of business license applications and renewals. Processing times are taking 21-30 Business Days for renewals and new applications.

Get Business License updates

 

DOING BUSINESS IN SAN RAMON

To apply for a brand-new business license through the City of San Ramon's online portal, please create an account at the below link. 

CLICK HERE TO: APPLY ONLINE!

Please note if you are applying for a home-based business, you will need to apply for a Home Occupation Permit through the online portal.
Click here to apply: 
apply online.

OBTAINING A BUSINESS LICENSE

A business license is required for doing business in the City of San Ramon. Generally all persons conducting business in the City of San Ramon must first obtain a license unless the type of business is specifically exempted by ordinance. Licenses must be obtained upon starting business in the City and must be renewed annually. Assuming all other necessary approvals have been obtained, businesses may begin operation immediately after submitting their completed license application. The license, which must be posted at the place of business, will be mailed to the applicant within 30 business days. 

If you are listing your San Ramon residence as your physical business address, you are  required to fill out a Home Occupation Permit, in addition to a City of San Ramon Business License. Both the Home Occupation Permit, and the City of San Ramon Business License shall be submitted together. Please note the additional $100 one-time fee for the Home Occupation Permit. 

>>Click here for information on Home Occupation Permits


SUBMITTING A BUSINESS LICENSE

*Please note that the current turnaround time for all new Business Licenses and Change of Address/Information applications is approximately 10 - 14  business days (not including weekends or holidays). **Change of information cannot be completed through the online portal, and must be submitted via a Change of Information Form (link above).

 

Downloads available in PDF format:

EMAIL:

To submit a Business License application form electronically, please email your completed application(s) to: [email protected]
Please include credit card payment on the 3rd page of the business license if you wish to submit electronically.

MAIL:

To submit your Business license application by mail, please send your application and accompanying payment to:

Business License Division
7000 Bollinger Canyon Rd. 
San Ramon, CA 94583

COTTAGE FOOD PERMIT

If you are proposing to open a Cottage Food Operation within a residential address applicants shall apply for their Business License and Home Occupation Permits using Paper Applications. These applications are required to be date-stamped as "received" and brought to the Contra Costa County Health Department. Only after Contra Costa County approves a Cottage Food Permit Application, will City Staff then process the Business License and Home Occupation Permit. For more information regarding this process please email [email protected], or call (925)973-2510.

 

RENEWING A BUSINESS LICENSE

You may request to pay your renewal fee online by first creating an account by clicking on the APPLY ONLINE  link above and then emailing us at [email protected] . Please provide us with the email address used to create your account, your business license number, as well as the number of employees that will be working in San Ramon. Going forward, you will be able to request renewals through your online account.

To renew your existing license, log into your CSS account associated with your linked email address and navigate to the main dashboard. Once on the dashboard, at the bottom of the page you will find the “my licenses” section. There you will see your linked license information. When you hover your cursor over the license tile, a RENEW button will appear. Please select that button and follow the steps for renewal.

To obtain a paper renewal form for your business, please email: [email protected]

CHANGES TO A BUSINESS LICENSE

To make changes to your business license, or update your information, please submit a change of information form to [email protected] , or you can mail in your change of information form to:

7000 Bollinger Canyon Rd.
San Ramon, CA 94583

**Change of ownership requires proof of new ownership

**If you will be purchasing a business or selling a business to another person, the new owner will need to submit a brand new City of San Ramon Business License along with a Bill-of-Sale showing the exchange of ownership. 

CHILDCARE SERVICE

In accordance with California State Law, effective as of January 1, 2020, Senate Bill 234 (SB 234) "Keeping Kids Close to Home Act", does not require Family Day Care Homes of any size to be subject to local jurisdiction requirements for Zoning Permits, discretionary Use Permits, or Business Licenses.

On September 19, 2012 Governor Brown signed into law SB-1186 which adds a State fee on any applicant for a local business license or similar instrument or permit, or renewal thereof. The purpose is to increase disability access and compliance with construction-related accessibility requirements and to develop educational resources for businesses in order to facilitate compliance with Federal and State disability laws, as specified. SB 1186 FEE ADDED TO TOTAL FEES. Effective January 1, 2018 through December 31, 2023, the fee is $4.

A business license is not the only requirement. Read the following information to ensure that your business complies with the proper permits and procedures which have made the City of San Ramon an attractive and prosperous place to do business. Please contact our Business License section at (925) 973-2510 if you need assistance.

ACCESSIBILITY COMPLIANCE DOCUMENTS

Compliance with Disability Access Laws:

Get Adobe Acrobat ReaderYou will need the Adobe Acrobat Reader to view and print PDF files. Click here to get the Reader. If you are unable to access these documents online, please contact us via e-mail at [email protected] or by telephone at (925) 973-2510.