Business License & Tax
The Business License and Tax team administers business applications and accounts for all business operating in the City of Burbank, as well as issues garage sale permits for residents. We encourage customers to use our online services whenever possible.
All businesses located in Burbank, as well as businesses that come into Burbank to conduct business, are required to apply to the City of Burbank. Our offices are located in the Community Services Building at 150 North Third Street, Burbank, CA 91502.
To file a new business physically located in Burbank or change the location of an existing Burbank business, please visit our office Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.
For new out-of-town businesses and existing businesses, our counters are open Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. to assist you with filing a new business application and for payment drop off.
For questions, please email [email protected] or contact the office at (818) 238-5280.
A Home Occupation Permit is a special type of permit and Business Tax Account that allows residents to have an office type business in their home. Home Occupations may have employees, but employees may NOT physically report to or work out of the Home Occupation. See neighborhood compatibility rules (PDF).
Contractors not based in Burbank but working on a construction project in Burbank pay Business Tax per job with issuance of the Building Permit. Download this application and return to the Building Permit counter via email to [email protected] or by mail to P.O. Box 6459, Burbank, CA 91510-6459
Do you need to CLOSE your Business Tax or Business License account? If your business no longer has a Burbank address and/or you are no longer doing business in Burbank, you may use our online request form to close your account. After you submit the form, you will receive a confirmation email or further instructions.
March 2024
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Senate Bill No. 205 (PDF) (Hertzberg) passed October 2, 2019, requires businesses in certain industries to enroll with the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program by providing specified information, under penalty of perjury, to the City. The bill requires the City to obtain this information prior to approving a new Business Tax or Business License application or renewing an existing Business Tax account or Business License. Upon request, the City transmits this information to the State Water Resources Control Board.
Business affected by this requirement need to complete a special compliance application (PDF) and return it to Building & Safety Division.
Affected businesses should contact the State Water Board at [email protected] or 1-866-563-3107 for information on what type of permit is required and how to apply. If a permit is required, the first step is to sign up for a SMARTS user account with the Water Board at https://smarts.waterboards.ca.gov/smarts/faces/SwSmartsLogin.xhtml
To help business owners comply with this new requirement, here are links to the regulations:
- How to Find a business's SIC Code (PDF)
- Attachment A (PDF) published by the State Water Resources Control Board.
- A complete list of SIC codes and descriptions can be found on the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s website.
- NAICS (North American Industrial Classification System) Association Website
The City of Burbank City Council adopted an Ordinance on March 30, 3021, to limit delivery fees and non-delivery related service fees that a third-party delivery platform may charge restaurants. The Ordinance went into effect April 30, 2021.
The Ordinance (PDF) authorized restaurants and delivery drivers to take private legal action against the companies for violation of the Ordinance. The Ordinance applied to all third-party food delivery businesses and platforms. The Ordinance was temporary and scheduled to 90 days after the County’s Health Officer Orders and the State Orders allowed indoor and outdoor dining at 100% capacity, unless it had been terminated sooner or extended by the City Council. The County’s’ Health Officer Orders and the State Orders allowed indoor and outdoor dining at 100 % capacity effective June 15, 2021. The Ordinance sunsetted on September 13, 2021.
Building & Safety Division
Commmunity Services Building, First Floor
150 N. Third Street
Burbank, CA 91502
P.O. Box 6459
Burbank, CA 91510-6459