hero image

Breadcrumb

Business License & Tax

Business License and Tax

For information about garage sales, click here.

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. For detailed information on the business application process and requirements, please download our guide: HOW TO REGISTER A BUSINESS. Our offices are located in the Community Services Building at 150 North Third Street, Burbank, CA 91502.

Counter walk-in services available:
     Monday - Thursday       8:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
     Friday                             8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
     Closed for Lunch           12:00 noon - 1:00 p.m.        
Please note: Last tickets are issued 15 minutes prior to lunch break and closing.

To file a new business physically located in Burbank or change the location of an existing Burbank business, please visit the Planning counter first, which is also located in the Community Service Building.

For questions, please email ;[email protected] or contact the office at (818) 238-5280.

Planning to open or operate your business in our city and need assistance? The Economic Development Division provides one-on-one Business Concierge Services and helps with finding a location, verifying zoning, obtaining permits, and additional assistance through the entitlement process. Please reach out to them directly at (818) 238-5180 or [email protected] for assistance. For more information, visit the Business Services webpage.

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.

Parking Operators are required to collect Transient Parking Tax. Please contact Revenue - Financial Services Department at [email protected] or (818) 238-5500 for more information. 

Register your business in Burbank.

Certain businesses need a regulatory Business License.

Use the Burbank Online Portal to apply. To cancel a garage sale permit, please submit a Declaration of Non-Use Affidavit.
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.

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: 

The City of Burbank City Council adopted an Ordinance on March 30, 2021, 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.

Location, hours & contact info
Location
Building & Safety Division
Commmunity Services Building, First Floor
150 N. Third Street
Burbank, CA 91502
Mailing Address
P.O. Box 6459
Burbank, CA 91510-6459
 
Contacts
Phone:
(818) 238-5280
Email:
[email protected]
SEE full building & safety division directory