This information is provided as a public service to assist those persons interested in establishing and conducting a business in the City of La Mirada. Any errors or omissions herein will not relieve the business owner of his/her responsibility, obligations or liability in fulfilling all legal requirements.

Any sole proprietor, partnership, corporation or limited liability wanting to conduct any business within the City of La Mirada must secure a business license. City law states that no person shall engage in business or transact and carry on a business, trade, profession, calling or occupation in the city without first having procured a license from the City to do so, or without complying with any and all applicable provisions of Title 5 of the Municipal Code relating to business license. A separate license is required for each branch or location of business.

To begin, read application thoroughly and complete in full including business name, specific business location, business mailing address, business description, starting date at this location, etc. Is this a new business? Change of ownership? Business or address change? Include your signature; print your name next to the signature. Is your business owned by a partnership, limited liability, corporation or solely by you? Whichever the case may be, the name and home addresses of the owners or officers of the corporation also are required. Attach separate page if necessary.

The following information also must be included prior to acceptance of the application:

State Board of Equalization Sales Tax Number/Resale Number (if applicable)

Driver’s License Number

Social Security Number or Federal and State Employer Tax I.D. Number

State Contractors License Number (all Contractors)

Business License fees for all businesses, except warehouses are based on gross receipts or estimated gross receipts for new businesses. Warehouse fees are based on the square footage of the warehouse. See formula for calculating business license fees on your application.

Any business which operates without first obtaining a Business License is subject to penalties which are compounded monthly. In addition, anyone failing to pay a renewal shall pay a penalty for each month delinquent.

Where do I get the Business License Application?

To request an application, contact the Business License Division located in the Finance Department to discuss the details of your particular business operation and to determine the business classification.

Finance Department – Business License Division
(562) 943-0131, ext. 2331
13700 La Mirada Blvd.
La Mirada, CA 90638

City Hall hours:
Monday -Thursday 7:30am-5:30pm,
Friday 7:30am-4:30pm (closed alternate Fridays)

Although a Business License is needed for all businesses that operate in La Mirada, some types of businesses will require special authorization prior to issuance of the Business License.

Before you select a location for your business, make sure the location has the correct zoning. Zoning information may be obtained from the Planning Department, who will be able to tell you what the zoning requirements are for your particular business.

Planning Department
13700 La Mirada Blvd.
La Mirada, CA 90638
(562) 943-0131, ext. 2957

For businesses operated from a home, both a City business license and a Home Occupation Permit are required. Submit the permit form with the Business License application and fee. The Planning Department and Code Enforcement approval are required before a license can be issued.

An occupancy permit is required for all buildings before a business can occupy the premises. This permit requires a $90 permit and building, fire and planning departments.

Within 30 days of your Business License expiration date a renewal will automatically be sent to you. If you do not receive the notice, please contact the Business License Office. Failure to receive notice does not relieve the business’s owner of the responsibility of renewing the license.

To process a change of address, request an application form for an occupancy permit from the business License Office to file an address correction. A fee is charged.

The display of advertising flags and banners must follow City ordinance and therefore require a permit. If you plan to install a new sign or make changes in an already existing sign, please contact the City’s Planning Department.

A business license shall be posted in a conspicuous place on the premises. For those not having a fixed business address within the City, the License must be carried on the person and presented upon request.

A business license is not transferable and will be terminated upon business ownership change. Advise the Business License Office if you relocate or terminate your business for any reason.

If your business requires a seller’s permit (retail sales tax number), apply at the State Board of Equalization in person at the local district office. You may wish to contact them by telephone first to determine if your business requires such a permit, or to apply by mail.

Contact the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms if you intend to engage in the sale of ammunition or firearms. Attach all necessary permits to the application. In addition, there will be a Sheriff’s background check which includes an investigation fee. A Business selling firearms is not allowed to operate from the home.

Contact the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for a Federal Employer Identification Number. The IRS will provide a Businessman’s Kit, seminar for new businesses, additional information and forms.

Contact the State Employment Development Department to obtain a State Employer Identification Number if you have employees and withhold state income tax, disability, and unemployment insurance.

Contact your insurance agent for information concerning your insurance requirement, such as liability and worker’s compensation for your particular kind of business.

Contact the Alcohol Beverage Control Board if you plan to serve alcoholic beverages.

Attach a copy of your health permit if your business intends to sell and/or prepare food of any type. You may obtain this from the Los Angeles County Health Department.

State law requires that if you plan to operate your business with a name other than your own legal name (or the legal name of the corporation), you must file a fictitious business name statement with the County Registrar’s office.

The fictitious name statement will be necessary to open bank accounts, receive credit from vendors, and enter into lease arrangements. Corporate names must be checked with the Secretary of State for California in Sacramento.

The first time filing fee for the Fictitious Business Name Statement is $23.00 for one business name and up to two registrants. The renewal filing fee for the Fictitious Business Name is $18.00 for one business name and up to two registrants. There is an additional fee of $4.00 for both first time filing and renewal filing for each additional name and/or registrant.

After filing, a copy of the statement must appear for four weeks in a newspaper of general circulation within the community in which you will do business. It is necessary to receive proof of publication from the newspaper.

After proof of publication has been sent to the County Registrar’s office by the publisher, you will receive the certified copy of the filing from the County.

To file a Fictitious Business Name (DBA) contact:

Los Angeles County Registrar
12400 E. Imperial Hwy., #512
Norwalk, CA 90650
(562) 462-2177

The City may forward applications for the following businesses to the Sheriff’s Department for approval:

Adult Book Store
Alcoholic Beverage Location
Amusement Devices/Arcades/Entertainment
Automobile Repair Shops
Carnivals/Circuses/Side shows/Rodeos
Dating or Escort Services
Locksmiths
Massage Parlors/Technicians
Palm Readers/Fortune-tellers
Pawn Shops/Second Hand Dealers
Security & Guard Companies
Street Vendors/Sound Trucks
Taxi Drivers/Taxi Company’s
Tow Trucks/Private Property Impounds
Weapons-related businesses

Some of the above businesses require County, State or Federal Permits. Please attach copies of these permits to your application

CITY OF LA MIRADA
(562) 943-0131
13700 La Mirada Blvd.
La Mirada, CA 90638
info@cityoflamirada.org

Building & Safety Dept.
(562) 943-0131 x2045

•     Inspection Requests

•     Construction & Remodeling

Business License Division
(562) 943-0131 x2331

•     New Businesses

•     Transfer of Ownership

•     Change of Address

•     Close business

Economic Development Department
(562) 943-0131 x2957

•     Site Selection

•     General Business Assistance

La Mirada Community Sheriff's Station
(562) 902-2960
13716 La Mirada Blvd.
La Mirada, CA 90638

•     Home Occupation Inspections

•     Public Safety Concerns

•     Business Watch

Planning Department
(562) 943-0131 x2957

•     Signage Regulations

•     Zoning

•     Conditional Use Permit (CUP)

Recycling/Waste Management
(562) 943-0131 x2391

•     Business Recycling Program

La Mirada Chamber of Commerce
(562) 902-1970
11900 La Mirada Boulevard
La Mirada, CA 90638

• Community Information

• Business Assistance and Resource Information

Utilities and Services:

Consolidated Disposal Service
(562) 946-6441

Southern California Edison
(800) 655-4555

The Gas Company
(800) 427-2200

Verizon Telephone
(800) 483-6000

Pacific Bell Telephone
(800) 491-2355

AT&T Cable
(888) 255-5789

Southern California Water
(909) 599-1289

Suburban Water
(562) 944-8219

County Registrar’s Office
(562) 462-2177
12400 E. Imperial Hwy., Room 512
Norwalk, CA 90650

• Fictitious Business Name (DBA)

County Health Department
(562) 345-6800
12440 Imperial Hwy, Norwalk CA 90650

• Health Permit (Required for Food Service)

County Sheriff’s Department
(562) 946-7051
License Unit, 11515 S. Colima Rd.
Whittier, CA 90604

• Investigation

County Sheriff’s Department
(562) 863-8711
12335 Civic Center Drive
Norwalk, CA 90650

• Non-Emergencies Information

Alcohol Beverage Control (ABC)
(562) 982-1337
3950 Paramount Blvd., Suite 250
Lakewood, CA 90712

• Alcohol Beverage License

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms Control
(213) 894-4815
350 S. Figueroa Street, Suite 714
Los Angeles, CA 90071

• Permit to Sell Firearms

• Permit to Import Alcohol

• Permit to Wholesale Alcohol

Board of Equalization
(562) 466-1694
12440 E. Imperial Hwy., Suite 201
Norwalk, CA 90650

• Resale/Sellers Permits

Bureau of Collection & Investigative Services
(916) 322-7788
1920 20^th Street
Sacramento, CA 95814

• Locksmith Permit

• Security Guard Permit

• Permit to Carry Firearms

Contractors License Board
(562) 345-7656
12501 Imperial Hwy. #600
Norwalk, CA 90650

• Check Contractors License

Employment Development Department
(562) 923-1237
8280 Florence Ave.
Downey, CA 90241

• State Withholding Taxes

• State Disability

• Unemployment Insurance

Franchise Tax Board
(800) 852-5711
245 W. Broadway, Suite 115
Long Beach, CA 90806

• State Withholding Taxes

• Corporation State Taxes

Secretary of State
(916) 445-0620
1230 J Street
Sacramento, CA 95814

• Articles Of Incorporation

Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
(800) 829-1040
501 W. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach, CA 90806

• Employer Federal Tax I.D. Number

• Federal Tax Withholding Information

• Small Business Workshop

Small Business Administration
(818) 552-3297
330 N. Brand Blvd.
Glendale, CA 91203

• Loan Assistance

• Business Management

• Disaster Assistance
  (800) 488-5323

Social Security Administration Office
(800) 722-1213
7200 Greenleaf #200
Whittier, CA 90605

• Social Security Tax Information