Business License Taxes are prorated quarterly at time of issuance, as follows:

*Business license applications processed in the 4th quarter of the calendar year (October 1 through December 31) pay taxes/ fees for the 4th quarter of the current year and for all of the following year.

**When counting employees, DO NOT count business owner(s) as employees.

Effective January 1, 2018, all cities and counties throughout California are mandated by the State to collect a $4.00 fee on every local business license application or renewal.  This fee applies to all licenses, including, but not limited to, all in-city commercial and home-based, all exempt, all non-profits, landlords, out-of-city, and all contractors.  You can view the SB1186 mandate here

Business License Taxes are due in advance.  Taxes not paid in advance are assessed a 10% penalty each month, up to 60%.

A zoning review fee is required for all new businesses with a fixed location within the City of Chula Vista.  This is a one-time fee, due at application.

Business Type	Zoning Fee
Home-based business	$25.00
Commercial address, not open for business at time of application	$100.00
Commercial address, open before application date	$200.00

Change of Classification	$12.00
Change of Location	$12.00
Doing Business As (DBA) Name Change	$5.00
Duplicate License, per copy	$5.00

The following Special Business Classifications are subject to the following tax schedule, in place of the Business License Tax shown above.

 

Business Type	Tax
Amusement Video, Weighing Machines	$30.00 per year, per machine
Billboards & Bill Posting (Advertising)	$75.00 per year, per billboard
Bingo License*	$50.00 per year
Card room, per table	Fee varies - paid quarterly
Closing Out Sale, first 60 days *	$30.00 per location
Closing Out Sale, 30 day extension (max 1 extension)*	$15.00 per location
Dances for Youth (requires adult-sponsored group payment) **	$15.00 per year, $5.00 per day
Ambulance Attendants/ Drivers	$5.00 per year, per attendant
Amps/ Other Devices for Announcing and Advertising	$10.00 per day, per vehicle
Handbill/ Sample Distribution	$25.00 per quarter, $5.00 per day
Jewelry Sold at Public Auction**	$100.00 per sale, per location
Junk & Secondhand Dealers**	$200.00 per year, per location
Manufacturer, 5 or fewer employees	$25.00 1st year, $52.50 per renewal
Manufacturer, more than 5 employees	$52.50 + $3.25 per employee, per year
Massage Parlor, Bathhouse, Art Studio	$250.00 per year
Pawnbroker**	$200.00 per year
Pool & Billiard Hall	$150.00 per year
Professional, In-City	$25.00 1st year, $105 renewal
Professional, Out-of-City	$105 per year
Promotional Event, Non-Profit (3 day max)**	$5.00 per event
Real Estate Broker	$25.00 1st year, $105 renewal
Real Estate Salesperson	$25.00 per person, per year
Special Event (Carnival, etc.)*	$250.00 per day
Taxicab Business*	$150.00 per year
Taxicab Vehicle(s)*	$25.00 per vehicle
Vending Vehicle	$200.00 per year

 

**Police Department approval required before issuance of license.

The following business classifications require a separate license, in addition to the Business License Taxes above.

 

Business Type	License Fee
Amusement Arcades	$150.00 per year
Peddler/Solicitor* (taxable property)	$25.00 per person, per year (not prorated)
Peddler/Solicitor* (no taxable property)	$75.00 per person, per year (not prorated)
Vending Machine	$15.00 per year
Dance/Dance Halls	$200.00 per year, per location

 

*Police Department approval required before issuance of license.

The Professional Business Type, as listed in the Special Business Classifications above and the Downtown Improvement District Assessment below, includes the following:

Accountant Anesthesiologist Appraiser Architect Assayer Attorney Auditor Bacteriologist Chemist Chiropractor Consultant Dentist Engineer Entomologist Esthetician Geologist Holistic Health Practitioner Hypnotherapist

Oculist Optician Optometrist Osteopath Pharmacist Physical Therapist Physician Physiotherapist Podiatrist Psychiatrist Psychologist Real Estate Broker Social Worker Stock & Bond Broker Surgeon Surveyor Taxidermist Veterinarian

Please contact a Business License Representative at (619) 585-5624 or CVLicenses@chulavistaca.gov for current tax and fee schedules.

Business owners with a business address in the Downtown Improvement District (DID) are required to pay the DID assessment.  Home-based businesses in the DID area DO NOT pay the DID assessment.

• Professionals: $100.00
• All Other Business Classifications: $50.00 + $6.00 per employee (no charge for 1st employee)
• Maximum DID Assessment: $100.00

Downtown Improvement District (DID) Addresses

Addresses subject to the Downtown Improvement District (DID) Assessment are as follows:

• 277 - 299 Alvarado Street (odd numbers only)
• 250 - 399 Center Street
• 200 - 399 Church Avenue
• 400 - 450 Church Avenue (even numbers only)
• 291 - 344 Davidson Street
• 301 - 399 Del Mar Avenue (odd numbers only)
• 260 - 350 E Street (even numbers only)
• 265 - 399 F Street
• 301 - 349 Fourth Avenue (odd numbers only)
• 251 - 299 G Street (odd numbers only)
• 280 - 298 G Street (even numbers only)
• 300 - 309 G Street
• 201 - 299 Garrett Avenue (odd numbers only)
• 300 - 349 Garrett Avenue
• 303 H Street (Gateway)
• 333 H Street (Gateway)
• 200 - 399 Landis Avenue
• 250 - 399 Madrona Street
• 300 - 314 Park Way
• 200 - 499 Third Avenue

 

View a map of the Downtown Improvement District (DID)

Downtown Improvement District (DID) Penalty

Delinquent DID Assessments are subject to a penalty of 10% of the Assessment plus 1.5% per month until the assessment is paid in full.

Your business may be subject to Fire Code Inspection Operational Permit Fees.  If applicable, these fees are due upon business license application and annual renewal.  Please contact the Fire Prevention Division for current fees applicable to your business at (619) 691-5055.