Online store licenses
in Los Angeles, California
Start with the main licenses and permits below. For a checklist based on your own business, tell us what you’re opening and how it will operate.
Researched Sep 2026
About this example
A home-based, owner-operated online store selling tangible goods within the City of Los Angeles, California. It has no employees or commercial storefront and does not prepare food or sell alcohol. The legal structure, exact products, sales platforms, stock storage, and address-specific zoning are not yet known.
Requirement labels below refer to this setup. Conditional items depend on additional details.
Authorities researched
- Federal
- Federal Government
- State
- California
- County
- Los Angeles County
Details to confirm before you apply
- What legal structure and tax election will the owner use, and where was any entity formed?
- Will every retail sale go through registered marketplace facilitators, or will the store also sell directly through its own website or other channels?
- What products will be sold, are they new or used, and will any goods be imported or regulated?
- What is the exact address and applicable zoning code, where will stock be stored, and how many deliveries or pickups will occur?
- What are worldwide gross receipts for the city tax filing year?
- Has the County Assessor requested a property statement, and what is the aggregate cost of taxable equipment and supplies?
- If secondhand licensing applies, which city class and current city/state fees does the licensing agency confirm?
- Will the business establish sales-tax nexus or other registration duties outside California?
The main licenses and permits
6 of 12- 01Business Tax Registration Certificate (BTRC)City of Los Angeles Office of Finance · Los Angeles
All individuals or entities conducting business within the City of Los Angeles must register, including a home-based online store selling tangible goods.
RequiredAnnual business-tax renewal. - 02Home occupation zoning complianceLos Angeles City Planning / Department of Building and Safety · Los Angeles
The business operates from a home. It must satisfy the zoning rules for that address; online selling does not automatically authorize residential retail, storage, or fulfillment.
RequiredOngoing compliance; review changes in use, storage, deliveries, or customer visits. - 03Los Angeles secondhand dealer police permitLos Angeles Board of Police Commissioners / LAPD Commission Investigation Division · Los Angeles
Applies if the store buys, sells, or otherwise deals in secondhand, rebuilt, or reconditioned merchandise covered by the city code. Product type and whether goods are new or used are unknown.
ConditionalAnnual city police permit renewal; confirm current class and charges. - 04California secondhand dealer license and transaction reportingCalifornia Department of Justice, through the local licensing agency · California
Applies if the business deals in secondhand tangible personal property covered by BPC 21626 and 21627, subject to statutory exclusions. Exact merchandise and acquisition methods are unknown.
ConditionalConfirm the state license renewal term and current charges with the administering agency. - 05Seller's permit (sales and use tax)California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA) · California
Required when selling merchandise ordinarily subject to sales tax directly from California, or otherwise outside the marketplace exemption. If every retail sale is facilitated by a registered marketplace facilitator, CDTFA describes an exemption from seller registration.
ConditionalNo routine permit renewal; returns are due on the filing schedule assigned by CDTFA. - 06Business entity registration (Articles of Organization for LLC)California Secretary of State (SOS) · California
required if the owner chooses an LLC; not required for a sole proprietorship.
ConditionalOne-time formation; the LLC Statement of Information is a separate recurring filing.
This example includes 6 other potential requirements. A report based on your business explains which apply, how to file, published fees and timing, and what to complete first.
Make the checklist yours
Your location, activities, and business structure can change the list. Get a free preview for your business, then decide whether to unlock the full report for $49.
Not required for this example
- Los Angeles County general business license — The county’s business-license program covers unincorporated areas and specified contract cities, not the City of Los Angeles. This guide is for a location within Los Angeles city limits.
Questions people ask
What city business licenses or registrations should an online store in Los Angeles check?
Our research identifies Business Tax Registration Certificate (BTRC), issued by City of Los Angeles Office of Finance, as required. All individuals or entities conducting business within the City of Los Angeles must register, including a home-based online store selling tangible goods. Check the other city permits in this guide and confirm the requirements for your premises and activities.
How much do licenses and permits cost for an online store in Los Angeles?
Most fees vary by item; see report. Several items have fees that depend on your entity type, square footage, or payroll, so the full report lists each fee as the agency publishes it.
What should I do first?
Review Home occupation zoning compliance (Los Angeles City Planning / Department of Building and Safety), then Business entity registration (Articles of Organization for LLC) (if applicable) (California Secretary of State (SOS)), then Employer Identification Number (EIN) (if applicable) (Internal Revenue Service (IRS)). Confirm each item's applicability and prerequisites before applying; the report provides a suggested order for the full checklist.
Is this legal advice?
No. It is a research summary of public requirements published by government agencies, each linked to its official page. Confirm with the issuing agency before filing.
Related guides
Researched from official government sources on September 5, 2026 for a typical online store. Requirements change and depend on your facts; this page is not legal advice. Confirm with the issuing agency before filing.