Business License

The Municipal Code requires that any person who engages in a business in Burlingame must obtain and maintain a valid business license.  Most licenses are issued to individuals and firms located in commercial or industrial districts.  However, some types of businesses may be conducted from a home if certain standards and conditions are met.  For these businesses, a Home Occupation Permit, as well as a business license, is required.  Please visit the

The Municipal Code requires that any person who engages in a business in Burlingame must obtain and maintain a valid business license. Most licenses are issued to individuals and firms located in commercial or industrial districts. However, some types of businesses may be conducted from a home if certain standards and conditions are met. For these businesses, a Home Occupation Permit, as well as a business license, is required. Please visit the Home Occupation webpage for more information.

A business license is issued without verification that the licensee is subject to or exempt from licensing by the state, county, federal, or any other governmental agency.  It is issued for revenue purposes only and does not constitute a permit to operate a business in violation of city ordinances or state laws.  Each first time license must be approved by the city departments of building, fire, planning and the county health department, as may be required.

Renew Your 2022-2023 Business License Online
To renew your business license you must have your Customer Number and your current Invoice Number for the 2022-2023 fiscal year.
 
    PAY ONLINE  



SB205 STORMWATER DISCHARGE COMPLIANCE.
Any business required to obtain a storm water permit under the federal Clean Water Act through enrollment with the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit program must complete the companion NPDES Permit Enrollment Verification Form.

SB 1383 COMPOSTING COMPLIANCE
Any business that generates organic waste must enroll in a composting program. Connect with Recology at 650-595-3900 to set up landfill, recycling, and composting service.

DISPOSABLE FOOD SERVICE WARE ORDINANCE REQUIREMENTS.
All food facilities, including restaurants, food trucks, farmers’ markets, catering operations, etc. that operate in the City of Burlingame are required to comply with the Disposable Food Service Ware Ordinance. This law regulates the type of single-use foodware used and how foodware accessories (e.g., straws, utensils, etc.) are distributed. If you are a food operating business applying for a business license in Burlingame, find out how to comply here: www.burlingame.org/disposables. 

To get a business license, please contact:

Burlingame Finance Department
Business License & Water Office
501 Primrose Road
Burlingame, CA.  94010
Phone:  650-558-7210
FAX:  650-685-6138

OR

You can apply online or download and print the forms from our website:

Business License Tax Fees
Business License fees are a local tax for revenue purposes only.  Business License Certificates are non-transferable documents and must be posted in a conspicuous place.  It is the owner’s sole responsibility to renew it annually.  A change in ownership requires new owner(s) to register their businesses.

For most businesses, the license tax fee is $100.00 annually, based on the fiscal year July 1 through June 30.  However, a first time application fee of $35.00 is required for all new businesses. The Business License tax fee will be prorated by the quarter, based on the business start date.   All business license fees are non-refundable.

LICENSE FEES* 

Q1: July 1 – September 30

$100

$35

$4

$139

Q2: October 1 – December 31

$75

$35

$4

$114

Q3: January 1 – March 31

$50

$35

$4

$89

Q4: April 1 – June 30 

$25

$35

$4

$64

*If you began business in the City of Burlingame without first obtaining a business license, there are additional fees.  For assistance in determining applicable fees please contact the office at (650)558-7210.  

Duplicate copy charge is $10.00 – requires written authorization by owner of business 

Businesses approved and located on Broadway automatically become members of the Broadway Burlingame Business Improvement District. The Broadway BID was approved by the Burlingame City Council on July 6, 1992. The BID assesses every merchant on Broadway a yearly fee based on the type of business and number of employees. The yearly fees are collected by the City of Burlingame at the time Business License fees are collected. The funds are then transferred to the BID advisory board whose yearly budget is approved by the council. For further information, please contact the Business License Office.

BUSINESS LICENSE TAX ON PARKING FACILITIES
The Municipal Code requires parking facilities to submit a quarterly tax return and remit a business license tax of 5% of total gross receipts. The quarterly tax return is due on or before the last day of the month following the close of each calendar quarter. (Jan-Mar; Apr-Jun; Jul-Sep; Oct-Dec)

QUARTER

DUE DATE (POSTMARKED)

 JAN-MAR

APR 30th

 APR-JUN

JUL 31st

 JUL-SEP

OCT 31st

 OCT-DEC

JAN 31st

 Parking Facility Business License Tax Return

For complete rules, regulations and rates for Business Licenses, please contact:

Burlingame Finance Department
Business License Office
501 Primrose Road
Burlingame, CA.  94010
Phone:  650-558-7210
FAX:  650-685-6138

Business License and Professions Code

CCFD Business License Inspection Sheet 2022