California note
Davis business and building questions use different city desks
Davis residents and small businesses should separate business-license questions from building, planning, zoning, permit, and inspection questions.
Davis has many small-business and home-project questions that sound similar at first. A home office, tenant space, sign, remodel, or change in use can touch more than one city desk.
Business licenses start with Finance. Davis has forms for regular businesses, home occupations, commercial businesses, and contractors. Renewals need the business license and PIN. They also need prior-year gross receipts.
Building and planning questions sit with Community Development. Use that side for online building permits, plan review, and permit status. It is also the place for code questions, resale inspections, planning applications, zoning, land use, signs, and inspections.
For Davis, sort the question first. If the issue is permission to operate, start with business licensing. If it changes a building, site, sign, layout, or use, bring Community Development in early.
Where to see it
Davis Business License and Community Development pages.
Official sources
Official pages
Reviewed July 5, 2026
Current rules, forms, fees, deadlines, maps, and office instructions.
Rules, forms, fees, deadlines, and office procedures can change. Check the current page before you file, pay, or rely on a date.
Connected places
Open the local directory
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