California note
Los Angeles business registration starts with the Office of Finance
Los Angeles business owners usually start with the Office of Finance for a Business Tax Registration Certificate, then check whether the business needs other city permits.
If you are starting a business in the City of Los Angeles, the local tax sign-up usually begins with the Office of Finance. The paper is called a Business Tax Registration Certificate, or BTRC.
Online registration is usually the fastest path. After the form is complete, the business can receive a temporary BTRC or registration number. The permanent certificate is mailed later. That can help when you are lining up banking, leases, vendor forms, or other local steps.
The BTRC is not always the whole story. Some businesses may need other approvals too. Food, tobacco, fire, police, sidewalk, event, short-term rental, building, zoning, and health work can bring in different offices.
Think of it this way: the Office of Finance starts the city business-tax step. The kind of work you do can add more doors. A home-based consultant, small shop, restaurant, salon, contractor, and street vendor can have different next steps.
Before you register, write down the business address, start date, owner type, and what the business actually does. Those details guide the form and help you spot any extra permit path.
Where to see it
Los Angeles Office of Finance business registration and BTRC pages.
Official sources
Official pages
Reviewed July 3, 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
Related notes
Related California notes
Los Angeles 311 is the first stop for many neighborhood fixes
MyLA311 gives Los Angeles residents one place to start many non-emergency city requests, including graffiti, potholes, bulky-item pickup, dumping, streetlights, parking enforcement, and city information.
Read next →Los Angeles transit works better when Metro and DASH are both on the map
Metro handles the big bus and rail network, while LADOT DASH fills many shorter neighborhood trips inside the city.
Read next →LAFD brush clearance status can be checked by parcel
LAFD's parcel tool uses an Assessor Parcel Number, while an account made with the APN and mailed PIN can show inspection photos and email pass-or-fail notices.
Read next →