Business Licenses

Every person, corporation, partnership, etc., conducting business operations in the City is required to obtain a City of La Verne business license prior to commencing such business activities. City of La Verne offers three ways to obtain a business license application:

  1. You may view the Business License Application (PDF), print the form, and mail it in with your payment.
  2. By contacting the Business Licensing department at 909-596-8722, we can mail or fax you the application.
  3. If you would like to apply in person you may pick one up at the Finance counter at City Hall.

Before you apply please contact the business license office to discuss the details of your particular business operations. Inquire about the Certificate of Use and Occupancy permit, city zoning requirements for your type of business, and its planned location before signing a lease. This information may be obtained from the Community Development Department at 909-596-8706 Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. In addition to obtaining the business license, you must also comply with all City, County, and State regulations for zoning, building, health, and safety.

The City accepts payments in the form of cash, check, and most major credit cards.

Display of Business License

All Business License Certificates must be posted in a conspicuous place upon the premises where the business is carried on. For those businesses not having a fixed place of business in the City of La Verne, the certificate must be physically carried on the person and presented upon request. 

Transferable - Change of location, change of ownership, and/or change of business name.

A license shall be transferable upon application and paying a fee of ten dollars. The license may be amended to authorize the transacting and carrying on of such businesses under the new license at a new location, under a new owner, and/or new business name. A new Certificate of Use and Occupancy or Home Occupation Permit will be required and can be obtained from the Community Development Department.

Duplicate license—Fee.

A duplicate license may be issued by the license collector to replace any license previously issued under this chapter which has been lost or destroyed upon the licensee filing a statement of such fact and at the time of filing such statement paying to the license collector a duplicate license fee of ten dollars.

Change of business address within the City

To process a change of business address, advise the Business License Department in person or in writing of the address correction. A new Business License and/or Home Occupation Permit, and Certificate of Use and Occupancy must be filed.

Expiration and renewal of Business License

Your Business License Certificate expires on December 31 each year. Once you have obtained a license, a renewal notice will automatically be mailed to you before the expiration date. If you do not receive a renewal notice, please contact the Business License Office. Failure to receive a renewal notice does not relieve the business owners’ responsibility of renewing the Business License.