Business License
The San Joaquin County Ordinance §7-1000 states “No person shall maintain, conduct or carry on a business, whether or not for profit, located in whole or in part at a fixed place of business within this County and outside the limits of any incorporated city, without first obtaining a license to operate […] Furthermore, no person shall establish a new or additional business use of any building, or participate in a change of business ownership without first obtaining a new license to operate.”
To apply for a new business license, applicants should consult with the Community Development Department first. An application must be completed and the applicable fees must be paid. The Community Development Department is located at 1810 East Hazelton Ave., Stockton, CA 95205 and can be reached at (209) 468-3121 or planning@sjgov.org. For more information, visit their website at Community Development Business License.
After approval by the Community Development Department, the Treasurer-Tax Collector will issue and mail a business license. Business licenses must be renewed annually. The Treasurer-Tax Collector will send out renewal notices before business licenses expire. Late renewals will result in a $10 late fee. Failure to renew a business license within 90 days of expiration will require a new business license as if none were ever issued.
Section 16102 of the California Business and Professions Code allows every soldier, sailor, or marine of the United States, who has received an honorable discharge or a release from active duty under honorable conditions from such service, to hawk, peddle, and vend any goods, wares or merchandise owned by him, (except spirituous, malt, vinous, or other intoxicating liquor), without payment of any license fee. A Veteran’s Waiver of License Fee application must be completed and approved.
You should only get a Business License from San Joaquin County if the physical location of your business is in the unincorporated area of the County. If your business is located in one of the incorporated cities you should obtain a business license from that city.
Business License Search
View the license for a business in unincorporated San Joaquin County.