Business Licensing

WHO NEEDS A BUSINESS LICENSE?

Any person who conducts any business, trade, profession, enterprise, establishment or occupation within the City of Gardena is required to obtain a license whether or not the physical business address is in or outside of the City. These include but are not limited to:

Businesses located WITHIN the City’s boundaries

Such as: retailers, wholesalers, manufacturers, professional service providers, home-based businesses, non-residential (commercial) and residential rental property, etc.

Businesses located OUTSIDE the City’s boundaries

That transact business or provide service in the City, such as: construction contractors, independent service providers, repair and handyman services, gardeners, delivery services, real estate sales, janitorial services, temporary employment services, security services, property management, etc.

Mobile vendors

Such as: ice cream trucks, catering trucks and itinerant sales representatives.

There are certain types of business activities that are not permitted to operate in the City unless the owner or operator has been awarded a franchise or has received a permit from City Council. Examples of such businesses include: trash haulers, cable television, fireworks sales, taxicab operations, massage establishment, and pawnshops or secondhand dealer. For a complete list of business types that require a permit to operate click here.

To assist prospective business owners and managers in the preliminary planning and application process of opening a new business, we prepared a document entitled Business License & Permit Planning Guidelines that is recommended for your review. Click here to review the Business License Flowchart.

BUSINESS LICENSE APPLICATION FORMS

Business license applications are provided below and they are also available for pick up at the Community Development Department, located in City Hall, Room 101, 1700 W. 162nd Street, Gardena, CA 90247 between the hours of 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday thru Thursday and between the hours of 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., on Fridays.

There are four different types of business license application forms. Select the appropriate license application form from the list provided below that most accurately describes the type of business you are planning to open.

Contractors Located Outside of City: Business License Application

Contractors and subcontractors are also required to obtain a business license if providing services in the City of Gardena.

Note: In order for agents of contractors to pull licenses and permits, it is the agent’s responsibility to have a notarized letter and a copy of the state contractor’s card. Otherwise, only a valid driver’s license and the state license card are needed.
- A – General Engineering Contractor $150 (business tax) + $4 (SB1186Fee)
- B – General Building Contractor $150 (business tax) + $4 (SB1186Fee)
- C/D – Specialty Contractor $75 (business tax) + $4 (SB1186Fee)
*Business tax is prorated at 50% beginning July 1st until November 30th of each year.

More information can be found in the Business License Guideline:
- BUSINESS LICENSE APPLICATION – OUT-OF-CITY (STATE LICENSED CONTRACTORS)
- OUT-OF-CITY BUSINESS LICENSE APPLICATION GUIDELINE

Business License for Residential Rental Property

Business License Residential Rental Property Application needs to be submitted along with the following:

Copy of Grant/Trust Deed- proof of ownership
Photo ID/DL

BUSINESS LICENSE APPLICATION- RESDIENTIAL RENTAL PROPERTY

Non-Residential Rental Property: Business License Application

Business License Non-Residential Rental Property Application needs to be submitted along with the following:

Copy of Grant/Trust Deed- proof of ownership
Photo ID/DL

BUSINESS LICENSE APPLICATION – NON-RESIDENTIAL RENTAL PROPERTY

All Other Business Types: Business License Application

In-City Businesses are those businesses that are located within the City of Gardena jurisdiction. New business must submit a City Business License Application Form as well as the supporting documents.

BUSINESS LICENSE APPLICATION

Please refer to the Business License Checklist to make sure you have all necessary documents to process the business license:

BUSINESS LICENSE CHECKLIST

More information can be found in the Business License Guideline and Flowchart:

Are you located in Gardena?

Find out by searching your address on our interactive map. Click here.

If your business falls under any of the categories listed above and you intend to pay the business license fee with MasterCard or Discover card, you can either mail in your completed application form and payment to bl@cityofgardena.org OR you can fax the completed application form to (310) 217-9698. Be sure to complete all sections on the form.

WHAT BUSINESSES ARE SAYING ABOUT GARDENA

“We have enjoyed an excellent relationship for over 20 years with the City of Gardena’s Economic Development Department. Their team of professionals have provided us with attentiveness, resources and are always available to help facilitate developments on our end.”

LARRY FLYNT

Hustler Casino

“The City of Gardena views themselves as “partners” in creating what’s best for the City. They work hand in hand with the developer to insure the City gets the best possible project for their citizens.”

MITCH GARDNER

G3 Urban

“The City Government has always been receptive to our business’s needs. The City offers incentives, an excellent quality-of-life for all its citizens and an attractive talent pool of people from diverse backgrounds.”

CARLOS LIFOSJOE

Gardena Nissan

"Gardena is a clear leader in the South Bay. Since moving our business here, the City has maintained safe and clean neighborhoods for us to business in.”

STEVE ROGERS

Southwest Offset Printing

“Gardena is a vibrant place to do business and is a great place to live and call home. It is a great city with a solid pro-business government and a great well tenured City council.”

ZORAIDA HERNANDEZ

MOP Consulting

“The City of Gardena is an outstanding place for a business to grow. The business-friendly environment, experience amongst the Economic Development team and key location are excellent reasons why businesses continue to thrive here.”