Business Licenses
Any person engaging in business in the City must first apply and receive a business license from the City and pay the business license fee. Any business having its location or mailing address in the City of Brisbane or any out of town business operating in the City is required to maintain an active business license with the City of Brisbane. See the tables below for the approximate business license fee you will need to pay:
If Gross Receipts Are:
Over | But Not More Than | Business License |
$ 0 | $ 50,000 | $ 50 |
50,000 | 75,000 | 75 |
75,000 | 100,000 | 100 |
100,000 | 150,000 | 125 |
150,000 | 250,000 | 150 |
250,000 | 350,000 | 175 |
350,000 | 450,000 | 200 |
450,000 | 550,000 | 225 |
550,000 | 700,000 | 250 |
700,000 | 1,000,000 | 300 |
1,000,000 | 1,500,000 | 350 |
1,500,000 | 2,000,000 | 400 |
If Gross Receipts Are:
Over | But Not More Than | Business License |
$ 2,000,000 | $ 3,000,000 | $ 500 plus 20¢ per $1,000 or fraction thereof over $2,000,000 and up to $3,000,000 |
3,000,000 | 4,000,000 | 700 plus 15¢ per $1,000 or fraction thereof over $3,000,000 and up to $4,000,000 |
4,000,000 | 5,000,000 | 850 plus 10¢ per $1,000 or fraction thereof over $4,000,000 and up to $5,000,000 |
5,000,000 | 10,000,000 | 1,050 plus 5¢ per $1,000 or fraction thereof over $5,000,000 and up to $10,000,000 |
10,000,000 | and over | The City will calculate the tax due based on 7.5¢ per $100, reduced by a credit for sales tax received by the City from the same business, with a min. of $1,300 and max. of $35,000. (After 2012, the maximum will subject to adjustment for increases in the Consumer Price Index). |
How do I obtain a business license?
Please visit Lyn Jay at the Finance Counter at City Hall for a Business Application Form, or download the appropriate form below to print and fill out. You may also contact Lyn with any questions at mjay@ci.brisbane.ca.us or by calling (415) 508-2153. This form must be brought in, in person, to the Finance Department. Please do not email the form.
When completing the Business License Application, be specific in describing the business activity. Include the name of the business and mailing address. Be sure to include the mailing address of the owner of the business if it is different from the businessí mailing address. Also, review the types of businesses listed on the license application to make sure that you calculate the tax correctly.
Each business license is reviewed by the Planning Department and the Fire Department, and in some select cases the Police Department, before a license is issued.
Licenses are not transferable. If you sell your business, it is your responsibility to notify the Finance Department so your license may be closed.
Business License Fees and Classifications