FAQs
business licenses
Any person transacting or carrying on any business within the city limits of Brisbane are required to obtain a City of Brisbane Business License. It is unlawful for a person to operate any business in the city without first having procured a license from the city. You can apply for or renew your business license on HdL's online portal, brisbane.hdlgov.com.
HdL is a private company that has been contracted by the City of Brisbane to administer their business licenses commencing with the 2024 renewal season. 2024 Renewal letters from HdL are scheduled to be delivered (by email and USPS) in early January for the January 31, 2024 deadline. You can apply for or renew your business license on HdL's online portal, brisbane.hdlgov.com.
You can also file or renew your business license online here: brisbane.hdlgov.com. For more information regarding the City of Brisbane business licenses, please reach out to HdL at 415-240-4471 or at brisbane@hdlgov.com.
An application must be submitted prior to the commencement of any business activity within the city limits. Upon approval of the application and payment of the prescribed tax, a business license will be issued.
Business licenses are valid from January 1 through December 31. Renewal forms and the related business license tax are due by January 31 of each year. HdL mails and emails courtesy renewal notices; however, non-receipt of the renewal form does not relieve the renewal applicant of any liability or responsibility for completing and filing the form on time. Please renew your business license here: brisbane.hdlgov.com.
Business license fees are based on the type of business. Please refer to the Business License Tax Fee Schedule in HdL's portal (under 'Download Forms') for details on the Business Classifications and how to calculate the Business License Tax.
Additional Fees:
- All new businesses physically located within the city limits of Brisbane are required to pay a fire inspection fee and have their commercial space inspected by the Fire Inspector.
- Any person who is required to receive a clearance and investigative report from the Police Department, including fingerprinting and/or investigation, will pay a fee of twenty dollars ($20) for this service.
- Prior to the operation of a catering or ice cream vending vehicle in the City, a permit must be obtained from the Brisbane Police Department approving hours of operation, routes, limitation of noise level, and other matters determined by the Chief of Police, which may affect the health, safety, or peace of the citizens of Brisbane. Additional charges may apply. A County of San Mateo Health Permit is required.
- All new businesses must receive City Approval before a license can be issued.
"Gross receipts" includes the total of amounts actually received or receivable from sales and the total amounts actually received or receivable for the performance of any act of service, or whatever nature it may be, for which a charge is made or credit allowed, whether or not such act or service is done as a part of or in connection with the sale of materials, goods, wares or merchandise. Included in "gross receipts" shall be all receipts, cash, credits, and property of any kind or nature, without any deduction on account of the cost of the property sold, the cost of materials used, labor or service costs, interest paid or payable, or losses or other expenses whatsoever”. Please see Brisbane, CA Code of Ordinances, Ord 232 1-6, 1977, for a list of items that may be excluded from gross receipts or reach out to HdL at 415-240-4471 for assistance.
Yes, except for businesses that generate more than $10 million in gross receipts and pay sales tax to the City of Brisbane. The online portal is available at brisbane.hdlgov.com. For questions about filing or renewing your business license, please contact HdL at brisbane@hdlgov.com or call (415) 240-4471. Their operating hours are Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. PT.
HdL's mailing address is:
City of Brisbane
Processing Center
8839 N. Cedar Ave. #212
Fresno, CA 93720
No. In order to be properly credited for your license tax payments, you must use the forms provided by the City of Brisbane or HdL. All payments and correspondence must be sent to the Finance Department. Payments may be made online at brisbane.hdlgov.com or sent to HdL's mailing address at:
City of Brisbane
Processing Center
8839 N. Cedar Ave. #212
Fresno, CA 93720
If your business has been closed or if you are no longer doing business in the municipality, please update the “business closed” box located on the top right of the renewal form and submit to brisbane@hdlgov.com.
Specific license types require proof of certification and/or pre-approval by the City. Proof of certification or approval may include, but not be limited to: copy of permits, copy of board certification, departmental signatures, etc. Some of the most commonly required certifications are:
**Please note that the above list is not an all-inclusive listing. For questions regarding certification requirements, please contact the Finance Department of the City of Brisbane at 415-508-2150 or through the Contact Us section on the City's website for additional information.
On September 19, 2012, Governor Brown signed Senate Bill 1186 (SB 1186) into law. SB 1186 is intended to increase disability access, encourage compliance with construction-related accessibility requirements, develop education resources for businesses, and facilitate compliance with Federal and State disability laws. From January 1, 2013, and until December 31, 2017, cities and counties were required to collect a State mandated fee of $1.00 from “any applicant for a local business license or equivalent instrument or permit, and from any applicant for the renewal of a business license or equivalent instrument or permit.” Assembly Bill 1379 was passed on October 11, 2017 which extends the assessment of the fee indefinitely and also the State mandated fee from $1.00 to $4.00 effective January 1, 2018. The City is required by law to inform you of the following: Under Federal and State law, compliance with disability access laws is a serious and significant responsibility that applies to all California building owners and tenants with buildings open to the public. You may obtain information about your legal obligations and how to comply with disability access laws at the following agencies: The Division of the State Architect; The Department of Rehabilitation; The California Commission on Disability Access.
The due date for filing a renewal is January 31 of each year. Failure to file a renewal form by the due date will result in the assessment of a penalty. Any payment made after the due date will be assessed a late fee of 10%. Any payment made after 60 days of the due date will be assessed a late fee of 25%.
Applicants may file an exemption from business license tax by filing a new business application stating the facts upon which exemption is claimed. If the City deems the organization exempt, a business license will be issued. See Chapter 5.12 of the Municipal Code for details.
