In addition to the Business Registration Certificate, certain types of
businesses are required to obtain additional permits and licenses to
operate in San Francisco. The
Department of Public Health,
Fire Department, and
Police Department are the local regulatory agencies that administer more than 100 types of permits and licenses.
After the business permit is approved by the assigned regulatory
agency, the business owner pays a license fee to the Office of the
Treasurer & Tax Collector and the permit is issued. The license
must be posted at the place of business and must be renewed annually.
The dates of renewal differ based on the type of permit/license issued.
Please refer to the Business License/Permit list (pdf) for specific renewal information.
Applying for a New Business Permit or License
San Francisco business owners must submit the appropriate permit
application and registration fee to the regulatory department. Usually,
a business must pass an inspection to be approved for the permit.
Permit Forms are available from:
Department of Public Health
1390 Market St. Rm. 210, SF, CA 94102
(415) 252-3800 | 8am - 5pm
Police Department
850 Bryant St. Rm. 458, SF, CA 94103
(415) 553-1115 | 8am - 5pm
Fire Department
698 Second St. Rm. 109, SF, CA 94107
(415) 558-3303 | 7am - 5pm
If an inspection is necessary, the business owner will be contacted by the agency to schedule an appointment.
Within approximately one week after the inspection by the regulatory
departments, the business owner will receive a statement of license fee
due. For new license certificates, the fee is usually prorated monthly.
The license certificate is issued after payment is received and processed by the property tax/license section.
Renewing a Business License
The Office of the Treasurer & Tax Collector handles the annual
business license renewal. The renewal statement is mailed out
approximately one month before the business license expires. Annual
license renewal dates vary depending on the type of license. When the
license fee is paid in full, the license certificate is issued to the
business owner. License fees can be paid in person at the City Payment
Center by check, cash, or money order, or by mail using check or money
order. Penalties are added to the license fee due, beginning one month
after the license expiration date.
Business License Listing
