For County assistance, please call 510.208. 9770 for a menu of County Agencies and Departments. You can also look up telephone numbers in the County Telephone Directory.
As long as your business location and all business activity are conducted outside the City, there is no need to obtain a business license. If you are conducting business from your residence, or your residence is your business location, you will need to obtain and maintain a business license.
You must obtain a business license from Alameda County only if you are conducting any type of business, including leasing residential and commercial property, or your business is based in an unincorporated area of Alameda County.
New Business License Web Portal Announcement Please visit to apply for or renew your business license. For business license assistance, please contact HdL at (510) 250-1889 or Alameda@HdLGov. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to call us at (510) 747-4851.
Limited partnerships, corporations, and limited liability companies (LLCs) are all legally required to register within California. Only sole proprietorships are exempt.
You must obtain a business license from Alameda County only if you are conducting any type of business, including leasing residential and commercial property, or your business is based in an unincorporated area of Alameda County. DO NOT APPLY TO ALAMEDA COUNTY IF YOU OPERATE A BUSINESS WITHIN CITY LIMITS.
You must obtain a business license from Alameda County only if you are conducting any type of business, including leasing residential and commercial property, or your business is based in an unincorporated area of Alameda County. DO NOT APPLY TO ALAMEDA COUNTY IF YOU OPERATE A BUSINESS WITHIN CITY LIMITS.
Local business licenses in California Many California counties require businesses to obtain a business operating license before doing business in the county. This requirement applies to all businesses, including one-person, home-based operations. Many cities require a business license in addition to the county license.
While license rules vary by city and county, some common local business licenses include: Operating licenses. Building permits. Zoning and land use permits. Health licenses and permits. Signage licenses.