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We hope the information you find here will be helpful to you in your business operations. Access information about how to start your own business, apply for a business tax certificate, pay your tax payment online, start the approval process for business permits, download forms, look up information about existing businesses, view new business license recipients or use our Business Directory.
Our Frequently Asked Questions section has useful answers to many common questions. Or you may contact our Customer Service division at (559) 621-6880 or [email protected] .
E-CHECK PAYMENTS To save business owners time and money, the City of Fresno now offers an E-check option for paying business tax renewals. Instead of paying a 2.3% convenience fee with a credit card, business owners can now choose to pay with E-check with a flat fee of $0.89 per transaction regardless of the amount owed. All E-Check payments made after 8:00 PM PST will be posted the next business day. You can expect to receive an email to print your certificate within 24 hours of your payment. The E-Check fee is not collected by the City of Fresno, but by the payment processor; and, therefore, will not be reflected on your business tax or dog license account. Customers may continue to pay with a check, by mail, or by check/cash in person without any additional charges.
The City of Fresno Finance Department works with over 25,000 businesses and events annually. The Business License sections of the Fresno Municipal Code state the requirements and regulations under which all businesses shall operate [FMC Sections 5-101 and 5-102]. There are usually questions by about the term “license” according to the Fresno Municipal Code. The term is not meant to construe a professional certification of an ability or accredited diploma by this municipality. Rather, it is a term referring to the ability of the City to gather revenue in the form of taxes where persons carry on any trade, calling, profession, or occupation in the City.
The term “permit” refers to the business activities engaged by persons or groups identified by the City Council as needing to be regulated or controlled for the good of the citizenry at large. See the Business License Checklist for further information on who needs to obtain a business license.
Therefore, as identified by the Fresno Municipal Code, particular businesses will be required to have both business license/tax certificate(s) and specific permit(s) for those activities stipulated by the code.
Please note there are other agencies and/or departments within the City system as well as county, state and federal governments, that may have requirements for permits [example, conditional use permits] that are in addition to and/or need prior approval.
In order that the city maintain service commitments, it is important that you provide accurate and complete information on the application[s] you submit. Modified, or incomplete information may cause delays and/or stop us from complying with your requests to legally conduct business within the City of Fresno.
