All home based businesses operating in the City of La Quinta must obtain a Home Occupation Permit prior to obtaining a business license. Home Occupation Permits are obtained through the City of La Quinta Code Compliance Department and generally require a home inspection by City Code Compliance personnel. The fee for the Home Occupation permit is $122 and is a one-time fee unless there is a change of residence within the City of La Quinta. The permit is required prior to obtaining a City business license.

If you are renting, you will need to obtain permission from the home owner with the Home Occupation Home Owner Approval Form.

If you operate a business that is licensed by a State agency (i.e. contractor) you must provide your State License Number and a copy of the State Contractor Card.

The Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) codes are four-digit numerical codes assigned by the U.S. government to business establishments to identify the primary business of the establishment.

On the U.S. Dept. of Labor website, enter a one word description of your business to retrieve your SIC code.

If a Fictitious Business Name is used, it must be filed through the County of Riverside. You will be required to publish the name in the local newspaper. A copy of the fictitious name statement must be included with your application. You may obtain a Fictitious Business Name application from the Riverside County Clerk’s Office.

Please note that your Fictitious Business Name on file with the County is only good for five years and must be renewed at the County. The County does not send a courtesy renewal notice, so please keep a record on file as a reminder to renew this County license.

City Ordinance requires landscapers to provide a landscape certificate when applying or renewing business license. Obtaining the landscape certificate requires completion of an online CVAG training and a CVWD training. For more information on obtaining the certificate and training program, please visit online College of the Desert, or in person at College of the Desert, PaCE, located in The Shops at Palm Desert during office hours: Monday thru Friday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

If your business provides alcohol, it is required to have an Alcohol Beverage Control License. 

Anyone selling products must have a State Seller's Permit. You must provide a copy of your Seller’s permit upon applying for your business license. (*Please note your permit must contain a La Quinta business address.) You may obtain a Seller's Permit from the California Board of Equalization.

The California Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development https://calosba.ca.gov/ assists business owners in finding the appropriate permit information for their business. It also provides contact information for the various agencies that administer and issue permits, including those for cities, counties, and various other departments, including ours.

• All businesses operating within the city limits of La Quinta (including home-based businesses) are required to have a business license per City of La Quinta Municipal Code Section 3.28.020.  

• Business licenses are not transferable.

• Any change in the business requires written notification to the City of La Quinta Business License Division.

• A $5.00 fee is required for processing a duplicate license.

• Renewal notices will be sent out through email as a courtesy reminder; please make sure to update your email information if changes have occurred. The responsibility for business license renewals lies with the business owner, and failure to receive the renewal notice will not relieve the applicant of an obligation for payment or penalties for the delinquency.

• Your application will be placed on HOLD if it is incomplete and/or if proper documentation is not attached.

• Thank you again for choosing our City to conduct your business activities. If you require additional assistance, please call us at (760) 777-7062.