The City of Simi Valley welcomes you, and we recognize the value and importance of a strong and varied business community. Starting a business can be exciting and challenging. We wish you great success in your new venture!

If you need further assistance applying for a business tax certificate, you are welcome to contact us at SimiValley@hdlgov.com or by phone at (805) 850-1521. Phone support is available Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm (PST).

If you are looking to start a home-based business in the City, you will first need to obtain a Home Occupation Permit from the Planning Division. Please familiarize yourself with the rules and regulations governing Home Occupations by downloading our brochure. You can then apply online for a Home Occupation permit. You can find instructions here on applying for your permit. If you have any questions, please call the Planning Division at (805) 583-6769.

General Information

The law provides that a Business Tax Certificate is necessary before any Business, Trade, Profession, Enterprise, Establishment, Occupation, or Calling is conducted within the City. A Tax Certificate is required even though the business may be located outside the City or have a Tax Certificate from another city.

The Business Tax Certificate is valid until December 31st of the year in which it is issued and must be renewed by April 30th of the following year. It is the responsibility of the tax certificate holder to ensure that the tax is paid each year. A change in business name and/or business address requires a new application and fee. For additional information on the City’s Business Tax Certification, please review the Municipal Code Title 3-Chapter 1 here.

California State Mandated Fee of $4.00 for all Business Licenses and Renewal of Business Licenses: California CASP Fee: SB-1186 went into effect 01/01/2013, and imposes, on and after January 1, 2013, and until December 31, 2018, an additional State fee of $1 on any applicant for a local business license or equivalent instrument or permit, or renewal thereof, for purposes of increasing disability access and compliance with construction related accessibility requirements and developing educational resources for businesses to facilitate compliance with federal and state disability laws, as specified.

The Senate Bill 1186 creates a continuously appropriated fund, the Disability Access and Education Revolving Fund, for the deposit of funds to be transferred to the Division of the State Architect. By adding to the duties of a local entity, this bill imposes a State-mandated local program, which results in costs incurred by the local agencies. On October 11, 2017, AB 1379 went into effect and extends the operation of this fee indefinitely and, on and after January 1, 2018, and until December 31, 2023, increases the amount from $1 to $4. The bill would revert the amount of the fee back to $1 on and after January 1, 2024.

The collection of this mandated fee imposed by the State is already included in the business tax registration fee, and the renewal fee of $19.00. For more information on SB-1186 and AB 1379, please visit http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov.


Regulated Business

For protection of the public, various types of businesses are regulated through the City’s Police or Environmental Services Departments, or through the Ventura County Fire or Health Departments. Your business may or may not be regulated.

For more information on massage parlors, please visit https://www.simivalley.org/departments/environmental-services/planning-division/massage-permits.

The following is a list of some of the operations that need a "permit" in addition to a Business Tax Certificate:

  • Billiard Rooms
  • Bingo
  • Circuses and Carnivals
  • Dance Halls
  • Firearm Dealers
  • Massage Parlors/Therapists
  • Parades and Shows
  • Pawnbrokers
  • Secondhand Dealers
  • Solicitors
  • Taxicabs

    • To access and manage your City of Simi Valley business account, click the link below and create an online profile today.

    • Download a copy of your lost Business Tax Certificate,
    • Link multiple business tax accounts for an easier renewal,
    • Submit a new application and others

    BUSINESS TAX DIRECTORY: Business Tax Verification Search


    To get started, please select one of the online activities below:
    Apply
    Renew
    Pay
    • Pay a Balance Due

      Start here to pay a balance due on an established account with the City of Simi Valley. Please do not use this option to begin the renewal process.

    Close
    Search
    Other
    Update
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    Download Forms

    Please download below

    Business Tax Application Form .pdf   file_download

    Please download below

    Gross Receipt Fee Schedule .pdf   file_download

    Please download below

    Other Agencies .pdf   file_download
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    Frequently Asked Questions

    The City’s Municipal code requires that you obtain a business tax certificate when you conduct business activity within the City of Simi Valley, even if your business is located OUTSIDE the city limits or you have a business tax certificate or license from another city.

    Any person who by the use of signs, circulars, cards, telephone books, newspapers, email solicitations, or other means of communication, advertises, holds out or represents that he/she is engaged in business in the City of Simi Valley, the transaction of which a tax is levied, shall be evidence of the liability of such party to pay such tax on business conducted within the City.

    Conducting business in Simi Valley without a business tax certificate can result in penalties, violation notices, citations and court action.

    The business tax rate for most businesses is based on annual gross receipts for the previous year. A new business should estimate their gross receipts from the day the business begins operation through December 31st of that year.

    All annual business taxes shall be due and payable in advance on April 30 of each year and shall be delinquent on May 1 of each year. It is the responsibility of the taxpayer to pay the tax each year that business is conducted in Simi Valley.

    For failure to renew a Business Tax Certificate on or before April 30, a penalty of Ten Dollars ($10.00) or Ten Percent (10%) of said tax, whichever is the greater, on the first day of each month after the delinquency thereof, to a maximum of no more than 100% of the tax.

    A separate Business Tax Certificate must be obtained for each branch of operation. In addition, a person owning and/or managing two or more types of businesses must pay a tax for each establishment.

    A change in business name and/or business address requires a new business tax application and fee.

    The State of California requires certain classes of business to pay a tax to the State called an In-Lieu Tax: A tax amount greater than the standard corporate rate, paid to the State of California in-lieu of local City or County tax.

    Insurance Companies of payment of the In-Lieu Tax to the State of California, Department of Insurance.

  • The exemption can be found in the California Constitution, Article 13, sec 28, (F) Proof Copy of the most recent payment to the CDI and forms submitted with payment.
    • Insurance Agents/Brokers

    Agents/brokers may be exempt if the agent appointments are only with companies that pay the In-Lieu Tax. The exemption can be found in the California Constitution, Article 13, sec 28,

    Proof

    Individual agent/broker: CDI website lists all agent appointments. All you need is a license number to view individual agent appointments. http://www.insurance.ca.gov/0200-industry/