Business License FAQs

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1. How do I submit my Business License Application?

We accept new business licenses through this online form, by mail or in person Monday through Friday 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. at 3970 Rocklin Road – first floor.

Fees can be paid by check or money order if mailed, or by check, cash, VISA or Master Card if paid in person. You can mail your application to 3970 Rocklin Road Rocklin, CA 95677 Attn: Business Licenses.

2. Can I renew my business license online?

Yes. Click here and follow the instructions to renew.

Your account number is your business license number and the online renewal pin # is located on the bottom, right hand corner of the renewal form. We accept Visa and MasterCard.

3. What “business category” is my business?

Click to view this Business Category Listing. If your business is not specifically listed under Type of Business, your category will be “Other Businesses”. This includes, but is not limited to, retail, restaurants, home-based consultants, internet businesses, and house cleaning.

If you apply online, your business category will be assigned during the review process. In the box “Describe your business” please enter a detailed business description to assist with assigning the business category.

4. Do I need a Certificate of Occupancy?

If your principal place of business is in the City of Rocklin in a commercial building, the building is required to have a Certificate of Occupancy. To verify a Certificate of Occupancy’s status you can contact the Building Department at (916) 625-5120.

5. Do I need a Home Business Permit?

If your principal place of business is in the City of Rocklin, but in a home and/or apartment, you will need to complete a Home Business Permit. If you are renting and are not the homeowner, you will need a letter from your owner/landlord verifying that they have given you permission to use the residence for your business.

If your home in the City of Rocklin is your business address but you conduct your business outside your home, you need a Home Business Permit.

If you operate more than one home business and they are different in business nature, or reported separately for tax purposes, you may be required to have a separate Home Business Permit for each business.

If you are operating a home business inside the City of Rocklin, you are unable to apply for your business license online. It is faster to submit the Business License Application and Home Business Permit in person at 3970 Rocklin Rd, 1st floor. The counter hours are Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. You can also submit them by mail to 3970 Rocklin Road, Rocklin CA 95677 Attn: Home Business Permit. 

If you have additional questions regarding the Home Business Permit, please contact the Community Development Department at 916-625-5120 or by email at planner@rocklin.ca.us.

6. What are the fees for obtaining a new business license?

Application Fee $21.00 (required for new business license)
SB 1186 CASp Fee* $  4.00 (required for new & renewed business license)
Home Business Permit $214.00 (required for new Rocklin home based business)
Business License Tax See Business License Tax Tables located on back of Application form.
*SB 1186 CASp fee effective 1/1/18 is a State of California fee to increase certified public access specialist services & compliance with construction related accessibility requirements.

7. What other special fees may be charged for a business license?

Updated Home Business Permit: $106.00
Duplicate/Reprint License: $5.00
Expedite License: $5.00

8. Which Business License Tax Table do I use?

If your business category is “Other Businesses”, you will use the Annual Gross Receipts Table. If your business category is one of the other categories such as Service or Contractor, you will use the table for that business category.

9. My business is Massage Therapy, what documentation is required at the time of application?

All Massage businesses in the City of Rocklin are required to have a valid CA MTO Certificate. You are required to apply for a City of Rocklin Massage Permit prior to applying for your business license.

You can apply with Rocklin Police Department at 4080 Rocklin Road, Rocklin, CA 95677, phone number (916) 625-5400.

If you are operating a massage business inside the City of Rocklin, you are unable to apply for your business license online.

10. My business is Physical Therapy, what documentation is required at the time of application?

You will need to provide a copy of your State of California License and/or Certification if you apply in person or by mail.

If you apply online, please attach a copy of your State of California License.

11. If I need to make a change to my business license, what do I do?

If you have a renewal form, you can make the updates on the form (this includes changes to mailing address, name, phone number, etc.) and sign the form. If you are renewing your business license, there is no additional fee. If your business license is not due for renewal but you require a new copy, there is a $5 duplicate/reprint fee.

If you are making changes to a home business, they cannot be made online. You will need to submit a Home Business Permit and write “updated” on the top of the form, along with the $96 fee. Submit it in person or mail to 3970 Rocklin Road, Rocklin CA 95677, 1st floor.

If you do not have a renewal form, you can print a Business License Application and submit it with your changes. Please check one of the boxes on the upper right hand side of the form indicating the reason for your change. If the change is not reflected there, note on the top of the form “update or changes”.

To make changes online, go to our website and choose Update-Request Account Information. Enter updated information and submit. If you make changes at time of renewal – no fee is required. If not, you will receive a Balance Due email for the $5 update fee.

12. If my business changes ownership, what do I do?

If your federal identification number or owner’s social security number remains the same, see question #11. For example, if you are changing from a sole proprietor to a corporation, or if you have a partnership and a partner/co-owner needs to be added. Please check the box on the upper right hand side of the form indicating “change of ownership. If you are deleting a partner/co-owner, submit a letter signed by the party being removed.

If you are renewing your business license, there is no additional fee. If your business license is not due for renewal, there is a $5 update fee.

If you are selling your business or the ownership involves a change in FID number or SS #, you will need to apply for a new business license, including all associated fees. (See #1) The old business license will be closed.

13. If my business location changes, what do I do?

If your business is in a Rocklin commercial location, you will need to submit a Business License Application with changes. Please check the box on the upper right hand side of the form indicating “change of location”. If changes are made at time of renewal – no fee is required. If your business license is not due for renewal, there is a $5 update fee.

To make changes online, go to our website and choose Update-Request Account Information. Enter updated information and submit. If you make changes at time of renewal – no fee is required. If not, you will receive a Balance Due email for the $5 update fee.

If your business is in a home and/or apartment in the City of Rocklin, you will need to complete applications for both the Business License and the Home Business Permit. Submit them along with a $5 Business License update fee and a $96 updated Home Business Permit fee. Changes cannot be made online.

14. If my business name changes, what do I do?

Print out a Business License Application form and check the box in the upper right hand corner indicating “change of business name”, along with the $5 update fee. If you make changes at time of renewal – no fee is required.

If your business name change involves a change in FID number or SS #, you will need to apply for a new business license, including all associated fees. (See #1) The old business license will be closed.

If your business is a home business, changes cannot be made online. You will need to submit a Home Business Permit and mark it modified; along with the $96 fee.

To make changes online, go to our website and choose Update-Request Account Information. Enter updated information and submit. If you make changes at time of renewal – no fee is required. If not, you will receive a Balance Due email for the $5 update fee.

15. My business license expired; do I owe a penalty fee?

We allow a 30 day grace period from the business license expiration date to renew without penalty. After the 30 day grace period, there is a 10% penalty fee assessed for each month your license is delinquent up to a maximum penalty of 50%.

16. I have received my Business License Renewal, how do I calculate the amount due?

If your renewal form shows Rate Type: Gross Annual Receipts, you need to use the instructions in the lower left hand box to determine your business license tax due. Complete the right side of the form. Lines 1 and 6 are required. Incomplete forms will be returned.

All other rate types are a flat rate and have the amount due clearly printed on the form. If you renew online – penalties for all business types will be calculated for you.

17. I only conduct business online and do not have customers coming to my Rocklin home or office. Do I still need a business license?

Yes.

18. My business address is in Rocklin, but I only do paperwork in my Rocklin location. All of my business is conducted in other cities and counties. Do I still need a business license?

Yes.

19. My business is located in Rocklin, but I also conduct business in Roseville, Sacramento, and other surrounding cities. Do I need a business license for each city?

Your City of Rocklin business license allows you to conduct business in the City of Rocklin. Contact the other cities in question regarding their business license requirements.

20. Will I receive a business license renewal notice?

Yes. You should receive a renewal notice by email (if you have a valid email address on file) and in the mail approximately 30 days before your expiration date. If you do not receive a renewal notice and your license is about to expire, please contact our office at (916) 625-5020.

21. I am no longer doing business in the City of Rocklin and want to close my business license.

If you have received your renewal form there is a box in the upper, right section of the form where you can indicate that you are no longer doing business in the City. Insert the effective date and return to the address on the renewal form. If you do not have a renewal form, please contact our office at (916) 625-5020. To close business online, go to our website and choose Close – Request to Close a Business License Online. Enter updated information and submit.

22. Do I need a business license if my business is Non-Profit or Exempt?

You will need to file a Business License Application.  You are required to submit a copy of your IRS form 501© or the IRS letter indicating your eligibility for nonprofit status under the applicable provision of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954. We will not accept a letter of State sales tax exemption as proof of nonprofit status.

The business license tax is waived, but we require a one-time application fee of $21 and a Certificate of Occupancy (see Question #4) or a Home Business Permit (see Question #5).  Non-profit/Exempt business licenses are valid from the date of opening through December 31st.

A renewal form will be mailed each year in November.  The form is required to be signed and returned to verify the business is still operating.  A new business license will be mailed upon receipt of the renewal form.  No business license tax will be due for renewal. 

To renew online – Go to our website and choose Renew – Renew Business License Online and follow the instructions using your renewal form.  Your account number is your business license number and the online renewal pin # is located on the bottom, right hand corner of the form.

23. What if I have received a business license renewal form and I no longer need a business license?

There is a box in the top right hand corner of the form, fill out the date closed, sign, and return the form to the City or call us at (916) 625-5020. To close business online, go to our website and choose Close – Request to Close a Business License Online. Enter updated information and submit.