Business License

This division of the Finance Department is responsible for issuance and renewal of business licenses in the City of Healdsburg. The City business licensing program has been established by authority of City Ordinance #773, which defines the various tax rates and compliance requirements.

All businesses operating in the City of Healdsburg are required to obtain a business license and pay the annual business license tax. Active businesses that change locations are required to file an updated business license application. Businesses that change ownership are required to complete a new application.  Renewal tax reporting forms are mailed to businesses in April.  Billing statements for taxes due are mailed in June. Payments may be made by mail, in person, or by credit card by the end of July. 

Applying for a Business License

The City of Healdsburg's business license period is July 1 through June 30. For most businesses, the license fees are based on gross receipts and type of business.  A completed Business Tax Certificate Application is required. Please note that the required form is multi-part.  An original form must be completed.

Instructions to Complete the Application Package

In the process of completing the business license application or renewal form, the applicant is required to:

• Estimate the businesses gross receipts for the year’s period of time
• This is one of the factors determining the license fee.
• Define in detail the type of business and activities
• For all businesses download and complete either
• Zoning Clearance Questionaire (for all businesses) or
• Zoning Clearance Questionaire (for home occupations)
• Indicate the date the business opened
• This is the actual/projected opening date or date work will begin in Healdsburg.
• List any special sewer discharge and/or hazardous materials

Upon receipt of a completed application, the business license office will process and clear the application for the applicant. The clearance process includes:

• The City Planning Department reviewing the business for zoning, signing, home occupation, etc.
• The City Public Works Department reviewing the business for sewer discharge
• The City Fire Department reviewing the business for compliance with fire codes
• The City Police Department reviewing the business for compliance 

In most cases, the application can be cleared and processed in a week. However, depending upon the complexity of the business, some applications may require additional processing time. There may be additional questions from the Planning, Public Works, Fire and Police Departments.  Please include a telephone number where you can be contacted during regular business hours.  The applicant shall include the business license fee with submittal of the application. 

To obtain information on filing fictitious name statements for a business, please call the Sonoma County Clerk at (707) 527-3800. For information on sales tax or resale numbers for a business, please call the State Board of Equalization at (707) 576-2100.

If the business requires utilities to be connected at a City location, the applicant is required to apply at City Hall, Utility Billing Office, 401 Grove Street. The business license application must be cleared before utilities can be connected in the name of the business.  Go to Utility Billing

Downtown Business District (DBD) 

In 1985, the City adopted a “Downtown Business and Parking Improvement Area” which assesses each business located within its boundaries, each January, on a calendar year basis. Contact Healdsburg Chamber of Commerce at (707) 433-6935 for further information.

Questions about Business License?

• By Email:  Business License
• By Phone: (707) 431-3177
• By Fax: (707) 431-3171
• In Person: City Hall, Finance Department, 401 Grove Street, Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• In Writing: City of Healdsburg, Business License, 401 Grove Street, Healdsburg, CA 95448-4723