Information

The City of Sunnyvale requires a Business License to operate any business in the City.  The Planning Division reviews all business license applications to ensure that the proposed use is allowed at the proposed site and complies with applicable regulations.   Please speak with the Planning Division staff to determine if the business is allowed at the proposed location. Some businesses, particularly restaurants, auto repair and recreational/educational classes, may require a Planning permit prior to opening the business. The Planning permit review process requires additional review time and fees. Applying for the business license does not guarantee approval of your business use.

Steps

Here are the following steps you need to take to obtain a business license:   Review the Business Licenses handout and speak with the Planning Division staff regarding your proposed business and location to determine if additional permits are required prior to opening of the business. The Business License handout also describes all the requirements for Home Businesses. Fill out the Business License Application and pay appropriate business tax (tax schedule is included in the application form).  If you have questions about how much you owe or the status of your application, please call (408) 730-7620. Business license submittal may be done in person at the One-Stop Permit Center or the application and appropriate fees may be mailed to: City of Sunnyvale Department of Finance/Business Licensing 650 W. Olive Ave. Sunnyvale, CA 94086   If you bring in a home business application in person, review may be done over the counter in one day. Review of other business licenses may take 2-4 weeks. If approved, the business license will mailed to the business mailing address.   For additional information about allowed uses, please contact the Planning Division at (408) 730-7440 or planning@ci.sunnyvale.ca.us.  If you have questions about the status of an application or applicable taxes, please contact the Finance Department at (408) 730-7620 or finance@ci.sunnyvale.ca.us