Business License
68-700 Avenida Lalo Guerrero - Floor 2
Cathedral City, CA 92234
Phone: (760) 770-0353
Fax: (760) 202-1467
Email: businesslicensestaff@cathedralcity.gov.

Cathedral City is continuing to make significant strides in enhancing its offering of online services. Business licensing is now available online for new applications and renewals.

To access our online how-to guides, please click here.

Anyone doing business in the City of Cathedral City must have a business license. This includes contractors (and subcontractors) and those operating a business out of their home, known as a Home Occupation Permit. You can submit an application online or you can download the application from our website and submit by email, mail or in person at City Hall.

Licenses expire one year from date of issue and are not prorated for the calendar year. Home Occupations and out–of-city businesses are activated within 7-14 business days of receipt of payment. All other businesses will be reviewed internally and inspection(s) may need to occur prior to being approved. The approval process usually occurs within 7-21 business days, depending upon the type of business.

General Information For All Businesses:

Common Business Licenses

Please see the Application Instructions and the Fee Schedule (page 2 of the application) for an overview of license fees. If you have any questions, please call the Business License staff at (760) 770-0353.

A General In-City Business License is based on estimate of gross receipts for the first year of business. This application can be submitted online, email, mail or in person along with a Building Occupancy Clearance Inspection Form. The application and associated forms are routed for approval to the Building, Engineering, Fire, Planning, and Police departments. You can download the Business License Application and the Building Occupancy Clearance Inspection Form.

A Home Occupation Permit: This is the required permit for operating a business from your home within Cathedral City. When applying online, apply for the in town home occupation license. There is a one-time fee for the Home Occupation permit (see Fee Schedule). If you are submitting a paper application, you will need to submit the Home Occupation Permit Application with your Business License Application.

An Out-of-City Business License is a vehicle flat fee (see Fee Schedule). License plate number is required and may be submitted by mail or email. The license is activated within 7-14 business days from date of receipt.

A Contractor’s Business License (see Fee Schedule). This application may be submitted by mail or email. If a Home Occupation business, the Contractor’s State License Board must be current and active. Include a copy of current contractor’s card with application.

Anyone selling products must have a State Sellers Permit. If you are an in-city business, please provide a copy of your Seller’s Permit when you apply. Please note your permit must show the Cathedral City business address. If necessary, the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration will be able to provide address changes.