You have decided to start your business in Monterey Park.  Every person who conducts a business in the City must have a business license.  Below is a step-to-step guide to how to obtain a business license in the Monterey Park.  A member of the Economic Development Department can sit down with you and help you get through the process.  The Economic Development Department is located at the lower level of the City Hall and its contact number is (626)307-1385.

Getting Started:  

All Monterey Park City employees are here to help your business get started the right way by helping you to obtain a Certificate of Occupancy and a Business License. We highly urge you to contact each of these departments prior to signing any lease or other agreements that might bind you financially for an extended period of time. 

Step 1 - Planning Counter (626) 307-1315

The Planning Division determines whether your business is permitted in the zone in which you wish to operate.  The Application for Certificate of Occupancy is available at the Planning Division Counter.  The Certificate of Occupancy is the first step toward getting your business cleared to obtain a business license.

The following information is needed to complete the Certificate of Occupation application:

• Your business name;
• Your business address;
• Type of business you will conduct;
• Building owner/manager's name, and phone number;
• Your name and phone number;
• The previous use of the unit you will occupy (if known), and how long since it ceased to operate at that location;
• Square footage of area to be occupied;
• List of any flammable or hazardous materials you will use in your business, if any.

Submit your completed application for Certificate of Occupancy to a planner at the Planning Counter.  At this time, you may be asked additional questions about your proposed business to determine its suitabliity for the location you selected.  Occasionally, applicants are requested to submit additional written statements and other supporting documents to help the planning staff make their determination.

Step 2 - Building & Safety Counter  (626) 307-1300

Once you have obtained Planning's approval, you may go to the Building Counter located next to Planning. 

If you are considering the real estate purchase of the property on which your proposed business is located, you may also need to apply for a Commercial Property Report.  Contact the Building Division for the application and details.

Building & Safety’s responsibility is to ensure that your new location is safe for you and your neighbors.  Usually this requires an inspection and if necessary corrections to be made before you occupy your new premises.  Once your building meets safety requirements for your proposed business operation, Building & Safety will then assign a certificate number to your Certificate of Occupancy application.  You are now ready to go to the Cashier Counter and pay the application fees.

If the building is leased out to multiple tenants, a requirement for Building & Safety approval is to have an updated "Tenant Key Plan" on file.  A "Tenant Key Plan" is a diagram that shows how the building is divided into different tenant spaces, the suite numbers, and the square-footage of each tenant space.  Please check with your landlord or call the Building & Safety Division to make sure there is an up-to-date "Tenant Key Plan" on file.

Step 3 - Cashier Counter (626)307-1336

Once a number is assigned to your Application for Certificate of Occupancy, you may take the application to the Cashier Counter.  Pay the fees for the Application for Certificate of Occupancy and then you are ready to go on to Step 4 which is Fire Prevention Counter.

Step 4 - Fire Prevention Counter (626)307-1308

You must schedule a fire inspection at the Fire Prevention counter located next to Building Counter.  Prior to scheduling an inspection, the business must be set up with all equipment and merchandise in place as if ready to open for business.

If you do not pass the fire inspection, you will be given a list of corrections that you are required to address.  You will be given a re-inspection date (usually ten days after the first inspection).  If you are able to correct the violations prior to your re-inspection date, you may contact fire prevention to attempt to schedule an earlier inspection.

All appointments must be cancelled or rescheduled 24 hours in advance.  Failure to do so may result in a re-inspection fee being charged.  In order for fire prevention to conduct an inspection, an adult representative of the business must be present.  Your first re-inspection will be conducted at no additional charge.

The next business day after you pass the fire inspection, you MUST come back to City Hall and obtain a Business License and your Certificate of Occupancy.

You are not allowed to open for business until you have both your Certificate of Occupancy and Business License. Both must be posted on the premises.

Step 5 - Business License Counter  (626) 307-1338

Once you have been approved for the Application for Certificate of Occupancy, you must come back to City Hall to the Business License Counter located next to the Cashier Counter to complete you Business License Application.  They will need:

• Owner’s Social Security Number or
• Business Federal ID Number
• Owner’s Driver License
• State ID Number (If you have employees.)
• Resale Number (From State Board of Equalization), if applicable
• Names, titles, home addresses, home phone numbers, fax numbers for all owners.
• Total number of employees (both full and part-time)
• Total number of professionals (As defined in our code) with documentation showing area of expertise such as state license, diploma or certificate certifying field of expertise.
• For restaurants or eating establishments--County Health Certificate
• Articles of Incorporation -  Statement of Information filed with the state.

After the counter person has checked your application forms, the license fees will be calculated.  There may be other fees depending on the type of business you will be operating.  Once you have paid your Business License fees and provided all required information and/or certificates, you will be given a receipt.

You will be mailed your Business License and Certificate of Occupancy approximately 4 working days after we have received all required payment and information.

an application for Police Alarm Systems must be completed and handed in with the Business License Application, if applicable.

Note:

Please notify the Licensing Division of any changes in your Business License status. Closing out your business is just as important as opening.  Changes to report include, but are not limited to

(1) Change in location
(2) Change in ownership
(3) Change in number of employees
(4) Name changes of the owners
(5) The closing of your business

For additional information for each step, you may request for the booklet "Starting a Commercial Business in Monterey Park" from the Business License Division.