Opening a business in California: state licenses, permits and registrations
The 22 state-level filings in California, and full guides for 12 cities there. The fixed government fees add up to about $960, 15 fees are set by the space or the business and 3 filings are free.
Fees and timelines at a glance
| Filing | Agency | Government fee | How long | Renews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Articles of Organization (California LLC) | California Secretary of State | $70 | Online filings are currently reviewed about 3 days after receipt (mail about 8 days), per the Oct 8, 2026 queue. | Statement of Information (LLC-12, $20) within 90 days, then every two years. |
| Application to Register a Foreign LLC | California Secretary of State | $70 | Online filings are currently reviewed about 3 days after receipt (mail about 8 days), per the Oct 8, 2026 queue. | Not listed |
| Statement of Information (California LLC) | California Secretary of State | $20 | Not listed | Every two years, in the anniversary month of formation and the five months before it. |
| Seller's permit | California Department of Tax and Fee Administration | Free | Often issued the same day. | Does not expire. |
| Certified food protection manager | California Retail Food Code, enforced by the county or city environmental health department | Varies | Not listed | Every 5 years. |
| Food handler cards for staff | California Retail Food Code, enforced by the county or city environmental health department | Varies | Not listed | Every 3 years. |
| Processed food registration (food warehouse) | California Department of Public Health, Food and Drug Branch | Varies | Not listed | Not listed |
| Registration Form for Commercial Employers | California Employment Development Department | Free | Mail-in registration takes about 10 to 14 days; online is faster. | Not listed |
| Application Questionnaire | California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control | Varies | Not listed | Not listed |
| Alcoholic beverage license | California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control | Varies | ABC's investigation takes about 55 to 65 days, and the license can't issue in under 30; San Francisco's guide plans 3 to 6 months for the whole process. | Not listed |
| Planned Operations (retail) | California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control | Varies | Not listed | Not listed |
| Zoning Affidavit | California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control | Varies | Not listed | Not listed |
| Tied-House Certification | California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control | Varies | Not listed | Not listed |
| Statement Re: Residences (Rule 61.4) | California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control | Varies | Not listed | Not listed |
| Corporate Questionnaire | California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control | Varies | Not listed | Not listed |
| Limited Liability Company Questionnaire | California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control | Varies | Not listed | Not listed |
| Licensed Premises Diagram | California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control | Varies | Not listed | Not listed |
| Application Signature Sheet ("Sign On") | California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control | Varies | Not listed | Not listed |
| LLC annual tax ($800) | California Franchise Tax Board | $800 | Paying the $800 LLC tax online through Web Pay is immediate; it's due by the 15th day of the 4th month of the LLC's tax year. | Every year, by the 15th day of the 4th month of the tax year. |
| Packaging producer registration (EPR) | CalRecycle, through Circular Action Alliance | Varies | Not listed | Not listed |
| Proposition 65 warning labels | California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment | Free | Nothing is filed with or approved by OEHHA, so there's no processing time; the business decides whether a warning is needed and must have it in place itself. | Not listed |
| Change in Licensee Information / Licensed Premises | California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control | Varies | Not listed | Not listed |
City guides in California
Every filing links to the agency's own page, and every fact comes from an official form or agency page. Agency requirements change; check the agency's page before you file. How we source and check these guides
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