//Fresno, California

How to start a business in Fresno.

Fresno is the largest city in the Central Valley and the front door to a major farm county. From food processing and ag technology to Community Medical Centers, Fresno State, and a downtown being rebuilt around the coming high-speed rail hub, the local economy is broad. Here is the practical sequence to register, license, and open, with the official links and where to get free help.

Starting a business in Fresno? The official steps and source links are below.

Already operating or launching with budget in place? You can also

Fresno anchors a valley that grows hundreds of crops, and that engine shapes the whole city. Packing houses, cold storage, food manufacturers, and the irrigation and ag technology firms that serve them all cluster here, alongside the logistics operations that move the harvest out. Layer on Community Medical Centers, a major regional employer, plus Fresno State, and you have a market that runs on far more than any single industry.

Downtown and the historic Tower District are drawing new restaurants, shops, and independent operators, and the high-speed rail line taking shape through the middle of the city has put a spotlight on the corridor for years to come. Whether your customer is a grower, a hospital worker, a Fresno State student, or a family in the Tower District, getting open cleanly is the first step. That means an approved Zone Clearance, the right Business Tax Certificate, and any permits your trade needs. Getting found afterward is the second. This guide covers the first in detail, then points you to the second at the end.

//The sequence

How to start a business in Fresno, step by step.

Fresno runs business registration through the Finance Department's Business Tax Division, and it asks you to clear zoning with the Planning Division first. Requirements vary by entity, location and industry, so use the city, county and state sources below to confirm what applies to yours.

1
Register the business and the name
Form an LLC or corporation with the California Secretary of State through bizfile Online first, or stay a sole proprietor; the county clerk asks for the Secretary of State file number on a business name filed by an LLC or corporation. If you use a name that is not your legal name, file a fictitious business name (DBA) statement with the Fresno County Clerk no later than 40 days after you start doing business: by mail, which the clerk recommends, to 2221 Kern Street, Fresno (processed within 5 business days of receipt), or in person by appointment, with original signatures. It costs $35 for the first name and $7 for each additional name or registrant. Publish it within 45 days of filing, once a week for four weeks, then file the affidavit of publication within 45 days after the last one.
CA Secretary of State: bizfile Online Fresno County Clerk: Fictitious Business Names
2
Get your free EIN and any seller's permit
The IRS says you generally need an EIN to hire employees or to operate a partnership or corporation. It issues the number online, immediately if approved, and never charges for it. If you sell or lease goods that would ordinarily be subject to sales tax, you also need a seller's permit from the CDTFA, which does not charge for it but may ask for a security deposit.
IRS: Get an EIN CDTFA: Seller's permit
3
Get a zone clearance first
A zone clearance is required before you apply for a new Business Tax Certificate. It confirms the use is allowed at the address with no Conditional Use Permit or other entitlement needed. Apply through the city's Accela Citizen Access portal; processing takes up to 14 business days from acceptance, and there is a fee. Planning: (559) 621-8277, planning@fresno.gov.
City of Fresno: Zone Clearance
4
Get your Fresno Business Tax Certificate
Owners of businesses operating in the City of Fresno need a Business Tax Certificate under the Fresno Municipal Code; the city says it is for tax purposes and is not a business permit. Apply online, by mail with the printable application and $14 (the application processing fee and state-mandated fee), or in person at City Hall, 2600 Fresno Street, First Floor, Room 1096, with the approved zone clearance ready. Business Tax Division: (559) 621-6880, businesstax@fresno.gov.
City of Fresno: Business Tax Certificate
5
Know the renewal and the late fees
The tax is a flat rate or based on gross receipts, depending on your classification. Most certificates renew every six months, some every year, and the tax is due within 30 days after each period ends, whether or not the form reaches you. Late fees start at 20% or more, and the percentage is added again every 30 days.
City of Fresno: Business Tax FAQ
6
Check Police and Fire, then pull any industry permits
The city says it is your responsibility to check with the Fresno Police and Fire Departments for any additional requirements at your location. If you sell or serve food: Anyone selling or giving away food to the public needs a Permit to Operate from Fresno County Environmental Health first, and permits do not transfer to a new owner. To build or remodel, submit two complete sets of plans; they are reviewed in the order received once the plan check fee is paid: (559) 600-3357. For other permits, GO-Biz offers permitting and regulatory help for any size company.
Fresno County Environmental Health: Food Permit Fresno County Environmental Health: Consumer Food Plan Check GO-Biz: Permit & Regulatory Assistance
7
Report business equipment to the Assessor
Any business the Fresno County Assessor asks in writing, and anyone whose business personal property cost more than $100,000, files a business property statement by April 1. May 7 is the last day before a penalty, and no extensions are granted. Most statements can be filed online through e-SDR.
Fresno County Assessor: Business Personal Property
8
Check the $800 California tax rules for your entity
Every California LLC owes the $800 annual tax, even in a year it does no business, until it is cancelled. Corporations owe an $800 minimum franchise tax, but newly incorporated or qualified corporations do not pay it in their first taxable year.
Franchise Tax Board: LLC $800 annual tax Franchise Tax Board: Corporation minimum tax
9
Use the free help that already exists
The Valley Community SBDC offers no-cost, confidential, one-to-one advising, including business plans, marketing and sales, funding and government contracting, for Fresno, Madera, Kings and Tulare counties: 390 W. Fir Avenue, Suite 300, Clovis, (559) 324-6403. Use it before you pay a consultant.
Valley Community SBDC (free advising)

//Free Fresno checklist

Take the steps with you.

Get the City of Fresno business checklist with the city, county, state and federal source links in one place, plus the licensing offices of all 15 Fresno County cities. We keep the source page dated so you can see when it was last checked.

//Common questions

Things we get asked first.

Do I need a business license in Fresno?

Yes. Owners of businesses operating in the City of Fresno need a Business Tax Certificate under the Fresno Municipal Code. The city says it is for tax purposes and is not a business permit, and a new certificate needs an approved zone clearance first. Business Tax Division: (559) 621-6880.

Source: City of Fresno, Business License and Tax Certificate

What is a Zone Clearance and why do I need it first?

It confirms your use is allowed at the address with no Conditional Use Permit or other entitlement needed, and it is required before you apply for a new Business Tax Certificate. Apply through the city's Accela Citizen Access portal; processing takes up to 14 business days from acceptance, and there is a fee.

Source: City of Fresno, Zone Clearance

How often do I renew a Fresno Business Tax Certificate?

Most certificates renew every six months, and some every year. The tax is due within 30 days after the period ends, whether or not the form reaches you; late fees start at 20% or more and are added again every 30 days.

Source: City of Fresno, Business Tax FAQ

Can I run a business from my home in Fresno?

You still need the Business Tax Certificate, and the city requires an approved zone clearance before any new certificate, confirming the use is allowed at the address. Ask Planning about your address before you start: (559) 621-8277.

Sources: City of Fresno, Zone Clearance; Business License and Tax Certificate

How do I open a restaurant in Fresno?

Beyond the zone clearance and your Fresno Business Tax Certificate, anyone selling or giving away food to the public needs a Permit to Operate from Fresno County Environmental Health first. To build or remodel, submit two complete sets of plans, reviewed in the order received once the plan check fee is paid, and keep the approved plans on site until the final inspection. Permits do not transfer to a new owner. (559) 600-3357.

Sources: Fresno County Environmental Health, Food Facility Permit Information; Consumer Food Plan Check

Where can I get free help starting my business?

The Valley Community SBDC offers no-cost, confidential, one-to-one advising, including business plans, marketing and sales, funding and government contracting, for Fresno, Madera, Kings and Tulare counties: 390 W. Fir Avenue, Suite 300, Clovis, (559) 324-6403. Use it before you pay a consultant.

Source: Valley Community SBDC

//Already operating?

The marketing question starts after the filing question.

If the business is already open, or the launch is funded, tell our founders what you want to change. We will look at the business before recommending SEO, paid media, the website or anything else.

For operating businesses and funded launches with budget available to act on the plan.

Prefer to read first? Marketing agency serving Fresno

//Bookmark these

Official Fresno, Fresno County, and California resources.

Every link here goes straight to a government or nonprofit source. These are the agencies that actually issue your registrations and permits, so go to them directly rather than a paid middleman.

City of Fresno: Business Tax Certificate
Required to do business in the City of Fresno. Apply online, by mail or at City Hall once your zone clearance is approved. (559) 621-6880.
City of Fresno: Zone Clearance
Confirms the use is allowed at the address. Required before a new tax certificate; processing takes up to 14 business days from acceptance.
City of Fresno: Business Tax FAQ
Six-month and annual renewals, the 30-day tax deadline and late fees.
Fresno County Assessor: Assessed Value Lookup
Shows your parcel's Tax Rate Area. A TRA from 001 to 015 is inside a city; a higher number is unincorporated.
Fresno County: Business License (unincorporated areas)
The Tax Collector licenses certain business types in unincorporated Fresno County, such as secondhand dealers and firearm sellers.
Fresno County Clerk: Fictitious Business Names
$35 for the first name, $7 for each additional name or registrant. Mail filings are processed within 5 business days of receipt.
Fresno County Environmental Health: Food Permit
Anyone selling or giving away food to the public needs a Permit to Operate first. Permits are not transferable. (559) 600-3357.
Fresno County Environmental Health: Consumer Food Plan Check
Two complete sets of plans, reviewed in the order received once the plan check fee is paid.
Fresno County: Cottage Food Operations
Selling approved low-risk foods made in your home kitchen. Class A and Class B operations both register with the county.
Fresno County Assessor: Business Personal Property
Due April 1 if the Assessor asks or your business property cost more than $100,000; May 7 is the last day before a penalty.
Valley Community SBDC (free advising)
No-cost, confidential advising for Fresno, Madera, Kings and Tulare counties. 390 W. Fir Avenue, Suite 300, Clovis. (559) 324-6403.
CA Secretary of State: bizfile Online
Where LLCs and corporations file with the California Secretary of State.
IRS: Get an EIN
Your federal tax ID. Apply online and, if approved, the number is issued immediately. The IRS never charges a fee for an EIN.
CDTFA: Seller's permit
Required if you sell or lease goods that would ordinarily be subject to sales tax. The CDTFA does not charge for it, though it may ask for a security deposit.
Franchise Tax Board: LLC $800 annual tax
Every LLC doing business or organized in California owes the $800 annual tax, even in a year it does no business, until the LLC is cancelled.
Franchise Tax Board: Corporation minimum tax
Corporations owe an $800 minimum franchise tax, but newly incorporated or qualified corporations do not pay it in their first taxable year.
GO-Biz: Permit & Regulatory Assistance
The Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development says it will assist any size company with permitting and regulatory questions.