Business License Information
Questions?
951-413-3080
businesslicense@moval.org
Resources
Welcome to the City of Moreno Valley’s Business License information center.
The Business License Team wants to help you start your business in the easiest and quickest manner. Therefore, if you plan to open a business from a residential location including but not limited to a business online, operate a mobile business, or start a business located in a commercial, industrial, or retail location you will need to apply for a City of Moreno Valley Business License.
If you have any questions regarding the business license process, please contact us so we may walk you through the requirements for obtaining your Business License to get your business opened.
Tip: Licensed businesses in Moreno Valley can qualify for Hire Moval incentives including a discount equal to the annual Business License Processing Fee. Learn how...
- New
License - Renew
License - License
Fees - Pay License
Balance - Pay Monthly
Cannabis Tax - Close
License - Search
Businesses - State Law
AB 1379
Getting a New Business License
Operating a new business within the City of Moreno Valley requires specific licenses and permits before the business can operate legally:
- a Certificate of Occupancy if the business is located in a retail or commercial establishment
or - a Home Occupation Permit if the business operates from a residence. This includes online businesses and mobile businesses that do not have a permanent retail or commercial location.
- Cannabis-related businesses have a different application and permit process. Check Commercial Cannabis for details.
Please complete the appropriate paperwork below to begin the business license process.
Business Located Within Moreno Valley
Use the online system:
Click here to APPLY FOR A BUSINESS LICENSE
Or, complete the appropriate application below
and mail the completed paperwork to:
City of Moreno Valley
Attention: Business License Section
P.O. Box 88005
Moreno Valley, CA 92552
Home Occupation Permit/Certificate of Occupancy Application
Apply for a home occupation permit or certificate of occupancy online:
Click herE to Apply for Your Permit
Business Located Outside Moreno Valley
Use the online system:
Click here to APPLY FOR A BUSINESS LICENSE
Or, complete the appropriate application below and mail the completed paperwork to:
City of Moreno Valley
Attention: Business License Section
P.O. Box 88005
Moreno Valley, CA 92552
Business License Renewal
Moreno Valley business licenses are issued annually. Here are the key renewal dates:
- Renewal Notices sent out 2nd week of December
- Business License Renewal Due Date January 31
How to Renew Your Business License
How you renew your business license depends on if it is current, or not:
- Expired Licenses:
Business licenses that have been closed or abandoned require submission of an application for a New Business License. Please refer to the “New License” tab to apply for a new business license. - Current License Holders:
You can renew the business license online. E-filing speeds and simplifies the filing of your business license renewal (“renewal”). Emailed and mailed renewal notices contain the account and PIN numbers required to login to the system. On the “RENEW LICENSE” tab, click the green “RENEW BUSINESS LICENSE” button. Enter the code located below the Code box. Enter your Account # and PIN, click on the “Find Account” button. Review information on the account and enter any updates needed. Click the “Continue” button at the bottom of each page. When entering gross receipts information, if a zero or a negative number is listed further verification will be required. The system automatically calculates your business taxes, accepts VISA, MasterCard or Discover credit card payment and provides you with a receipt confirming your application was received.
For questions, please call 951.413.3080. Staff are available to take calls Monday through Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Not Sure? You can look up businesses online. Check Search Businesses to see how.
Video Tutorials
These helpful videos walk you through the business license renewal and gross receipt calculation processes.
Current Business License Fees
(Note that business license fees are not pro-rated and are valid through the end of the calendar year. Business licenses that are purchased after September 30 will be valid through the end of the following calendar year.)
| Per license | $61 |
| Vehicle Tag (per tag) | $6 |
| Reprint of License (each) | $5 |
| Business Listing (each) | $20 |
Special Event Coordinator/Organizer Event Fees
| Number of Vendors | Fee |
|---|---|
| 10 or Less | $100 per day |
| 11 – 25 | $250 per day |
| 26 – 50 | $500 per day |
| 51 – 100 | $1,000 per day |
| Over 100 | To be Determined by Business License Officer |
| Non-Profit Organizations Receive a 30% Discount on Fees with Proof of 501(c) 3 Letter | |
City business license fees include a processing fee which can be found on the application and a gross receipts tax. All businesses are classified in one of three categories. Each category has a separate gross receipts tax scale:
| Category A (Retail) |
Category B (Services): |
Category C (Professional Services): |
|---|---|---|
| $.25 per $1000 of gross receipts | $.50 per $1000 of gross receipts | $.75 per $1000 of gross receipts |
| (calculate using 0.00025) | (calculate using 0.00050) | (calculate using 0.00075) |
Please refer to the Business License Categories & Application Fees schedule for details on specific business categories.
State Law-AB 1379
Effective January 1, 2018, the State of California has enacted AB 1379 (Dutton; Special Access: liability), a new law which imposes a $4 State fee on every applicant for a local business license or renewal (including all in-city commercial and home-based, landlords, out-of-city, and all contractors. Exempts and non-profits are excluded) and is required to be collected by all cities and counties throughout California, including the City of Moreno Valley.
This new law requires that you be provided the following notices: Under federal and state law, compliance with disability access laws is a serious and significant responsibility that applies to all California building owners and tenants with buildings open to the public. You may obtain information about your legal obligations and how to comply with disability access laws at the following agencies:
Search Businesses
If you're not certain whether or not your business license has expired, you can look it up online.
Moreno Valley business licenses are issued annually:
- Renewal Notices sent out 2nd week of December
- Business License Renewal Due Date January 31
Search Online
You can look up businesses to see if the business license is current.
Pay License Balance
You can now pay any outstanding balance for your business license online:
Pay Monthly Cannabis Tax
Cannabis Business Tax is due monthly on or before the last day of the month following the reporting month.
You can now file and pay or pay a previous balance online:
You can also fill out the form and mail it and your payment to City of Moreno Valley, 14177 Frederick Street, PO Box 88005, Moreno Valley, CA 92552-0805.
Close License
You can now close out your business license online: