Business License / Transient Occupancy Tax (T.O.T.)

Before you begin, contact

Planning : (951) 922-3125
Building & Safety : (951) 922-3120

The City of Banning can answer questions you may have, including:

- ZONING: Is the prospective location or building you are looking at Zoned for the type of business you plan to engage in?
- BUILDING: Is the building up to present City Codes (structural, electrical, etc.)?

City of Banning Business License Online Application: What you need to know to Start your Business

CLICK HERE to visit the Business License Portal                   CLICK HERE for Transient Occupancy Tax (T.O.T.)

BEFORE APPLYING! Please have ready the following items that may apply to your business:

Sales: Anyone selling products must have a State Sellers Permit. If you are an in-city business, you must provide a copy of your Seller's Permit when you apply. Please note your permit must show the Banning, CA address. The California Department of Tax and Fee Administration will be able to provide address changes if needed.

Business Name: If a Fictitious Business Name is used, it must be filed through the Riverside County Clerk & Recorder

Ownership: Employee identification numbers are required for all new businesses.  Sole owners or partnerships are required to provide Social Security numbers for all owners/partners.  LLC, Limited Partnership, Trust, or Corporations are required to provide a Federal Employee Identification Number (FEIN) or State Employee Identification Number (SEIN) for the business.

Employers: If you have employees, you must provide a State ID Number (EDD). 

If you operate a business that is licensed by a state agency (such as contractors) you must provide your State License number, type, and expiration.

Independent Contractor: Or Booth Rental License is for individuals working in an existing licensed business (ex., barbers, hairstylists, real estate agents and massage therapists.)

Peddler/Solicitor License: is required for individuals or organizations that wish to engage in door-to-door sales.

Need Assistance: For more information, contact the Business License Department at (707) 387-9807 or email us at Banning@hdlgov.com or BanningTOT@hdlgov.com

SIC Codes: A SIC Code describes the primary business activity of a company. SIC codes with more than 10,000 unique classifications have been extended to create the most accurate way to target businesses. Go to SICCODE.com to find your SIC Code.

Businesses often use the SIC code lookup to identify companies within specific industries for marketing purposes. By determining the SIC code of their best clients, they can use this information to acquire more customers within that industry successfully.

After Submitting your application online, you’ll receive a confirmation email acknowledging that we have received it. You may receive an additional email asking for further detailed information, including review and approval by the Planning Department. After the application is approved, you will receive an email notifying you of the approval and instructions on how to submit payment.

Payment: No payment will be required until your application has been reviewed and accepted. You will receive an email verifying the receipt of the application.  Within 7-14 business days, you will receive an email containing the amount due and instructions on how to make payment online.

Renewals: All annual business taxes expire at the end of the month the business opened. The business tax is due and payable at the beginning of the preceding month.

The City of Banning would like to welcome you to its business community. 

We wish you the greatest success in your new venture!

GETTING YOUR BUSINESS LICENSE

If your business will be in a new or existing building, it MUST be inspected to ensure it passes local building and business codes. Your business might also have a sign or other special items, such as a commercial hood or sand trap. You'll need to contact the City's Planning Department.

- SIGNS: If you plan to erect advertising structures, you must apply for Sign Application & Code.
- MISCELLANEOUS: Commercial hoods, grease and/or sand traps, Building Permits, etc., may be required before your business can be opened.

Special permits are required for solicitors, sidewalk vendors, food trucks, secondhand dealers, swap meets, amusement centers, tow trucks, taxis, bingo games, yard sales, dog kennels, ambulances, large family daycare centers, alarms, filming, and painting numbers on curbs.

The payment of a business license fee for transacting and carrying on business under Title V will not relieve you from the payment of any fee for the privilege of doing such business required under any other ordinance of the City or the regulatory provision of other ordinances.

If you change location - or business ownership
Upon receipt of a business license, a change of location or ownership of the business should be filed with HDL. A new application is required for both instances. A change of location will not incur an additional license fee, but there is a nominal fee for a replacement license. A change of ownership is treated as a new business.

Business Emergency Information
Please complete and return a Business Contact Card with the Banning Police Department. This is for your benefit in the event of an emergency.