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Business Licenses - About My License

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1. When will my business be issued a license number?

When the license application is accepted the number will be noted in corresponding emails. 

2. How Long is my license good for?

Licenses are valid for one year. 

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Business Licenses - Applying for a License

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1. Why does my information need to be verified?

To authenticate the information provided in the license application. 

2. What happens if I apply without requirements?

Your license application will be rejected and you may reapply when you are ready to provide applicable requirements. 

3. What do I need to apply for a business license?

You will need all of the applicable requirements.

4. Can I apply for a business license if I'm under 18?

A business owner must be 18 years or older to apply.

5. Can I get my business license the same day I apply?

We require time to process and cannot produce an immediate license certificate without first being processed and approved. When a license is approved, certificates are printed, sorted, and mailed in large batches rather than one at a time.

6. Can I get a paper application?

We do not have a paper applications. Our application is embedded online for efficiency purposes. If you are computer illiterate, you may have a family member or friend assist you in completing the online application. 

7. Why do I need a business license if my business is fee exempt?

Some confirmed businesses are fee exempt although they are not exempt from a business license.

8. What happens after I submit my application?

1. Your application will be reviewed by the licensing staff.
2. A fees due notice, which includes: how to pay instructions, license account number, and PIN number, will be emailed to you.
3. When payment is received, we will contact you by email or by phone if we have any questions or require additional information.
4. When all information or applicable requirements have been received; your application will be reviewed for approval or final approval. Businesses located within city limits require final approval for Fire inspection by our Fire Department and zoning and land use by our Planning Department.
5. Upon receiving approval or final approval (for local businesses), the license certificate will be released and mailed.

9. I can’t find my business type, what do I choose?

Choose the business type that best fits your business, otherwise choose business services. Licensing staff will correct your business type to one that best fits your business operations.

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Business Licenses - Fees

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1. What are the penalty and interest charges?

Penalty of 25% of the license fee, plus 1.5% interest of the license fee per month. 

2. Why do I need to provide my annual gross receipt amount?

If your business falls under category I-IV the license base fee is calculated by the annual gross receipt amount. *Flat rate fee schedule supersedes the gross receipt fee schedule. 

3. What is an annual gross receipt amount?

An annual gross receipt amount is all of the businesses received or accrued yearly revenue. *Multiple location businesses are to provide the annual gross receipt amount for the location(s) within Murrieta city limits only. Businesses located outside of city limits who are conducting business within city limits are to provide the annual gross receipt amount for work conducted within Murrieta city limits only. 

4. Why am I being charged for multiple years?

Based on when the business started in Murrieta, the license start date will be set to the true business start date. For example; if a business submits a license application 2 years after the business started, the license fees will include 2 years of license fees plus penalties and interest. 

5. When do late fees start accruing?

30 days after the license expiration date.

6. How much is a business license?

If your business does not fall under a flat rate, license fees are based on annual gross receipt income. View the Fee Schedule (PDF) for more information on fees.

7. Is there a fee to change my business address?

There is a $10 fee if your license is between renewals. There is no fee if the change of address is submitted at the time of renewal.

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Business Licenses - How Long Does It Take

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1. Can I login to my license account to check status?

We do not allow free access to a licensing account, you can log in at the time of renewal, paying a balance, closing/inactivating, or submitting a change of address.

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Business Licenses - Other

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1. Can I use another businesses license?

You cannot use another businesses license, each entity is required to obtain their own license. 

2. Is my Murrieta Business License valid for all cities?

No, your Murrieta business license is only valid within Murrieta city limits; all municipalities have different fee schedules and a universal business license does not exist.

3. Can I get a copy of my license emailed to me?

License certificates are only mailed.

4. Can I print my license?

License certificates are not available electronically and are printed/mailed by licensing staff.

5. Do I need to provide proof on non-profit?

Yes, we require proof of non-profit 501c3 approval. 

6. How far back in license arrears will the city go?

If a businesses start date is years prior to submitting a business license application, the city will go back a maximum of 3 three years plus the current year totaling 4 years, applicable license fees will include interest and penalties. 

7. How do I confirm a business license?

You may search for a business by business name, business address, or business type using our online business search. *Results will include: business license #, business name, start date, expiration date, business address (excluding home occupations), phone number, and website address. 

8. What is my business start date?

A business start date is the start of business (includes advertising) within Murrieta city limits. 

9. I barely have business in Murrieta, do I still need a business license?

Yes, regardless of how much business you have.

10. What's an account number?

An account number is a business license number.

11. Where do I find my license number?

License (account) number can be found on the license certificate, in the emailed renewal notice, and on the renewal form.

12. Where do I get my PIN number?

The PIN number is provided in the emailed renewal reminder and fees due notice, the number does not change. You may have the PIN number emailed to you by clicking on "email my PIN" next to the PIN field. 

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Business Licenses - Receiving Citations

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1. Why am I receiving a Code Enforcement citation?

Your business may receive a Code Enforcement citation for code violations such as but not limited to conducting business on an expired business license, not obtaining a business license, business license address is incorrect, etc.  

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Business Licenses - Renewing

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1. Can I mail in a check for my renewal?

Yes, write your Business License number in the memo of your check, complete the Renewal Worksheet, and mail it in with your check payment. 

2. Do I have to wait for a reminder to renew?

You do not have to wait for a reminder, licenses are automatically eligible to renew up to 90 days prior to the expiration date and within 12 months (online). 

3. Why can't I renew online?

All licenses are eligible to renew online if: there is no Hold on the license, renewing up to 90 days prior to the expiration date, and renewing within 12 months after the license expiration date. 

4. Can I pay for multiple years ahead of time?

No, we process and collect fees for no more than one year ahead up to 90 days prior to the license expiration date.

5. How do I get a renewal invoice?

We do not generate invoices for a business license.

6. When will I receive a renewal reminder?

Emailed renewal reminder notices are sent up to 3 months prior to the expiration month. If you require a paper notice, you may print the emailed reminder. *Licenses can be renewed up to 90 days prior to the expiration date without a reminder. 

7. Can I request a renewal reminder notice?

It is not necessary to request a renewal reminder notice; they are automatically distributed via email up to 3 months prior to the expiration month.

8. Does my business license automatically renew each year?

No, business owners will need to renew each year at the time of renewal.

9. Can I renew over the phone?

Renewals can only be done online, by mail with a printout of the renewal notice email or paper notice, or in-person at the Finance Department (waiting periods may occur).

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Business Licenses - Starting Business

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1. Can I start doing business after I complete an online application?

All license applications are subject to approval, businesses should not start until the application has been approved and license certificate has been released.

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Business Licenses - Updates / Changes

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1. Who can update license information?

Only the businesses listed owners/officers can update the business license information. 

2. Can I update my EIN number?

EIN numbers cannot be updated. Closeout the existing license with the old EIN number and submit a new application with the new EIN number.  

3. How do I close my business license?

Submit an online closeout request.

4. I sold my business, how do I transfer the license?

Business licenses are non-transferable. The license will need to be closed (submit online closeout request) and a new online application completed by the new owner including the applicable requirements.

5. My business has moved, what do I do?

Submit an online change of address request.