Business Licenses

Due to COVID-19, the Finance Department is closed to visitors until further notice.

A business license is required if you do business in the City of Monterey. It is mandatory for all businesses to submit a business license application on or before starting to do business. Business license tax is not refundable or transferable.

All business licenses expire on June 30th and must be renewed by August 15th to avoid late penalties.

Alvarado Street

To renew your business license, click on the Renew My Business License link. For information and instructions click on the general renewal instructions link.

At the time the business license application is completed and the required tax paid, you will receive a receipt. The final business license will be mailed after all appropriate City Departments have reviewed and approved the application. You should not operate the business until all City requirements are met.

The City of Monterey Business Registration Search lists most businesses that hold or have held a City Business registration. The City is unable to guarantee the accuracy or timeliness of the data. To facilitate quick responses, query results are limited to a maximum of 100.

Inside Finance

Contact Us

Lauren Lai, CPA
Finance Director
lai@monterey.org

Jordan Cupps, CPA
Assistant Finance Director
cupps@monterey.org

General Information

Hours
Monday - Friday
8:00am to 5:00pm

Administration
(831) 646-3940

Accounts Payable
(831) 646-3943

Payroll
(831) 646-3942

Revenue – Accounts Receivable, Pet Licenses, Business Licenses
(831) 646-3944

Mailing Address

Finance Department
735 Pacific Street, Suite A
Monterey, CA 93940
Fax: (831) 655-0562
finance@monterey.org

Business License Tax Calculator

This calculator is used to compute the City of Monterey business license tax and promotion fee, if applicable. Please select the appropriate business license section, indicate whether the business is located in one of the City's promotion districts, and input the annual gross receipts. Select the Calculate button and the business license tax calculator will display the corresponding tax and promotion fee.

Business License Web Search

  1. Select one of the following business license sections – refer to your business license renewal form (also referred to as the Affidavit of Gross Receipts) to determine which license section is applicable for your business:

  2. Select one or none of the following promotion districts, as appropriate – refer to your business license renewal form or contact the Revenue Office if you are not sure whether your business is located within a promotion district:

  3. What are the annual gross receipts for your business, (exclusive of liquor sales and sales tax)?
    PLEASE NOTE: DO NOT USE A DOLLAR SIGN ($) or COMMA (,)


 

Business License Resources

Depending on the type of business, the location, and whether alterations are planned for the building or property, other permits and fees may be required. To assure that you meet all City requirements, check with the Planning Office. Additional state and county requirements may apply to your business. Visit the Starting a Business Page for more information.