Business License Fees
Contractors Fees
| Contractors Located in Los Altos | ||
| Business Type | License Duration | Base Fee Total Fee* |
| General Contractor (A or B) | One (1) Year | $150.00 $ 154.00 |
| Sub-Contractor | One (1) Year | $ 75.00 $ 79.00 |
| Contractors Located Outside of Los Altos | ||
| Business Type | License Duration | Base Fee Total Fee* |
| General Contractor (A or B) | One (1) Year | $ 150.00 $ 154.00 |
| General Contractor (A or B) | Six (6) Months | $ 75.00 $ 79.00 |
| Sub-Contractor | One (1) Year | $ 75.00 $ 79.00 |
| Sub-Contractor | Six (6) Months | $ 37.50 $ 41.50 |
*On October 11, 2017 Governor Brown signed into law AB 1379 which adds a state fee of $4 to each application for a local business license or similar instrument or permit, or renewal thereof.
**These licenses generally are for a term of one (1) year, however, those contractors located outside of Los Altos can opt for a six (6) months term: (January - June) or (July - December).
All Other Businesses
| Business Type | Base Fee* | Additional Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Retail / Service / Manufacturing, Wholesaling or Processing (Supplemental Form required for Manufacturing) | $ 75.00 first 5 employees, including owner/manager | $ 10.00 /additional employee |
| Business Professional / Real Estate/Massage Therapist (Permit from LAPD required for Massage Therapist) | $180 up to 5 non-professional and 1 professional, including owner/manager | $ 75.00 /additional professional
$ 10.00 /additional non-professional |
| Vehicle Delivery / Beauty Salon / Nail Salon / Barber | $ 75.00 for 1 vehicle or chair | $ 25.00 /additional vehicle or chair |
|
Apartment / Hotel / Motel / Rental Unit - 30+ days |
$ 75.00 for up to 5 units |
$ 5.00 /additional unit |
| Mobile Food Vendor (Permit from LAPD required) | $ 255.00 for first 5 employees, including owner/manager | $ 10.00/additional employee |
*On October 11, 2017 Governor Brown signed into law AB 1379 which adds a state fee of $4 to each application for a local business license or similar instrument or permit, or renewal thereof.
You may obtain information about your legal obligations and how to comply with disability access laws here:
Please note that per the Los Altos Municipal Code 4.04.490, the maximum business license tax shall not exceed $3,200. This maximum is set on the tax itself and does not apply to AB 1379, late fees, or zoning fees.
Updated August 2021
