Business License

Per Chapter 5 of the Union City Municipal Code, a business license is needed for all businesses, trades, professions, callings, and occupations operating in Union City. Also, if you are carrying out business transactions with customers, clients, and tenants in Union City, then you need a business license.

Download and view our business license brochure

The Application Process

In Town Businesses

Complete the REQUIRED Zoning Compliance Review Application:
- Commercial/Industrial
- Residential (Home Occupation)
Once your zoning compliance review application has been approved, please complete an In Town Business License Application, as well as any applicable supplemental forms.

Out Of Town Businesses

You may apply for a Union City Business License by one of the following methods:
- Complete an online application via the Business License Website
- Complete a PDF version of the Out Of Town Business License Application, as well as any applicable supplemental forms (i.e. a completed application packet may be submitted in-person, by e-mail, or via mail)

Regardless of the method chosen to apply for a Business License, please complete the Supplemental Forms that apply to your business location and business type (all forms are downloadable):

Is located at a commercial or industrial site
Is a California state licensed general or sub-contractor
Operates as a mobile food truck vendor
Offers public transportation services (e.g. Taxicab, Limousine, Shuttle, etc.)
Conducts professional services
Performs canvassing or soliciting activities
Offers massage services:
- Massage Services Application
- Massage Services Ordinance
Please complete any Additional Forms that apply to your business (all forms are downloadable):
- Business sells tobacco products, thereby requiring a tobacco license:
  - Tobacco License Application
- Business will be protected by a burglar alarm system, thereby requiring an alarm permit:
  - Alarm Permit Online Registration
  - Alarm Permit Application
- Business will be protected by a security dog, thereby requiring an animal license:
  - Animal License Online Registration
  - Animal License Application
- Business is a regulated industry with stormwater discharge requirements in accordance with the SB 205 National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) program, which requires a stormwater permit:
  - SB 205 State Water Board - Stormwater Permit Information
- Business intends to remodel or make physical changes to the business premises (including signage), which requires the following forms:
- The location where my business operates will be used for high-piled combustible storage and will conform to the requirements of Chapter 23 of the California Fire Code, which requires the following forms:
  - Statement of High Pile/Rack Storage (Form Number FP-002)
  - Fire Permit Application (Form Number FP-003)
- To rent residential property to others:
- To lease commercial property to others:
  - Commercial Leasing Online Registration
  - Commercial Leasing Supplemental Form
- To lease equipment to others:
  - Equipment Leasing Online Registration
  - Equipment Leasing Supplemental Form

Application Considerations

You must submit a new Business License Application for each reason listed below:

New Business
2nd Business Location in Union City
2nd Business Purpose for an Existing Business in Union City*
Ownership Change for Existing Business*
Location Change for Existing Business*
Name Change for Existing Business*

NOTE: For reasons marked with an asterisk (*), you are not eligible to submit an online application.

Business license taxes and fees vary based on the type of business that you operate:

The Review Process

The review process typically takes 3 weeks, but this can vary based on the nature or complexity of your business. Download and view our Pre-Inspection Worksheet.

We will verify the status of any other licenses or permits that you are required to obtain from the following:

Alameda County Clerk Office
- Phone: 510.272.3787
- Alameda County Clerk Office Website
Alameda County Environmental Health
- Phone: 510.567.6700
- Alameda County Environmental Health Website
California Department of Tax & Fee Administration (CDTFA)
- Phone: 510.622.4100
- California Department of Tax & Fee Administration Website
California Secretary of State
- Phone: 916.653.6814
- California Secretary of State Website
California State Water Resources Control Board
- Phone: 866-563-3107
- California State Water Board Website
Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC)
- Phone: 510.622.4970
- California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control Website
Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
- Phone: 800.829.1040
- Internal Revenue Service Website

We will notify you when our review process is completed, and, if approved or conditionally approved, you will be issued a business license. If denied, we will let you know the reasons, and you will have the opportunity to remedy the issues if they can be reasonably corrected.

Steps to Close a Business License

You may request to close a Union City Business License by one of the following methods:
- Submit an online request via the Business License Online Closure Process
- Submit a PDF version of the closing statement (i.e. submit a completed closing statement by e-mail, mail, or in-person)
Your business license account will be closed after your formal request has been received, all other verification documents have been reviewed (if applicable), unpaid business licenses taxes/fees have been paid (if applicable), and it has been determined by City staff that there is no evidence of continued business in Union City
If you should resume business in Union City, please re-apply using the steps shown above

Business Search

For a list of businesses in Union City, please reference our Business Search Instructions. If you have any questions, please contact Business Licensing at Biz-License@UnionCity.Org.