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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:
- 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:
- Please complete any Additional Forms that apply to your business (all forms are downloadable):
- Business sells tobacco products, thereby requiring a tobacco license:
- Business will be protected by a burglar alarm system, thereby requiring an alarm permit:
- Business will be protected by a security dog, thereby requiring an animal license:
- 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:
- 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:
- To rent residential property to others:
- To lease commercial property to others:
- To lease equipment to others:
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.
Further Information
If you have questions, you can contact us by:
- Come see us at City Hall during normal business hours.
- Call us at 510.675.5312
- Email us
- View our Business License Brochure