Business Licenses

Business Licenses can be purchased at the City Clerk's Office. It is unlawful for any person to transact and carry on any business, trade, profession, calling, or occupation in the City of Arvin without first having procured a license from the City to do so or without complying with any and all applicable provisions of the Arvin Municipal Code.

All completed business license applications for the calendar year 2022 that were submitted to the City Clerk's Office on or prior to Oct 2022 and paid in full have been processed and issued. If you have submitted a renewal application for the calendar year 2022 and you have not yet received your City of Arvin Business License, the City may not have obtained either your payment of fees due, a signature on the application, or other pertinent information on the application. These items may be submitted to the City Clerk's Office by mail to:
City Hall, Business Licensing
P.O. Box 548
Arvin, CA 93203

Email: cvela@arvin.org

Renewals

Business License Application renewals and fees are due annually on January 1st.  A penalty fee of 50% of the original fee applies if the appropriate fee is not paid within 30 days.  If the new total fee is not paid within another 30 days, an additional penalty of 100% of the original fee will be added.  New applicants filing for licenses after July 1st will be charged 50% of the otherwise applicable fee.  Unpaid fees for business license renewals that were due by January 31st, are considered late.

Business License Fee Schedule

• $54 Local Businesses with 5 or fewer employees
• $104 Local Businesses with 6 to 24 employees
• $254 Local Businesses with 25 or more employees
• $54 All businesses located outside of Arvin

City Ordinances

Issuance of a business license does not allow you to engage in a business whose operation would be in violation of other City Ordinances. Chapter 5.04 of the City of Arvin Municipal Code states that licenses are subject to all City regulations, state and other regulatory agencies, including those pertaining to health and safety, use of property, and zoning. You are urged to check with the appropriate City Departments and other regulatory agencies for further information about these regulations prior to paying for your license(s).

Business Cancellation

If you are no longer conducting business within the City of Arvin, please print and complete the Notice of Business License Cancellation Form (PDF) and forward this form to the City Clerk's Office, as soon as possible, to:
City Hall, Business Licensing
P.O. Box 548
Arvin, CA 93203

Please contact the City Clerk's Office at (661) 854-3134 for inquiries related to requirements, registration and permits for your business license.

California Department of Tax and Fee Administration

Business owners may also be required to register and obtain a seller's permit from the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration.  To obtain a seller's permit or for information related to California's sales and use taxes, please contact the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration at 1800 30th Street, Suite 380, Bakersfield, CA 93301, Phone (661) 395-2880 or visit their website at www.cdtfa.ca.gov.  You may also visit the CalGold website at www.calgold.ca.gov.  CalGold is a comprehensive website that assists business owners in finding the appropriate permit information for their business.  It also provides contact information for the various agencies that administer and issue permits, including those for cities, counties, and various other departments.