To inquire by email, please email: bl@fairfield.ca.gov and include your business name and/or business license account number.

To contact us by phone, please call 707.428.7509 -- City Hall is closed the first and third Fridays of the month.

The Community Development counter offers public access computers (accessible 8:00am to 5:00pm) on the 2nd floor of City Hall, 1000 Webster St, Fairfield, CA 94533 so that you may submit business license applications and renewals, if you do not have access to a computer at your home. Please note that Community Development/Business Licensing is a paperless office and you will receive your business license via email. If you need to print out your business license, please visit the  neighboring Civic Center Solano County Library to utilize their printing services.

The normal business hours for counter assistance/questions are 8:00am to 5:30pm and closed 12:00pm to 1:00pm for lunch. Note that City Hall is closed the 1st and 3rd Fridays of the month. The counter is also closed weekly 7:30am to 9:30am on Wednesdays for staff meetings, if a meeting is scheduled.

We accept all major credit cards including e-checks through the online portal. Checks and cash are accepted for in-person payments.

For new businesses, the business license tax is prorated based at the time of application and charged the first tax bracket. Please click here to download the tax table and below is the proration schedule:

• The first quarter, January through March, is charged 100%

• The second quarter, April through June, is charged 75%

• The third quarter, July through September, is charged 50%

• The fourth quarter, October through December, is charged 25%

For the first business license for outside city limits contractors pulling building permits or consultants/vendors contracted with the City of Fairfield, the tax is not prorated and based on a calendar year (or pro-ration) of the contract price if multi-year services or projects, or the full contract price if less than a calendar year. Please type in this total on the application.

In addition, the $4 CASp fee applies to all business licenses, including exempt and excluded business types.

Businesses located in the Parking and Business Improvement Area (PBIA) as defined on page three of the business license application (most of the downtown area) and charged an additional fee of  $1.35 per $1.00 of the business license tax. Please click here to download the map and more information.

Please note that businesses located within the North Texas Street Business Association (NTSBA) zones are charged an additional fee at the time of business license renewal. This fee is calculated based on which zone the business is located, the business type, and the number of employees that are employed. Please click here to download the fee schedule.

Business License Required

All businesses that operate within the City of Fairfield are required to obtain a business license, per Municipal Code Chapter 10B. Businesses can apply online -- the link is at the top of this webpage. Please note that you will not have to pay until the license application is approved. 

If your commercial business is located within Travis AFB (i.e. 94535), the City of Fairfield business license requirement still applies. Please submit your business license application through the online portal. If you are a home-based business (any business type) located on Travis AFB, you are NOT required to submit the Home Occupation Permit Application. Storefront businesses are not charged the Zoning Clearance fee.

Home-Based Businesses Within the City Limits

If you operate a business from your home (home office, online retail, etc.) and do not operate a brick-and-mortar location in a commercial zone, you must comply with City ordinances and policies. Home-based businesses must be clearly incidental and accessory to the use of the residence as a home. Operators of home-based businesses must fill out a Home Occupation Permit Application along with their Business License Application online. The City charges a Home Occupation Permit fee in addition to the business license tax and must be submitted once the application is approved. Please note that if you are a home business based outside the City of Fairfield, the Home Occupation fee does not apply.

Locating Your Business -- City of Fairfield

Before you sign a lease, purchase a commercial building, or begin operating a business from your home, please contact the Planning Division of the Community Development Department to make sure that your business is a permitted use for that property. To talk to a planner about the zoning regulations of your planned business site, please call 707.428.7461 or email planning@fairfield.ca.gov. They’ll explain where you can locate your type of business and what special requirements, including Conditional Use Permits, that may apply. The Community Development counter is also open for in-person assistance.

Obtaining a Certificate of Occupancy

All businesses (except home occupations) must apply for a Certificate of Occupancy. A Certificate of Occupancy is completed by sending a site/floor plan that includes use of spaces and rooms, measurements of the interior and exterior walls, entrances/exits, etc. this will be used to calculate the occupancy load of your business or office. If you have submitted a building permit application for a tenant improvement, a certificate of occupancy will be issued at the finalization of your building permit/tenant improvement project. Fees will apply to file for a standalone Certificate of Occupancy process.

Obtaining a Seller's Permit -- State of California

You must obtain a seller's permit if you:

• Are engaged in business in California

Both wholesalers and retailers must apply for a seller's permit. For more information, please contact the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA) at their local office by calling 707.427.4800. The nearest local office is located at 2480 Hilborn Road, Suite 200, Fairfield, CA 94534 in the Highland Corporate Center.

Federal and State Identification Numbers (i.e. EIN/State Employer ID)

If you employ workers in your business, you must have a State Identification Number and a Federal Employer Identification Number to report employee taxes. For more information, contact the California Employment Development Department (EDD) at 1.888.745.3886.  The nearest local office to obtain forms is located at 1440 Marin Street, Suite 114, Vallejo, CA 94590. For a full-service California Taxpayer Service Center, the nearest office is located at 3321 Power Inn Rd, Suite 220, Sacramento, CA 95826.

To obtain a Federal EIN,  apply online at the Internal Revenue Service website or call 1.800.829.3676 for more information.

Employment Development Department

If your business employs staff, please visit the Employment Development Department for registering as an employer and payroll tax reporting, and other information and resources.

Fictitious Business Name

If you plan to use a fictitious business name (a name different from your own), you must apply with Solano County to make sure that no one else is using that name. Banks often require this document when establishing a business account--verify with your bank if this is required. You can apply online by visiting their website. For more information, contact the Solano County Treasurer/Tax Collector/County Clerk at 707.784.7485, or visit 675 Texas Street, Suite 1900, Fairfield, CA 94533.

Health Permit -- Solano County

If your business involves food, such as a restaurant, prepping/heating, catering, food truck, etc., you must apply for a Health Permit from Solano County Department of Resource Management/Environmental Health Services. For more information, visit their website or call 707.784.6765--they are located at 675 Texas St, Suite 5500, Fairfield, CA 94533.

Secretary of State, Business Programs -- State of California

The State offers resources and support for businesses, including corporate formation. To file online (i.e. LLC), please visit their website for more information.

Businesses that are exempt or excluded must still apply for a business license but at no cost.

The following is taken from Chapter 10B from the City of Fairfield Municipal Code:

10B.15 Exemptions.

The following are exempted from the payment of a license tax under this chapter:

(a)    Any charitable institution, organization, or association organized and conducted for charitable purposes only. The exemption shall not apply to promoters employed by charitable organizations.

(b)    Any honorably discharged or honorably relieved soldier, sailor or marine of the United States who is physically unable to obtain a livelihood by manual labor, or any person who is considered disabled under Social Security law and can demonstrate that he/she receives supplemental Social Security income for disabled persons, and who is a voter of this state, distributing circulars or hawking, peddling or vending any goods, wares or merchandise owned by him/her, except alcoholic beverages at any place in the city other than a fixed place of business.

(c)    Any natural person of eighteen years of age or less whose annual gross receipts from any and all business are seven hundred fifty dollars or less.

(d)    Any person conducting or staging any concert, exhibition, lecture, dance, amusement or entertainment where the receipts, if any are derived from, are to be used solely for charitable or benevolent purposes and not for private gain or for the private gain of any person in whole or in part.

(e)    Any public utility which pays to the city a tax under a franchise or similar agreement.

(f)    Any religious, fraternal, educational, military, state, county or municipal organization or association conducting any business which is open to members thereof only and not open to the public.

(g)    Any religious, fraternal, educational, military, state, county or municipal organization or association conducting or staging any amusement or entertainment, concert, exhibition, lecture, dance or athletic event, when the receipts derived are to be wholly for the benefit of such organization and not in the whole or any part for private gain of any person. (Ord. No. 2010-09, § 1; Ord. No. 2013-14, § 1.)

10B.16 Exclusions.

Except as may be otherwise specifically provided in this chapter, the terms hereof shall not be deemed or construed to apply to any of the following persons:

(a)    Banks, to the extent that a city may not levy a license tax upon them under the provisions of Article XIII, Section 27, of the California Constitution.

(b)    Insurance companies and associations to the extent that a city may not levy a license tax upon them under the provisions of Article XIII, Section 28 of the California Constitution.

(c)    Financial corporations and banks to the extent the city may not levy a license tax upon them under Revenue and Taxation Code section 23182. (Ord. No. 85-24, § 1.)

(d)    Any person whom the city is not authorized to license under any law or constitution of the United States or the state. The collector may require the filing of a verified statement from any person claiming to be excluded by the provisions of this section which statement shall set forth all facts upon which the exclusion is claimed. (Ord. No. 2013-14, § 1.)

Select the following link below for information on pursuing a complaint against a business:

• Complaints against a business can be lodged with the State of California Department of Justice--Office of the Attorney General

• Complaints against a business that violates Fairfield Municipal Code and other local laws, please contact Code Enforcement - Police Department

• Complaints against a cannabis business, please contact the Department of Cannabis Control and if located within the City of Fairfield, also contact Community Development - Planning Division

• Complaints against a contractor can be made at the Contractors State Licensing Board website

The following is a list of tips to keep your Business License account active and free from penalties/late fees:

• Business licenses must be renewed by January 31st to avoid penalties

• Calendar your business license expiration for December 31st and set it to repeat annually as a reminder (e.g. Google Calendar, Outlook)—renewal notices are emailed the first week of December

• Use a general email address for the Business License contact as you may lose important announcements and reminders or delegate a specific email that staff have access to anytime (e.g. info@yourbusiness.com or businesslicense@yourbusiness.com)

• Add “bl@fairfield.ca.gov” to your contact list to keep City messages from going to your email spam folder

• Log-in to the business license portal and update your business license information whenever there are changes—this includes closing your business so you will stop receiving notices and cease business license tax penalty collection actions

Email bl@fairfield.ca.gov, call 707.428.7509, or visit the Community Development/Business Licensing counter at City Hall for help.

Fairfield-Suisun Chamber of Commerce

The Chamber of Commerce is an advocate for area businesses, as well as offering networking opportunities and special events. Visit their website or call 707.425.4625 for more information. Their office is located at 1111 Webster St, Fairfield, CA 94533.

Solano Napa Small Business Development Center

The Solano Napa SBDC provides support, training, and a wealth of information for area small businesses and entrepreneurs. Visit their website or call 707.646.1071 for more information. They are located at 500 Chadbourne Rd, Fairfield, CA 945334.

Solano Economic Development Corporation

EDC provides assistance to business seeking to locate in Solano County and its cities, as well as providing a wealth of knowledge and resources about the County. Visit their website or call 1.888.864.1855 for more information. They are located at 5050 Business Center Dr., Suite 200, Fairfield, CA 94534.

CalSOBA -- California Office of the Small Business Advocate

 CalSOBA supports economic growth by providing resources and support to the state's 4.1 million small businesses. Please visit their website for more information.

CalGold -- State Permit System Reference

CalGold is a business permit system reference for help in obtaining permits and licenses anywhere in the state. Simply select the type of business you plan on opening and enter the address to find out permitting information for opening a new business.

SB 205

The State of California enacted AB 205 and became effective January 1, 2020. This requires certain businesses to demonstrate enrollment in a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) storm water permit, if it is required. For more information, please click here.

Please click to download the City of Fairfield SB 205 Compliance Form.

AB 1607

The State of California enacted AB 1607 which requires the prevention of gender-based discrimination by business establishments. A full notice is available in English or other languages by going to: www.dca.ca.gov/publications or click here for the notice in English.  For the legislative text, click here.

AB 3002

The State of California enacted AB 3002, which updated Section 4469.5 to the Government Code, relating to disability access.  Per AB 3002, the City shall make a disability access notice, known as “The Model Notice”, available to applicants for commercial building permits or commercial business licenses. The Model Notice provides information on compliance requirements under both state and federal law and an advisory strongly encouraging the applicant to obtain a CASp consultation and inspection.

The Model Notice to Applicants for Commercial Business Licenses and Commercial Building Permits:

• English version

• Spanish version: REQUISITOS DE ACCESO PARA DISCAPACIDAD Y RECURSOS

• Tagalog version: MGA KINAKAILANGAN SA NG KAOANSANAN PROSESO

• Korean version:  장애인접근성요구사항및자료

• Vietnamese version: YÊU CẦ U VÀ TÀI NGUYÊN VỀ QUYỀ N TIẾ P CẬ N CHO NGƯ Ờ I KHUYẾ T TẬ T

• Chinese Traditional: 殘疾人無障礙環境要求及資源

• Chinese Simplified: 残疾人无障碍环境要求及资源

You may obtain a copy of the AB 3002 mandate by clicking on the link.

AB 1379

The State of California enacted AB 1379, which updated SB 1186 and raised the fees on new business licenses from $1.00 to $4.00.  Per AB 1379, the City now collects the $4.00 State fee on every applicant for a local business license or business license renewal.  The fee is required to be collected by all cities and counties throughout California, including the City of Fairfield.  Accordingly, the City's Business License application has been revised to include this new fee.  The original SB 1186 also required that applicants be provided the following notice:

Under federal and state law, compliance with disability access laws is a serious and significant responsibility that applies to all California building owners and tenants with buildings open to the public.  You may obtain information about your legal obligations and how to comply with disability access laws at the following agencies:

The Division of the State Architect at www.dgs.ca.gov/dsa

The Department of Rehabilitation at www.dor.ca.gov

The California Commission on Disability Access at www.dgs.ca.gov/ccda

You may obtain a copy of the SB1186 mandate at http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov

Why am I being charged a flat rate?

Several business types are taxed on a City adopted flat rate fee. If you are any of the following business types, you will have to pay the associated flat rate renewal fee:

• Day Care (e.g., Personal Care Centers)
• Trucking
• Solicitor/Peddler/Itinerant Merchant
• Pawnbroker
• Auctioneer

How much do I pay if I am a Non-Profit or Veteran Disability Exempt?

Non-Profit, SSI/Disability, and Veteran businesses (sole-proprietorship or single member LLC only) do not have to pay the City associated business license tax. However, the state CASp fee and the Home Occupation Permit fee still applies.

How do I close a business license?

If you are no longer doing business in the City of Fairfield, you may close your account by logging into the online portal: https://eservices.fairfield.ca.gov/hdlweb. Click on the ‘Request to Close a Business’ link following the step-by-step instructions You may also come to the Community Development Counter for assistance in closing your business license.

How do I transfer ownership of my business license?

Business licenses are not transferrable. If you are no longer the operator/owner of the business, you will need to close the business license account that is in your name. You may close your account as described in the Q&A above. The new business owner will then have to apply for a new business license in their name.

Didn’t see your questions answered here? Feel free to contact our offices at 707-428-7509, bl@fairfield.ca.gov, or visit the Community Development Department at City Hall, 2^nd Floor,1000 Webster Street, Fairfield, CA 94533.