New Businesses

Business Licenses

Per La Mesa Municipal Code Section 6.04, anyone doing business in the City of La Mesa must have a Business License issued by the City of La Mesa. This includes all businesses within the geographic boundaries of the city; residents working from their homes; out-of-city businesses such as contractors, delivery businesses, etc and professionals.

All new businesses in La Mesa must have a City of La Mesa business license before they open. To begin your process with the City of La Mesa please review the following information:

• Business License Brochure
  This brochure contains helpful tips for starting your new business.
• Fictitious Business Name
  If a fictitious business name is used on your application, it must be filed through the County of San Diego. A fictitious business name is a business name that does not include the surname of the individual owner and each of the partners or the nature of the business is not clearly evident by the name. Please refer all questions for your business name to the County of San Diego at 619.237.0502.
• Ownership
  If a Partnership, Corporation, Limited Liability Corporation, or Trust owns the business, you must provide a Federal ID Number (EIN). If you are a Sole Proprietor you may either use your Social Security Number or a Federal ID Number. Please refer all questions for your business status to the Internal Revenue Service at 800-829-1040.
• Seller's Permit
  A Seller's Permit is required of all persons selling tangible property. This permit must show the City of La Mesa address where the business is being conducted. If you are an in-city business you must provide a copy of your seller's permit when you apply. Please refer all questions for your seller's permit to the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration at 858.385.4700.