The City of Pacific Grove welcomes you to its business community. Starting a business can be exciting and challenging. We wish you great success in your new venture!

The City of Pacific Grove requires all businesses operating within the City limits to obtain a business license and pay business license tax prior to commencing business operations.

STEP 1: Obtain Zoning Clearance (required for businesses located inside the City) Home-based and commercial businesses (with a Pacific Grove business address) are required to obtain Zoning Clearance from the Community Development Department. This step is not required for businesses which are headquartered outside the City but conduct business in the City of Pacific Grove.

STEP 2: Apply for a Business License After you have obtained the Zoning Clearance and gathered all necessary documentation, you can then submit your business license application along with required documents using the online filing method. To begin, simply choose the “apply” option below. From the main menu please select the “apply” option to submit a new application for your business. If you need further assistance applying for a business license, you are welcome to contact us at PacificGrovePS@hdlgov.com or by phone Toll-Free at (831) 920-3890. Phone support is available Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm (PST).


To get started, please select one of the online activities below:

Apply
Renew
Pay
Close
  • Close a Business License

    Start here if you do not plan to operate or conduct any business activity in the City of Pacific Grove

Other
Update
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Download Forms

Please download below

Business License Application .pdf   file_download
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Planning / Zoning

Please click below

Zoning Clearance Form .pdf   file_download
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Frequently Asked Questions

A business license is an annual business tax for doing business within the City limits. The City of Pacific Grove Municipal Code requires that you obtain a license when you conduct any business activity within the City, even if your business is located outside of the City limits or if you have a business license from another City. Businesses that are based in the City must also have a business license. This includes home based businesses, building contractors, independent contractors, and non-profit businesses.

Business license taxes and fees help pay for City services like roads, fire, police and other community services. These services benefit businesses, business owners, and the general public.

New businesses must apply for a license within 30 calendar days of their official start date of operation in the City of Pacific Grove. Thereafter, business licenses renew every July 1st and taxes and fees are due by August 1st.

Yes, every business operating from a location inside the City of Pacific Grove will require a Certificate of Occupancy Use Permit. This is to ensure that the business activity and site location are compatible with the City’s municipal code and zoning requirements. Businesses operating at residential (home based) location or at a commercial location in the City require review and approval from the Planning Department.