County of Marin - Business License & Transient Occupancy Tax

Unincorporated County of Marin Business License Online Application

This business license application is used for multiple business types, not every business requires the same information. Before you begin the application process, please read the following information in its entirety. Application cannot be saved.

Business start date is the first date your business began in the unincorporated area of the County of Marin. If you have been in business for over three years, you will need to provide gross revenue generated in the unincorporated County of Marin for those periods. The fee will be effective 01/01/2017, which includes the annual business license registration fee plus the state-mandated fee, and delinquent penalties up to 50% for each year. Business license is valid for the unincorporated areas of the County of Marin and runs on a fiscal year from July 1 – June 30 each year and renewed annually by July 1st.

Please be sure to have the following information available, as they pertain to your business:

1. Digital copy of State issued ID or driver license for all owners
   
2. Doing Business As (DBA): Digital copy of fictitious business name statement
   
3. Food Establishments: Digital copy of Marin County Health Permit and Alcohol Beverage Control license number (for alcohol sales)
4. For Corporation, LLC and Trust: Secretary of State entity number and FEIN
5. Retail and/or Wholesale Business: California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA) seller’s permit number
6. Contractors: Digital copy of California Contractor’s license number and job cost
7. Residential Property Rentals and Short-Term Rentals: Assessor’s Parcel Number (APN) and number of units.

Living Accommodations:
Short-Term Rentals: Choose Business Type: Living Accommodation (TOT-STR)
Long-Term Rentals or 3 or more dwelling units: Choose Business Type: Rentals- House/Apts/Etc

Standard Industrial Classification Code (SIC) Senate Bill 205
Senate Bill 205 went into effect on January 1,2020, which requires regulated industrial businesses to provide the County of Marin their Stormwater Permit Number (WDID, NONA#/NEC#) and Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) number prior to issuance of a business license.

Once your application is submitted, you will receive two emails. 1) An acknowledgement email while staff reviews the application 2) Email to make a payment or if additional information is required. Your business license number is valid only after payment has been accepted.

We wish you much success on your business!