Business Licenses are a form of taxation. A business license is necessary to insure the consumer that only legitimate businesses are operating and selling goods in Merced. As a business owner, you must obtain a business license whenever you:

· Establish or change location

· Become or change owners, or

· Change the names of your business

The license is only valid for the person and place to which it is issued. All businesses conducting business in the City need a business license, even temporary businesses. Contractors, retailers, service providers, apartment owners, and street vendors all need a business license.

The following procedure should be taken to obtain a business license:

You can download a business license application from the Planning web page or contact the Planning Department and they can assist you in completing the form. The Planning Department will determine if your proposed business is in the proper zoning district. They will also explain other review procedures for signing, remodeling, etc., and may refer you to Merced City Inspection Services for building/fire life safety requirements, Merced County Environmental Health Department, and/or the Merced City Police Department for their respective review process.

For example, certain businesses are of a sensitive nature and require approval by the Police Department before a business license can be issued. Businesses needing police review include, but may not be limited to: sale of alcoholic beverages, card room, pawn shop, secondhand dealers, sale of firearms, massage therapy, private patrols, alarm companies, pool tables, daycare centers, fortune tellers, carnivals, itinerant vendors, etc. For specific information, contact the Merced City Police Department at (209) 385-6912.

CONTACT INFORMATION FOR BUSINESS LICENSE APPLICATIONS

Merced County Clerk (Fictitious Business Name Statement)	2222 M Street (Basement Floor)	209-385-7502
Merced Flea & Farmer's Market  (Saturday)	900 G Street	209-723-3796
Merced County Health Department (Environmental Health)	777 W. 22nd Street	209-381-1100
Merced County Public Health (Medical Health Permits, i.e., massage)	260 E. 15th Street	209-381-1010
Merced County Sheriff’s Dept.	700 W. 22nd Street	209-385-7555
Merced County Planning	2222 M Street	209-385-7654
Commerce Aviation and Economic Development (County Business Licenses)	2507 Heritage Drive, Building 1230, Castle Airport Development Center	209-385-7686 www.co.merced.ca.us
State of California Employment Development (State Tax ID)	1205 W. 18th Street	209-726-5451 (w/employees) 1-800-852-5711 (w/o employees)
State of California Department of Consumer Affairs (Contractor/Handyman State License Board)	3374 E. Shields Ave., Room E-17, Fresno, CA 93726	1-800-321-2752 www.cslb.ca.gov
State of California Board of Equalization(Sales Tax Number)	5070 N 6th St, Suite 110 Fresno, Ca 93721	1-800-400-7115 1-559-248-4219
ABC – Alcohol Beverage Control	31 E. Channel Street, Room 168, Stockton, CA 95202	209-948-7739
State Department of Social Services		1-559-243-4588
Internal Revenue Service (Federal Tax ID Number)		1-800-829-1040
Day Care Licensing		1-559-243-4588
Children’s Services Network of Merced County	1701 “N” Street	209-722-3804
Certified Farmer's Market	Promenade (Wednesday AM) Downtown (Saturday AM)	Roseann Serrano 209-389-4323
Department of Alcohol & Drugs(Licensing for Rehab Programs)		916-445-0834
Secretary of State		916-653-6814