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WELCOME TO BURBANK!
We are a progressive city which offers both its citizens and businesses an
opportunity to thrive in an environment of well managed city services.
Burbank has been recognized for its fine Police/Fire services, well established
parks and library services, highly maintained streets, and excellent utilities.
This information is provided with the business person in mind with the intent to
give business people some basic information of what the major requirements of
going into business in Burbank may be, thereby avoiding thoughts of "red
tape" and hopefully providing an early warning systems for the business
person. It is not the intent of this informational page to make the
business owner aware of all city, county, state, or federal
regulations. Any omissions or errors on this page will not excuse or
relieve business owners of their responsibilities or liabilities connected with
establishing a business in Burbank; however, we do feel that this information
will make the job of establishing a business in Burbank somewhat more efficient
than most cities. In addition to the information provided here, we
encourage you to take advantage of the assistance and services provided by the
License and Code Services personnel who are available to assist you with your applications and
give you information on other possible requirements.
WHO NEEDS TO REGISTER THEIR BUSINESS
WITH BURBANK?
This can be confusing because of the different types of registrations that are
necessary, however, you will find that 99% of the businesses located in Burbank,
including post office boxes and home occupations will be required to have some
sort of registration with the license office.
Some confusion may arise out of terminology. There are three basic
documents which may be filed: Business Tax, Business License, and Business
Permit. Some businesses are required to have all three, such as
restaurants with dancing facilities. Most businesses are required to have
two, and some businesses are required to have only one.
BUSINESS PERMITS
The basic document that all businesses located in Burbank must have is a
Business Permit. This includes all businesses which are exempt from local
taxation by State statute. In most cases this permit is thought of as an
application fee and is generally a one time registration of $15.00 or $30.00. (
Burbank Municipal
Code 3-4-1901).
BUSINESS TAX
The business tax is usually what most people incorrectly call a business
license. A business tax is not a regulatory measure imposed by a
municipality, it is merely a revenue generation mechanism that most cities levy
in an attempt to place revenues into the general fund to perpetuate and improve
city services. (Burbank Municipal
Code 2-4-802). This tax IS NOT A GROSS RECEIPTS TAX as is the business tax of most
cities. There are varying methods of taxation for the business tax,
however, the most prevalent method is a flat tax of $83.65, plus a
per employee tax of $5.00 - $10.20 per employee paid on an annualized calendar
year. A one-time registration fee of $30.00 is required of each
applicant. Copies of the code which pertains to the business tax and the
fee resolution which sets the rates, can be attained upon request. An
interesting aspect of this tax is that the rates can change up and down annual
depending on the Producers Price Index.
BUSINESS LICENSES
Business Licenses are regulatory by nature and are not intended for the purpose
of generating revenues. The fees attached to licenses have to do with the
cost of processing the license. Business licenses are based on a fiscal
year basis, and in Burbank that means that they are valid with the year
beginning in July and ending in June. Because there are 50+ types of
business licenses scattered throughout the
Burbank Municipal
Code, there isn't
just one code section to refer to. The fees for licenses range from a
daily basis of $12.00 for peddlers to approximately $500.00 a year for massage establishments.
RENEWALS AND TRANSFERS OF BUSINESS
TAXES AND BUSINESS LICENSES
Business tax certificates, which are the official documents to post when you are
registered with the City of Burbank, are not transferable. Once the
certificate is issued, which will be after all approvals are submitted by
various city departments, any change as to the ownership of the business, the
location of the business, or the nature of business conducted, will require a
new certificate which will be subject to approvals.
In most cases, a business permit is issued as final approval to the business tax
certificate. The permit is affixed as a stamp to the certificate. In
cases where only a business permit is issued and no business tax is required to
be paid, then a separate business permit will be issued and is required to be
displayed.
When a business license is required, a license certificate which is subject to
approvals will be issued. For those licensees who have premises located in
Burbank, their licenses shall be posted on the premises. For those
licensees who are transient or itinerant, licenses shall be carried on their
persons.
In both cases of business taxes and business licenses, if a vehicle is involved
in the business then many times the vehicle must display a current year decal
affixed for identification and acknowledgement of payment.
PROPER ZONING
The single most important factor regarding the approval process is zoning.
We recommend that all business owners, prior to entering into any purchase,
lease, or rental agreements, check with the
Planning Division before they apply
for a business tax certificate, permit or license.
CITY DEPARTMENTS APPROVALS
Aside from zoning, other city departments may or may not be required to approve
a business application before final approval is granted. In most business
tax cases the business tax application must be approved by
Planning
Division,
Building Division,
Fire
Department, and License and Code Services Division. Sometimes
businesses that are regulated by the
County Health Services Department must be
approved by that agency before a certificate can be issued.
Business license approval may include all the above departmental approval plus,
in some instances, approval from the
Police Department and
Public Works
Department.
In addition to the requirements of the License and Code Services Division for a business tax
certificate, a business license, or a business permit, other city departments
may require additional permits which may include, but are not limited to:
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Certificates of Occupancy (Building
Division)
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Building Permits (Building
Division)
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Sign Permits (Building
Division)
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Encroachment Permits (Public Works
Department)
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Fire Permits (Fire
Department)
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Hazardous Materials Permit and Disclosure (Fire
Department)
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Alarm Permits (Police
Department)
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Conditional Use Permits (Planning
Division)
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Industrial Waste Permits (Public Works
Department)
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Filming Permits (Police
Department)
HOME OCCUPATIONS
Burbank Municipal Code Reference: Sec.
10-1-671)
(Click Here to view a Home Occupations Informational
Video)
What is a home occupation?
A home occupation is a business that is legally conducted, by virtue of a home
occupation permit, as an "OFFICE ONLY" type of a business out of a residential
zone (Burbank
Municipal Code 10-1-671). To secure most home occupation permits, generally a
business tax certificate is issued following an inspection to assure that the
business does not jeopardize the integrity of the residential zone.
Depending on the nature of the home occupation, a business license may be
issued. This processing would be similar to the processing of a business
tax certificate.
No home occupation is considered a pre-established commercial use or as a
primary use of the residence. The home occupation must be conducted
entirely within the dwelling and carried on by the inhabitants thereof, and the
home occupation use shall clearly be incidental and secondary to the use of the
dwelling for dwelling purposes and shall not change the character of the
residence.
OTHER GOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES
In addition to the City of Burbank requirements, most businesses will also have
requirements to fulfill of County, State and Federal agencies.
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