Business License

Steps Necessary for a Business License

To avoid delays in the issuance of your business license, please follow the APPLICATION STEPS below. Please note: Steps 3 through 6 require various departments to sign off in the appropriate boxes on the application before it is returned to the Tax Collector's office for processing and final issuance of the license.

Step 1
TAX COLLECTOR'S OFFICE - (530) 621-5800 (Placerville) or (530) 573-3011 (So. Lake Tahoe)

Start by obtaining a business license application package. Print each of the following documents (each link goes to the appropriate page):

1) Application (.pdf file)
2) Business License Application Steps (you are here)
3) Business License Information
4) Map for Placerville or South Lake Tahoe. The map will show each of the departments that must, if applicable, sign off on the application. OR Contact the Tax Collector's Office in Placerville at (530) 621-5800 or in So. Lake Tahoe at (530) 573-3011.

Complete the requested name and ownership information.

Note: Steps 3 through 7 below, if applicable, require the applicant to go to the department in person.

Step 2
ASSESSOR'S OFFICE - (530) 621-5719 (Placerville) or (530) 573-3422 (So. Lake Tahoe)

Contact the Assessor's office for your assessor's parcel number (APN) for the business property address.

Write the APN on your application in the space provided.

Step 3
PLANNING & BUILDING DEPARTMENTS - (530) 621-5355 (Placerville) or (530) 573-3448 (So. Lake Tahoe)

All business license applications for businesses located in El Dorado County must be signed off by the Planning and Building Department. Click here for Planning and Building Customer Service Lobby Hours. Appointments are no longer available.

Step 4
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT - (530) 621-5300 (Placerville) or (530) 573-3450 (So. Lake Tahoe)

The following businesses require Environmental Health Department sign-off and may require a separate Environmental Health permit:

• Restaurants and other businesses handling food (including prepackaged foods)
• Businesses installing, pumping or repairing septic tanks
• Businesses using or storing paint and/or other chemicals

Step 5
FIRE DEPARTMENT

Businesses operating in a commercial or industrial zone require local fire department approval. Call your local fire department to determine which fire station should sign off your application.

Step 6
SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT - (530) 621-5655 (Placerville) or (530) 573-3000 (So. Lake Tahoe)

Required for itinerant businesses and other Special Business Licenses only. Click here for further information on Special Businesses.

Step 7
RECORDER'S OFFICE - (530) 621-5490 (Placerville) or (530) 573-3408 (So. Lake Tahoe)

If you do not use your last name in the name of your business, you must file for a fictitious business name.

Step 8
TAX COLLECTOR'S OFFICE

Return your completed business license application with $32.00 (or the appropriate amount for special licenses) to the Tax Collector's office.

Make checks payable to:
C. L. Raffety, CPA
Treasurer/Tax Collector
360 Fair Lane
Placerville, CA 95667-4197

When the completed application and the appropriate fee are received, your business license will be sent to the mailing address on the application within 7 working days.