Business License Questions & Answers

A business license is required in order to conduct business legally within the city limits. The purpose of the license is to provide funding for general services such as police and fire protection, crime prevention, and many other community services, which may benefit the business.

Per the City of Moreno Valley Municipal Code Title 5.02.020(A) Business Regulation, all businesses including, Rental Property, Non-Profit Organizations, Independent Contractors, Churches and Religious Organizations operating in the City of Moreno Valley are required to have a business license. This includes businesses which operate from a home, commercial location or subleases within an existing business. A separate business license certificate is required for each branch or location within the city. If you conduct business activities within the City of Moreno Valley but are located outside the City, you are required to have a Moreno Valley business license.

• Rental Property
  For owners of multiple single family residential rental properties a business license is needed for each property. One Business License Application Fee will be charged if you have ten (10) or less properties. Property owners with more than ten properties pay a separate application fee for each property.
• Non-Profit Organizations, Churches and Religious Organizations
  A business license is required for Non-Profit, Churches and Religious Organizations. With proof of a 501(c) (3) Non-Profit Status, they are exempt from the business license processing fee and gross receipts tax.

Conducting Business Legally 

The issuance of a business license does not entitle the license holder to conduct any business which is otherwise prohibited. Businesses may also be required to obtain a Certificate of Occupancy, Home Occupation Permit, Conditional Use Permit, and/or other City, County, State, or Federal approvals before a business may operate.

• Commercial Businesses 
  Each commercial business located within the City of Moreno Valley must obtain a Certificate of Occupancy from the Building and Safety Department.
• Home-Based Businesses 
  Each home-based business located within the City of Moreno Valley must obtain a Home Occupation Permit from the Planning Department.

For any of your business license questions, you may contact the City of Moreno Valley at:
Phone: 951-413-3080 
Email: businesslicense@moval.org
City Website: www.moval.org 
Business License Website: www.moval.org/biz-lic

Additionally, please feel free to stop by City Hall located at: 
14177 Frederick Street 
Moreno Valley, CA 92553

Business licenses are valid from January 1st through December 31st of each year. For any new business applying for a business license, the license period will be adjusted to reflect the applicable start date and all licenses will expire on December 31st of each year.

All renewals are due by January 31st of each year and become delinquent if received after that date. Penalties and Interest will be assessed if the Renewal Application Form is not received by January 31st.

Renew Your Business License online...

You may choose to conduct a business as a sole proprietorship, corporation, partnership, or a limited liability company. You should consult with a legal representative and an accountant before making any determination as to the type of business entity to form. For more information on each type of business entity, please visit the California Business Portal section of the Secretary of State's website. Unless you conduct your business as a sole proprietorship, you must file papers with the Secretary of State's office: 

Secretary of State Business Programs Division 
1500 11th St. Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: 916-657-5448

If you use a business name other than your own legal surname, you must file a fictitious name statement with the Riverside County Clerk. Every individual, partnership, and other associations and corporations who regularly transact business for profit in this state under a fictitious business name must file a fictitious business name statement.

County of Riverside Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder 
2427 Gateway Dr. 
Riverside CA 92507
Phone: 951-486-7000

The California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA) issues seller's permits and is responsible for the administration and collection of the state's sales and use, fuel, alcohol, tobacco, and other special taxes and fees.


California Department of Tax and Fee Administration
3737 Main St. #1000
Riverside, CA 92506
951-680-6400

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issues federal employer identification numbers and administers federal payroll taxes, including social security, Medicare, federal unemployment insurance and federal income tax withholding. For more information, please contact:

Internal Revenue Service 
290 N. D St. 
San Bernardino CA 92401
Phone: 909-388-8108

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issues federal employer identification numbers and administers federal payroll taxes, including social security, Medicare, federal unemployment insurance and federal income tax withholding. For more information, please contact:

Internal Revenue Service 
290 N. D St. 
San Bernardino CA 92401
Ph: 909-388-8108

The Employment Development Department (EDD) issues state employer identification numbers, (SEIN) and administers California's payroll taxes, including unemployment insurance, employment training tax, state disability insurance, and California personal income tax withholding.

Employment Development Department 
1180 Palmyrita Ave. #B
Riverside CA 92501 
Phone: 888-745-3886

Depending upon the type of business you conduct, you may also be required to obtain special license(s) or permits from the State of California, County of Riverside, City of Moreno Valley or other agencies. To determine which occupations and businesses require additional licenses or permits you may contact:

• Bureau of Consumer Affairs
  Office of Small Business
  1121 L St. #600 
  Sacramento, CA 95817 
  Ph: 800-952-5210 
  website: www.dca.ca.gov
• CalGold
  1325 J St., Suite 1800 
  Sacramento, CA 95814
  website: www.calgold.ca.gov

Yes. The Riverside County Department of Environmental Health reviews all plans for compliance with State of California health codes. They are interested in the type of restaurant equipment installed, the categories of food you are handling and standards relating to employee hygiene. The Health Department can be reached at:

Riverside County
Department of Environmental Health
4065 County Circle Dr.
Riverside CA 90503 
Phone: 951-358-5172 
Or 
800 S. Sanderson #200 
Hemet CA 92545

Yes. The sale and serving of alcoholic beverages in conjunction with any business is governed by the State of California Alcoholic Beverage Control Agency (ABC). Please contact them regarding all pertinent rules, regulations and required permits. In addition, to obtaining a license from the ABC, your business may also require special review and approvals from the City of Moreno Valley Planning Department.

Department of Alcohol and Beverage Control
3737 Main St., Suite #900 
Riverside, CA 92501 
Phone: 951-782-4400
website: www.abc.ca.gov/permits/permits.html

Yes. The sale of Tobacco Products in conjunction with any business is governed by the State of California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (DTFA) and Riverside County Department of Environmental Health. Please contact them regarding all pertinent rules, regulations and required permits.

• Riverside County Tobacco Permit Application
• California DTFA Tobacco License Application

Click here for the City of Moreno Valley Business License Ordinance