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Business License public counter hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The City of Whittier is required by both the Regional Water Quality Control Board, Los Angeles Region, under NPDES Permit No. CAS004001, Order No. R4-2012-0175, and the State Water Resources Control Board, under Order No. 2006-0003-DWQ, to conduct environmental compliance inspections of commercial facilities within its jurisdiction. Your facility and operations will be inspected by the City for compliance with these Orders. The purpose of the environmental inspection is to:

1. Ensure that pollutants such as oil, waste water and trash do not discharge directly from your facility and into the storm drain system, and
2. Ensure that excess fats, oils and grease (FOG) do not discharge into the sanitary sewer lines. Excess FOG creates clogs in sewer lines, which can cause sewer overflows. Sewer overflows can result in the discharge raw sewage into the storm drain system.

Please refer to the City of Whittier’s user fee schedule for the current FOG inspection cost.

Please contact the City of Whittier Public Works Department at (562) 567-9500 if you have any questions or concerns.

The Planning and Building and Safety public counter hours are Monday through Friday 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. One of the technicians is available during those hours to assist you with consultation or other information. Our Building Inspectors are available by appointment only Monday through Friday from 8 to 8:30 AM or from approximately 3:30 to 4:30 PM. Please call (562) 567-9320 to schedule an appointment.

Business license taxes become part of the City general fund which helps to pay for police services, libraries, community service programs, community center activities, street maintenance, and graffiti removal as well as several other programs offered throughout the City. If you would like to see the City budget documents, a copy can be viewed at the Controller's counter in City Hall.

Yes.

• More information

Refund Policy - Customer may request a refund, due to overpayment and/or a duplicate payment. Requests must be received within seven business days of the original transaction. To request a refund, email cntrllr@cityofwhittier.org or call the Business License office at (562) 567-9860. Approved refund transactions will be processed within 3 – 5 business days; however the City of Whittier is not responsible for a customer's financial institution credit policies. Overpayments as the result of a credit card payment are charged back to the originating credit card. The City of Whittier reserves the right to refuse a refund request at any time; however every attempt will be made to honor your request.

Maybe. Businesses conducted from a home in the City are required to have a business license as well as approval from our Planning Department.

Before starting a home-based business, please contact our Planning Department at (562) 567-9320.

The amount of business license tax depends upon the type of business. Please click the link below for the most common types of businesses and corresponding license tax.

• Common Business License Rates

California Legislative SB-1186 C (7.5)(4467)(a)(4469)/AB-1379 C (667) Statutes 2017 states that any applicant for a local business license or equivalent instrument or permit, and from any applicant for the renewal of a business license shall pay an additional fee of four dollars ($4) for that license, instrument, or permit which shall be collected by the city, county, or city and county that issued the license, instrument or permit.

(4469) On and after January 1, 2013, each city, county, or city and county shall provide to an applicant for a business license or equivalent instrument or permit and to an applicant for the renewal of a business license or equivalent instrument or permit, the following information: “Under federal and state law, compliance with disability access laws is a serious and significant responsibility that applies to all California building owners and tenants with buildings open to the public. You may obtain information about your legal obligations and how to comply with disability access laws at the following agencies:

• The Division of the State Architect
• The Department of Rehabilitation
• The California Commission on Disability Access.”

There is no provision in the Whittier Municipal Code for anyone to waive penalties.

Business license taxes are due 30 days after expiration. If the taxes are not paid at this time, penalties will accrue according to the penalty schedule below.

Penalties start accruing on the first day of each month following the due date. Businesses operating without a valid business license are also subject to our citation process until the entire balance is paid.

If your business is located in the Uptown area, the penalty schedule also applies to those fees.

• Penalty/Citation Schedule

All businesses located in the designated Uptown area have to pay Uptown Association dues. Please use the link below to determine which area and fee schedule applies to your business.

• Uptown is separated into two areas, Diamond and Silver
• All businesses pay a flat rate of $130 per year
• Retail stores and restaurants pay the $130 flat fee as well as a cost per square foot each year based upon which area they are located in

For more information on the Uptown Association, please call or visit their website.

Phone: (562) 696-2662

• Uptown Areas and Fees
• Whittier Uptown Association website

The City actively promotes a business friendly environment to ensure Whittier remains economically viable. Please visit the city’s Economic Development page for more information.

The requirements depend upon the type of business, but the basic requirements are as follows:

• Business name and address (P.O. Box is not accepted)
• Mailing address (if different from business address)
• Description of business
• State license number (contractors only - license will be verified)
• Federal ID Number (if applicable)
• Owner information - name, address, social security number, date of birth, driver's license number, etc.
• Owner signature
• Planning department approval (only if located within City limits)

In many cases, the business license will expire one year from when it was applied for. The following are the exceptions:

• Retail businesses and restaurants expire at the end of January
• Rentals with 1-3 units expire at the end of April
• Rentals with 4 or more units expire at the end of December
• Out of City contractors have a 3 month option

Citations are issued when all business license taxes, Uptown fees, or balance due statements are not paid. If a citation is received, this is a separate charge from the business license tax, Uptown fees, or balance due statements.

Please see the citation schedule below for more details.

• Citation Schedule

A renewal notice will be sent to the mailing address or email address that we have on file according to your contact preference. However, since timely tax payments are the owner’s responsibility, you are encouraged to calendar the expiration date of the license.

The WorkSource Center at SASSFA offers free employee recruitment assistance as well as several other business services such as layoff prevention, on-the-job training and subsidized employment. Call 562-946-2237 or visit www.sassfa.org for information.