Contractor Business License
Updated January 30, 2023
Online Business License Services Now Available
The City of Cerritos is pleased to announce that City business license services are now available online. You can apply for, renew, or pay business license fees online at: permits.cerritos.us. Please see below for information on accessing City business license services online:
Current City Business License Holders
- Call the Business License Office at (562) 916‑1236 to link your current account to a new portal account that will be created for you.
When calling, ensure you have the following information:- Current Cerritos business license number
- Business name and address
- Business owner name
- A preferred online user name that will be associated with the account
- An email address that will be associated with the account
- Once your portal account has been created by the Business License Office, you will be able to log in to access online business license services at permits.cerritos.us.
New Businesses
- Create a portal account at permits.cerritos.us.
- Click “Submit an Application” to apply for a new business license. Follow the instructions and ensure you have all required supplemental documentation.
For more information, please call the Business License Office at (562) 916-1236 or email business_license@cerritos.us.
JUMP TO:
Fee Schedule | Application | Sub-Contractor’s List
Fee Schedule
Classification A & C
3 months: $150*
6 months: $294*
12 months $463*
Classification B
3 months: $227*
6 months: $448*
12 months: $681*
*Fees valid until July 1, 2023, and
include a $4 state disability access fee and $2 software upgrade fee.
Application
To obtain an out-of-town contractor’s City business license, you will need to apply at the City’s online portal at permits.cerritos.us. As part of the application process, you will need to provide the following supporting documentation in the portal:
- A copy of your Contractor State License Pocket Card
- If you are applying as an agent on behalf of the owner or licensed contractor, you will need to submit a notarized Letter of Authorization (PDF)
- If doing sales in Cerritos, a copy of your California Seller’s Permit
- If applicable, proof of non-profit status such as a letter of exemption from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) or 501(c)(3) form
Resubmit After Making Corrections
Upon submitting an application, you will be notified if corrections are required. To resubmit your application after making the required corrections, please follow the resubmittal instructions here (PDF).
Renewals
To renew your City business license, please follow the renewal instructions here (PDF).
Sub-Contractor’s List
All contractors who hire sub-contractors in connection with a building permit must complete and submit the Sub-Contractor's List to the Business License Office three days prior to the request for final inspection. All sub-contractors must obtain a City business license before the final inspection takes place.
Please complete all fields including the date on which work was completed for each sub-contractor. If the general contractor also performed the specific field listed, then fill out the general contractor's name on the form in that field.
Please email the Sub-Contractor’s List to business_license@cerritos.us for processing. For any questions regarding this form or for email instructions, please call the Business License Office at (562) 916-1236.
To schedule a final permit inspection, please call the Building and Safety Division at (562) 916-1209.
Customer Satisfaction Survey
To help us better serve you, please take a short one-minute customer satisfaction survey to provide any feedback for improvement.
