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Permitting & Licensing
Butte County is dedicated to assisting businesses interested in starting, expanding, or locating in Butte County. Learn more about our Economic Development Assistance Committee and how we can assist your business through the development process.
Visit CalGold, a website for assisting you with permits for your business.
Business License
The County of Butte only requires business licenses or permits for the activities listed in the table below occurring within the unincorporated area. Depending on the type of business, if you operate out of your home you may also need a Home Occupation Permit (PDF).
Fictitious Business Name
If you are operating under any name other than your own, you must file a Fictitious Business Name Statement with the County. It is also referred to as a "Doing Business As" (DBA). A fee is required when the statement is filed. Also, once filed, the statement must be published in a local newspaper of general circulation. This statement must be filed with the County Recorder's Office, located at:
155 Nelson Avenue
Oroville, CA 95965
Phone: 530-538-7691
Permits
Planning Department
7 County Center Drive
Oroville, CA 95965
Phone: 530-552-3701 (zoning, other permits)
Food Vendors
If you are going to be engaged in a business that sells food, you need a permit from Environmental Health, a division of the Public Health Department, located at:
202 Mira Loma Drive
Oroville, CA 95965
Phone: 530-538-7281 or 530-891-2727
Agricultural Commission
The Butte County Agricultural Commissioner's office is a regulatory agency acting under the jurisdiction and direction of the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), the Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR), and the Division of Measure Standards (DMS) and in cooperation with various other federal, state, regional, and local agencies. The Agricultural Commissioner enforces the laws and regulations of the California Food and Agricultural Code and the California Code of Regulations Division of Measure Standards and is an appointed official of the County Board of Supervisors.
Agricultural Commission locations:
- Main Office
316 Nelson Avenue
Oroville, CA 95965
Phone: 530-552-4100
Email the Agricultural Commission - Chico District Office: (T) 530-552-4085
- Gridley District Office: (T) 530-552-4090
City of Biggs
3016 6th Street
Biggs, CA 95917
Phone: 530-868-5493
City of Biggs Website
City of Chico
Physical Address
411 Main Street
Chico, CA 95928
Mailing Address
P.O. Box 3420
Chico CA 95927
Planning: 530-879-6800 (to inquire about zoning)
Finance Office: 530-879-7320 (to inquire about business licenses)
City of Chico: Apply for or Renew a Business License Page
City of Gridley
685 Kentucky Street
Gridley, CA 95948
General: 530-846-5695 (business license)
Planning: 530-846-3631 (zoning, environmental review)
City of Gridley Website
City of Oroville
1735 Montgomery Street
Oroville, CA 95965
Community Development: 530-538-2401 (planning, building, business license)
City of Oroville Website
Town of Paradise
5555 Skyway
Paradise, CA 95969
Community Development: 530-872-6291 ext.123 (building, zoning)
Town Clerk: 530-872-6291, ext. 102
Town of Paradise Website
Business licenses are currently required. Contact the Town Clerk for information on required permits.
Liquor License
If your business sells alcoholic beverages, you need a license. The fee is determined by the kind of business you own. Contact:
Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control
1900 Churn Creek Road
#215
Redding, CA 96002
Phone: 530-224-4830
State Regulations Seller's Permit
Every individual or business engaged in selling tangible personal property must apply to the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA) for a Seller's Permit. This permit provides you with a registered resale number, which is required for conducting business. There is no fee for this permit, but you may be required to make a security deposit for future sales tax payments to the State. The permit:
- Exempts you from paying sales tax on the merchandise you purchase for resale through your business
- Authorizes you to collect sales tax from your customers
California Department of Tax and Fee Administration Contacts
- Apply Online: Obtaining a Seller's Permit
- Toll Free: 800-400-7115
- Send an Email: General, Non-Confidential Tax Questions Form
Excise Tax
If you sell cigarettes, alcoholic beverages, energy, motor vehicle fuel, or hazardous substances, you must pay an excise tax. To learn more, contact:
Excise Taxes Division, State Board of Equalization
P.O. Box 942879
Sacramento, CA 94279
Toll Free: 800-400-7115
CDTFA Online Registration/Renewal Page
State Employer Account Number
All businesses that hire employees must register with the Employment Development Department to obtain an employer account number. For more information, contact:
Employment Development Department Account Services Group, MIC 28
P.O. Box 826880
Sacramento, CA 94280
Phone: 888-745-3886
Occupational License
To maintain set standards of performance and to protect consumers, most states regulate entry in specific occupations or professions. These include health services, cosmetology, accounting and real estate. If your business is in any of these regulated fields, you must first meet the standards set forth by the State Licensing Board and then obtain a license. Licenses are usually valid for 1 or 2 years and are renewable. For more information, contact:
California Department of Consumer Affairs (CDCA)
1625 N Market Boulevard
Suite N 112
Sacramento, CA 95834
Toll Free: 800-952-5210
CDCA Website
Contractors State License Board (CSLB)
Apply for and renew a contractor license. All businesses or individuals that construct or alter any building, highway, road, parking facility, railroad, excavation, or other structure in California must be licensed by the Contractors State License Board if the combined labor and material costs for one or more contracts on the project is $500 or more. Contractors must be licensed before submitting bids. To learn more, contact:
Contractors State License Board
9821 Business Park Drive
Sacramento, CA 95827
Phone: 800-321-2752 (CSLB)
CSLB Website