Business Licenses

All businesses operating within the City of Palm Desert are required to obtain a business license. This includes businesses located within the city, home-based businesses, contractors, and businesses based outside the city that conduct work within city limits. Regulations and penalties for business licensing are outlined in Palm Desert Municipal Code Chapter 5.04: Business Taxes, Licenses, and Regulations.

Palm Desert Business License Portal

Business licenses are administered on behalf of the City by HDL Companies. The Business License Portal can be used to:

Apply for a business license
Renew an existing license
Pay balances
Search for licensed businesses

Access the portal: Palm Desert Business License Portal

For assistance, contact HDL:

(442) 325-3954
palmdesert@hdlgov.com

Before You Apply

Please have the following information ready when applying:

Is your business located inside or outside Palm Desert city limits?
If inside, will you operate in a commercial space or from a home office?
The full business address.
The type of product or service you provide.

Contractors and Subcontractors
As of January 1, 2020, California SB 205 requires contractors to supply their Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) Code. Instructions are available during the online application and renewal process.

Business License Types

A separate business license must be obtained for each business location and for each type of business at the same location per Section 5.04.030 of the Palm Desert Municipal Code.

Home-Based Businesses
If your business operates within a residential location, a Home Occupation Permit will be required. This permit is required for Palm Desert Based Businesses using a residential address as the Physical Business Address (Section 25.34.020 of the Palm Desert Municipal Code).

Category A - In City Business
This Category includes all types of businesses located in Palm Desert, including Home Based Businesses. (P.O. Boxes cannot be used as your Physical Business Address). The license tax fee for this category shall be based upon annual gross receipts of sales and/or commissions based upon either the previous calendar year or previous fiscal year of the business for renewals. Gross receipts may be estimated for new licenses.

Note: If your business address is located on El Paseo, please see the section on this webpage about the El Paseo Assessment Fee Schedule.

"Category B" - State Board Licensed Contractors Only
Contractors shall pay a license fee based on the highest classification on their Contractors License. Unless you are a sole proprietor with no employees, contractors must have worker’s compensation insurance.

Contractors who operate any store, shop, or maintenance service within the city, in conjunction or connection with the contracting business are also required to pay a business license fee as described in category “A” or “C.”

"Category C” - Out of City Business
This Category includes all types of businesses located outside the city of Palm Desert. The license tax fees for this category are apportioned to the amount of business conducted within the City only and based upon the license year of the licensee, either calendar of fiscal for renewals and may be estimated for new licenses, and payable according to the table to the right.

Note: The City is authorized to verify the statements and records of any and all persons licensed to conduct or carry on business within the City.

Business License Fees

Home-Based Businesses

Initial fee: $54.00
Renewal fee: $29.00

Fees include the $4.00 surcharge required by California Assembly Bill 1379.

Category A - In City Business
The City of Palm Desert business license fee is determined by a business’s annual gross receipts, with fees increasing incrementally based on the ranges listed below.

$64.00: $0.00- $100,000.00
$95.00: $100,001.00 - $250,000.00
$155.00: $250,001.00 - $500,000.00
$230.00: $500,001.00 - $750,000.00
$305.00: $750,001.00 - $1,000,000.00
$380.00: $1,000,001.00 - $1,500,000.00
$455.00: $1,500,001.00 - $2,000,000.00
$567.00: $2,000,001.00 - $3,000,000.00
$792.00: $3,000,001.00 - $5,000,000.00
$1,130.00: $5,000,001.00 - $7,500,000.00
$1,505.00: $7,500,001.00 - $10,000,000.00
$2,067.00: $10,000,001.00 - $15,000,000.00
$2,817.00: $15,000,001.00 - $20,000,000.00
$3,942.00: $20,000,001.00 - $30,000,000.00
$5,442.00: $30,000,001.00 - $40,000,000.00
$6,942.00: $40,000,001.00 - $50,000,000.00
$9,567.00: $50,000,001.00 - $75,000,000.00
$13,234.00: $75,000,001.00 - $99,000,000.00

Fees include the $4.00 surcharge required by California Assembly Bill 1379.

"Category B" - State Board Licensed Contractors Only
Contractors who operate any store, shop, or maintenance service within the city, in conjunction or connection with the contracting business are also required to pay a business license fee as described in category “A” or “C.”

$104.00: General Engineering (A)
$104.00: Swimming Pool (C53)
$104.00: Owner/Builder (B)
$79.00: Plumbing (C36)
$79.00: Electrical (C10)
$54.00: All Other sub-contractors or specialty contractors not listed above

Fees include the $4.00 surcharge required by California Assembly Bill 1379.

"Category C” - Out of City Business
The City of Palm Desert business license fee is determined by a business’s annual gross receipts, with fees increasing incrementally based on the ranges listed below.

$79.00: $0.00 -$100,000.00
$117.00: $100,001.00 - $250,000.00
$267.00: $250,001.00 - $500,000.00
$342.00: $500,001.00 - $750,000.00
$487.00: $750,001.00 - $1,000,000.00
$591.00: $1,000,001.00 - $1,500,000.00
$717.00: $1,500,001 .00 - $2,000,000.00
$904.00: $2,000,001.00 - $3,000,000.00
$1,279.00: $3,000,001.00 - $5,000,000.00

Fees include the $4.00 surcharge required by California Assembly Bill 1379.

El Paseo Assessment Fee Schedule

El Paseo Assessment Fees are levied on business establishments with addresses 73040 through 73999 El Paseo and adjoining streets located 180 feet south of El Paseo and 154 feet north of El Paseo per Section 3.40.010 of the Palm Desert Municipal Code. El Paseo Assessment Fees are in addition to your business license fee.

Category I - Amount charged is one times the business license fee.

Accountants
Agencies - not insurance
Attorneys at Law
Auditors
Brokers - other than real estate
Consultants
Dental Professional
Electrical
Escrow Companies
Finance and Loan
Fine Arts/Music School
General Business Offices
General Contractors
Investment Counselors
Landscape Design or Architect
Lithographers
Maintenance
Medical Professions
Optical Professions
Personnel Agencies
Property Management
Schools - Trade/Private
Security Patrol
Surveyors
Title Companies
Similar Business
Others

Example

Business License Fee - $60.00
El Paseo Fee Category I - $60.00
CA S1186 Surcharge - $4.00
Total Due - $124.00

Category II - Amount charged is two times the business license fee.

Alterations/tailoring
Animal Care
Barber/Beauty/Manicure Shops
Building Supplies
Distributors
Dry Cleaners
Fitness Centers
General Merchandise/Mail Order
Interior Decorating/Designers
Laundry/Dry Cleaners
Limited Specialty
Photographers
Printing/Duplicating/Publishing
Travel Agencies
Similar Business
Other

Independent Contractors:

Barbers
Beauticians
Hair Stylist
Manicurist
Massage Therapist
Others not listed

Example

Business License Fee - $60.00
El Paseo Fee Category II - $120.00
CA S1186 Surcharge - $4.00
Total Due - $184.00

Category III - Amount charged is three times the business license fee.

Antiques
Art Galleries
Clothing - all
Confectionary - Candies/Nuts
Eating and Drinking Places
Gift Shops
Home Furnishings
Jewelry Stores
Music Stores
Operators of Nonresidential Buildings
Photographic Supplies
Shoe Stores
Specialty Shops
Sporting Goods
Stationery Stores/Bookstores
Similar Businesses
Other

Example

Business License Fee - $60.00
El Paseo Fee Category III - $180.00
CA S1186 Surcharge - $4.00
Total Due - $244.00

Category IV - Amount charged is three times the business license fee.

Banks

Example

El Paseo Fee Category IV - $1,000.00
CA S1186 Surcharge - $4.00
Total Due - $1004.00

Business License Forms

Business License Forms include the following:

Business License Application
One Day Business License Application
Certificate of Use
Home Occupation Permit
Temporary Event Business License Application

Business licenses are processed and maintained on behalf of the City by HDL Companies, our third-party provider.

Apply or Renew Online: Palm Desert Business License Center
Contact HDL: (442) 325-3954 or palmdesert@hdlgov.com
8839 N. Cedar Ave., #212, Fresno, CA 93720-1832

If you prefer a printed version of these forms, please visit Palm Desert City Hall at 73510 Fred Waring Drive, Palm Desert, CA 92260.

Temporary Event Business License Application

A Temporary Event Business License is required for vendors, exhibitors, and businesses participating in short-term events within the City of Palm Desert, such as festivals, fairs, markets, or promotional activities. This license ensures compliance with City regulations and helps maintain public safety and fair business practices.

How to Apply or Renew
Business licenses are processed and maintained on behalf of the City by HDL Companies, our third-party provider.

Apply or Renew Online: Palm Desert Business License Center
Contact HDL: (442) 325-3954 or palmdesert@hdlgov.com
8839 N. Cedar Ave., #212, Fresno, CA 93720-1832

If you prefer a printed version of these forms, please visit Palm Desert City Hall at 73510 Fred Waring Drive, Palm Desert, CA 92260.

Questions
If you have additional questions, please contact events@palmdesert.gov.

Support for Opening a Business in Palm Desert

Need Assistance
City staff is here to help with questions about the website or City services.

For general questions, please email info@palmdesert.gov
For accessibility assistance (ADA), please email ada@palmdesert.gov

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