Business License Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I submit my Business License Application? We accept new business licenses

online on our website at www.rocklin.ca.us/get-business-license, by mail or in person

check or money order if mailed, or by check, cash, VISA or Master Card if paid in person,

or by VISA or Master Card on the website. You can mail your application to 3970 Rocklin

Road, Rocklin, CA 95677 Attn: Business Licenses.

3. What business category is my business? Go to the Business Category Listing on the

website. If your business is not specifically listed under Type of Business, your category

will be “Other Businesses”. This includes, but is not limited to, retail, restaurants, home-

based consultants, internet businesses, and house cleaning.

If you apply online, your business category will be assigned during the review process.

In the box “Describe your business” please enter a detailed business description to assist

with assigning the business category.

Rocklin, but in a home and/or apartment you will need to complete a Home Business

Permit. If you are renting and are not the homeowner, you will need a letter from your

owner/landlord verifying that they have given you permission to use the residence for

your business.

If you operate more than one home business that are different in business nature, or

reported separately for tax purposes, you may be required to have a separate Home

Business Permit for each business.

If you are operating a home business inside the city of Rocklin, you are unable apply

6. What are the fees for obtaining a new business license?

Application Fee $21.00 (one time fee)

Home Business Permit $177.00 (if required)

Business License Tax See Business License Tax Tables

located on back of Application form.

7. What other special fees may be charged for a business license?

Businesses”, you will use the Annual Gross Receipts Table. If your business category is

business category.

9. My business is Massage Therapy, what documentation is required at the time of

application? All Massage businesses in the City of Rocklin are required to have a valid

CA MTO Certificate. You are required to apply for a City of Rocklin Massage Permit

Department at 4080 Rocklin Road, Rocklin, CA 95677, phone number 916-625-5400.

If you apply online, please attach a copy of your State of California License.

11. If I need to make a change to my business license, what do I do? If you have a renewal

form, you can make the updates on the form (this includes changes to mailing address,

additional fee. If your business license is not due for renewal, there is a $5 update fee.

If you are making changes to a home business they cannot be made online. You will

note on the top of the form “update or changes”. If you are renewing your business

license, there is no additional fee. If your business license is not due for renewal, there

is a $5 update fee.

To make changes online, go to our website at

www.rocklin.ca.us/BusinessLicenseRenewal and choose Update-Request Account

Information. Enter updated information and submit. If you make changes at time of

renewal – no fee is required. If not, you will receive a Balance Due email for the $5

hand side of the form indicating “change of ownership. If you are renewing your

business license, there is no additional fee. If your business license is not due for

renewal, there is a $5 update fee.

If you are selling your business or the ownership involves a change in FID number or SS

#, you will need to apply for a new business license (, including all associated fees. (See

#1) The old business license will be closed.

13. If my business location changes, what do I do?

If your business is in a Rocklin commercial location, you will need to submit a Business

Information. Enter updated information and submit. If you make changes at time of

renewal – no fee is required. If not, you will receive a Balance Due email for the $5

update fee.

If your business is in a Rocklin home and/or apartment, you will need to complete a new

Business License Application and a new Home Business Permit application and submit

them along with a $5 Business license update fee and a $87 modified Home Business

Permit fee. Changes cannot be made online.

14. If my business name changes, what do I do? Print out a Business License Application

If your business name change involves a change in FID number or SS #, you will need to

apply for a new business license, including all associated fees. (See #1) The old business

license will be closed.

If your business is a home business, changes cannot be made online. You will need to

submit a Home Business Permit and mark it modified; along with the $87 fee.

To make changes online, go to our website at

from the business license expiration date to renew without penalty. After the 30 day

grace period, there is a 10% penalty fee assessed for each month your license is

delinquent up to a maximum penalty of 50%.

16. I have received my Business License Renewal, how do I calculate the amount due? If

your renewal form shows Rate Type: Gross Annual Receipts, you need to use the

instructions in the lower left hand box to determine your business license tax due.

Complete the right side of the form. Lines 1 and 6 are required. Incomplete forms will

be returned.

18. My business address is in Rocklin, but I only do paperwork in my Rocklin location. All of

my business is conducted in other cities and counties. Do I still need a business license?

Yes.

19. My business is located in Rocklin, but I also conduct business in Roseville, Sacramento,

and other surrounding cities. Do I need a business license for each city? Your City of

Rocklin business license allows you to conduct business in the City of Rocklin. Contact

the other cities in question regarding their business license requirements.

21. I am no longer doing business in the City of Rocklin and want to close my business

license. If you have received your renewal form there is a box in the upper, right section

of the form where you can indicate that you are no longer doing business in the City.

have a renewal form, please contact our office at 916-625-5020.

To close business online, go to Go to our website at

www.rocklin.ca.us/BusinessLicenseRenewal and choose Close - Request to Close a

Business License Online. Enter updated information and submit.

22. Do I need a business license if my business is Non-Profit or Exempt? Yes. You will

need to file a Business License Application. You are required to submit a copy of your

IRS form 501(c) or the IRS letter indicating your eligibility for nonprofit status under the

State sales tax exemption as proof of nonprofit status.

A renewal form will be mailed each year in November. The form is required to be

signed and returned to verify the business is still operating. A new business license will

be mailed upon receipt of the renewal form. No business license tax will be due for

renewal.

To renew online - Go to our website at www.rocklin.ca.us/BusinessLicenseRenewal and

choose Renew - Renew Business License Online and follow the instructions using your

renewal form. Your account number is your business license number and the online