What are the Different Types of Business Licenses?

Commercial Business License - $44 for the first year, $29 for renewals

General Business Licenses are issued to businesses with a physical location within the Town Limits based on compliance with Zoning Information. All businesses based in the Town of Paradise or providing services to Paradise residents or businesses require a General Business License except for the following, which are exempt:

• Libraries – public and private.
• Agriculture – includes growing of crops or raising livestock, except that a General Business License is required for any enterprise that combines product from multiple farms, wholesale, etc.
• Businesses located outside Paradise that deliver to Paradise addresses but provide no other service.
• Service Clubs
• Nonprofit Organizations with no paid employees or physical place of business.
• Vendors at community events.
• Residential rental properties with no more than one unit
• Persons exempt from business license fees pursuant to federal or state laws

Home Based Business – No Fee

Running a business from home is an attractive idea to many people, but it is important for home business operators to remember that they are conducting a business in a home, which is most likely surrounded by other homes in a residential area. The Town places certain restrictions on the operation of home businesses to protect the residential nature of the neighborhood and prevent nuisance complaints regarding noise, dust, and traffic. These rules protect you and your neighborhood, and ensure that the primary use of the homes is for residential purposes only.   

Special Business License - Cost varies

Certain types of businesses are required to have more than one license. Usually the second license is a Special License. Note: you may require additional licensing from other governmental agencies in addition to your Town of Paradise License. The special License is issued based on a review of the application and may require approval by the Police Department, fingerprinting and background checks.

Visit the Special Business License page to download the specific instructions and applications you need.

Available at the Paradise Police Department (5595 Black Olive Drive, Paradise, CA 95969):

• Retail Firearms Sales Establishments
• Junk Dealers, Pawnbrokers, and Secondhand Dealers
• Bingo Games
• Solicitors
• Kennels
• Card rooms
• Tattoo Artists and Tattoo Establishments
• Masseur/Masseuse and Massage Establishments
• Taxicabs and Rent Cars
• Sound Trucks and Sound Amplifying Equipment

Available at Town Hall (5555 Skyway, Paradise, CA 95969):

• Fairs, Carnivals and Circuses
• Theaters, Tent Shows and Playhouses
• Fortunetelling
• Outdoor Festivals
• Vending, Hawking, Peddling Sales
• Onsite Sanitation Systems Operation Evaluators