Business Tax Division

Any person doing business within City limits is required to obtain a City of Rohnert Park Business Tax Certificate. Fees are categorized by classification and are established for each classification. The City issues a new tax certificate for each calendar year. Renewal bills are sent out in November for the next year with payment due by January 31st.

If you have any questions, please call the Business Tax Division at 585-6725.

Guide for New Businesses

Obtain a City Business Tax Certificate

A City Business Tax Certificate may be obtained at City Hall, 130 Avram Avenue, between the hours of 8am-5pm, Monday through Friday.  To apply for a business tax certificate, you will need to fill out an application. Contractors based outside of Rohnert Park can obtain a business license for a single job with the Contractors - One Job Only Application. To determine the appropriate fee, please see the rate sheet. To determine if you are a professional classification, please see listing. If your business is being run out a residence in Rohnert Park, you will also need to complete the Home Occupation Application. All fees are due upon receipt of the application. The business tax certificate will be issued upon approval and mailed to you within three weeks.

Additional Fees

In addition to the classification fees, new businesses may be required to pay the following fees:
Fire Inspection Fee of $120.00 for all commercial sites
Building Inspection Fee of $74.00 for all commercial sites
Business License Research Fee of $85.00 for Planning Department clearance at commercial sites
Home Occupation Permit Fee of $85.00 for Planning Department clearance at residential sites
CA Disability Access Fee of $1.00 for all businesses

If you have any questions about which fees apply to your business, please contact the Business Tax Division at (707) 585-6725.

Renewing Your Tax Certificate

Business tax certificate renewal invoices are mailed out each year in November. Annual fees are due January 1, and are subject to 25% penalty on February 1, & March 1, then 7% simple annual interest on unpaid balance added thereafter. Renewal fees are based upon information previously reported. If you have any questions regarding our renewal policy, please call the Business Tax Division at (707) 585-6725.

Reporting Business Changes

If you have any changes to your business information, please send us a signed note referencing your business name or tax certificate number. Our mailing address is: City of Rohnert Park, P.O. Box 1489, Rohnert Park, CA 94927-1489. If you have any questions, please call the Business Tax Division at (707) 585-6725.

Closing Your Business

Business tax certificates are nontransferable. If you are no longer conducting business in our City, you must contact us to close your business tax certificate. Please send us a note with the business name and the date you closed your business and include your signature. Our mailing address is: City of Rohnert Park, P.O. Box 1489, Rohnert Park, CA 94927-1489). If you have any questions, please call the Business Tax Division at (707) 585-6725.

Massage Therapy Business Tax Certificate and CAMTC Certification

Required:

• Completed Business Tax Certificate application
• Current California Massage Therapy Council (CAMTC) Certification

Peddlers & Solicitors Tax Certificate and Permit

Required:

• Completed Business Tax Certificate application with full corporate information.
• Complete listing of the persons who will be soliciting in Rohnert Park.
• Non-Profit organizations will be required to submit documentation from the Federal Government and/or State of California (Franchise Tax Board) verifying tax exemption status. NO EXCEPTIONS. Verification of corporate status does not qualify. This verification must be made to the Business License Division every year to remain eligible to conduct business in Rohnert Park.
• Current Department of Public Safety Peddler & Solicitor Photo ID permit

Effective January 1, 2013

On September 19, 2012 Governor Brown signed into law SB-1186 which adds a state fee of $1 on any applicant for a local business license or similar instrument or permit, or renewal thereof. The purpose is to increase disability access and compliance with construction-related accessibility requirements and to develop educational resources for businesses in order to facilitate compliance with federal and state disability laws, as specified.

Under federal and state law, compliance with disability access laws is a serious and significant responsibility that applies to all California building owners and tenants with buildings open to the public. You may obtain information about your legal obligations and how to comply with disability access laws at the following agencies:

The Division of the State Architect at www.dgs.ca.gov/dsa/Home.aspx
The Department of Rehabilitation at www.rehab.cahwnet.gov
The California Commission on Disability Access at www.ccda.ca.gov

For more information please view the chaptered SB-1186 Bill here.