LA County Code Title 7 requires a county business license for trades operating in unincorporated areas, with classifications driving fees, inspections, and gross-receipts taxes. The Treasurer-Tax Collector and TTC Business License Unit administer the program.
Title 7 of the LA County Code lists more than 80 regulated business categories, from auctioneers to tow yards to massage establishments, each with classification-specific fees and standards. Most non-regulated commerce in unincorporated areas needs only a basic business license, while sensitive categories trigger LASD background checks and Department of Consumer and Business Affairs review. LA County does not impose a broad gross-receipts tax on most businesses, but specific categories pay flat or tiered fees set by Board ordinance. Cities such as Los Angeles run their own classification systems; a contractor working across jurisdictions may need multiple registrations layered on the county license.
Operating without the required Title 7 license exposes a business to misdemeanor charges, daily fines, equipment seizure for some categories, and a back-bill for unpaid fees plus interest under LA County Code Title 7.04.
See how other cities in Los Angeles County handle business tax classification.
See how Palmdale's business tax classification rules stack up against other locations.
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