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.
Topanga, CA
Garage conversions to ADUs in unincorporated Topanga are governed by LA County Code Title 22 §22.140.640 and California Government Code §65852.2. No replacem...
Topanga, CA
Topanga is an unincorporated CDP in Los Angeles County governed by LA County Code Title 22 §22.140.640 (Accessory Dwelling Units and Junior Accessory Dwellin...
Los Angeles County, CA
The 2022 LA County Curb Management Strategy prioritizes pickup and dropoff over parking and loading in commercial corridors. DPW retrofits curb zones using a...
Los Angeles County, CA
LA County Code Title 12.84 bans expanded polystyrene takeout containers at unincorporated-area food businesses. California AB-1201 sets ASTM compostability l...
Los Angeles County, CA
LA County Code Title 12.84 (Ord. 2008-0006) bans expanded polystyrene foam cups at all county facilities and food vendors operating on county property. Calif...
Los Angeles County, CA
California AB-1276 prohibits restaurants and food vendors from automatically providing single-use foodware accessories. Utensils, straws, condiments, and sti...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Los Angeles County.
See how other cities in Los Angeles County handle business tax classification.
See how Topanga's business tax classification rules stack up against other locations.
Quick Compare
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.