Business License Information
Business License Fees
Due to the passage of Measure W (Business License Tax Measure), the deadline for 2025 business license renewals has been extended to February 28, 2025. Renewal notices will be mailed by the first week of January 2025. Penalties will not be applied until March 1, 2025.
All persons operating or doing business within the South San Francisco city limits are required to obtain a business license and pay the applicable fee per the Municipal Code, including businesses that operate from home.
Important Highlights/Updates to business license tax:
Construction Contractors (Muni Code 6.16.050): Starting in 2025, the City’s business license tax on Construction Contractors is changing. To maintain an active City license, Contractors must annually file online or through the Finance Department, which will only include the $4 State Mandated Fee as per SB1186.
In addition, the new business license tax of 0.18% of permit valuation will be assessed at the time of the permit application. This tax applies to all permits submitted starting January 1, 2025. For more information, see Contractors 6.16.050: https://ecode360.com/43441395#43441435.
Rental of Residential Property (Muni Code 6.16.150): Starting in 2025, all property owners who make residential real property available for rental occupancy of more than 30 days must now maintain a valid business license. (This requirement was previously limited to multi-family residential properties with more than five units.) Also new in 2025, residential rental properties will be assessed a rate of $50 per unit based on the number of dwelling units. Please refer to the SSF Municipal Code for rates and fees. Rental of property 6.16.150: https://ecode360.com/43441395#43441507
Penalties and Delinquencies: the penalty for nonpayment will be 10% per month, up to a maximum of 100% of the underlying tax. This replaces the prior penalty structure that capped at 25%.
Overview and Instructions
All persons operating or doing business within the city limits of South San Francisco are required to obtain a business license per Municipal Code, including businesses that operate from home.
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:
Business License Renewal Information
Renewal Information
Additional Resources
Click here to redirect to the one-stop webpage for employers and employees outlining all existing resources. Please contact web-ecd@ssf.net or call (650) 829-6620 with additional questions.
Business License Regulations
Payments
New - Pay Online: Please visit permits.ssf.net to create an account and pay the Business License Tax Fees.
**For Business License tax fees, use “Public”. If you are paying permit fees, use “Contractor”**
Cannabis Business Tax Renewal Calculation
The business license tax formula for Cannabis is based on the type of business and is calculated as follows:
- One percent of gross receipts for cannabis testing
- Two percent of gross receipts for cultivation and distribution
- Three percent of gross receipts for manufacturing
- Three percent of gross receipts for delivery only and other commercial cannabis businesses
See Cannabis Business License Annual Tax Return(PDF, 649KB) which is sent out with the annual renewals.