Business Licenses

The Department of Resource Management (707-784-6765) issues business licenses for businesses located in the unincorporated area of Solano County.
 
If your business is located within the incorporated areas (city limits) of Solano County, please use the following contacts:

    City of Benicia -  (707) 266-7059  
    City of Dixon - (707) 678-7000 
    City of Fairfield - (707) 428-7509 
    City of Rio Vista - (707) 374-2205 
    City of Suisun City - (707) 421-7320  
    City of Vacaville - (707) 449-5185  
    City of Vallejo - (707) 302-6074 

Business License Regulations and Exemptions

The Solano County Code Chapter 14 BUSINESS LICENSES defines the requirements, application processing and exemptions.  Solano County Code section 14-17 Exemptions states:

(a)  A service provider who does not have a fixed place of business in the unincorporated area of the county, and who has a valid business license issued by any California city or county, is exempt from this chapter.

(b)  All agricultural or viticultural businesses that produce agricultural commodities including feedstock, nursery stock, produce, livestock, dairy or poultry (or their products) shall be exempt from the requirements of obtaining a business license under this chapter unless any of the products sold are not grown or produced by the business on the premises within Solano County which is controlled by the producer. Agricultural businesses engaged exclusively in wholesale are exempt from a business license requirement.

Business License Zoning Clearance

Before a new Business License application can be accepted, an approved Business License Zoning Clearance by the Planning Services Division is required. Planning Services staff will evaluate the proposed business activity for consistency with zoning regulations and inform you of any additional permit requirements that may be required prior to operating the business.

Please read this full page prior to applying online. 

1.  Use the Solano County applications portal to submit a Business License Zoning Clearance Form.  You must CREATE AN ACCOUNT if not already registered.  From the HOME screen select >Submit an Application >Planning >Business License Zoning Clearance Form.  There is NO FEE  to apply and submit the zoning clearance form. 

a.  Be sure to provide complete and accurate information to avoid processing delays and upload a site plan showing the entire legal parcel. Indicate on the plan all property boundaries, existing and proposed structures (include type of structure and its size), and any easements. In addition, indicate distances from all existing and proposed buildings to property lines, other onsite buildings, septic systems, water wells, etc.

2. After you have submitted your zoning clearance form online, please contact Planning Services at (707) 784-6765 to schedule a site inspection between the hours of 8:30 am and 4:00 pm. This will normally take 10-15 minutes. An additional inspection may be necessary upon application for a Business License.

Once your Business License Zoning Clearance has been approved, the Business License Coordinator will contact you with information to submit a Business License Application.