Business License & Zone Clearance Application

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For information about  other types of permits, licenses, or approvals you may need from other agencies, please go to the CalGold webpage at:  https://www.calgold.ca.gov/

Businesses in commercial areas need to obtain a Zone Clearance Form prior to the issuance of a business license. This is necessary to establish a new business, as well as to relocate an existing business in Redlands. Follow the link provided below to apply for a business license.

Zone Clearance Form

You will need to complete a Zone Clearance form as part of the business license application process. To check to see if your proposed use is going to be allowable at the desired business location, please contact the Planning Division (click here) prior to completing and submitting a Zone Clearance Form.

It is NOT necessary to sign a lease or enter into any other type of contract for you to apply for a business license or submit a Zone Clearance Form. 

Instructions

Download the Zone Clearance Form to your desktop before completing and signing the form. The form fields can be filled in and saved. You can then save your information on your desktop, you can come back and complete it later if necessary, and then keep a copy for your records. 

Complete the form with as much information as possible and answer all questions. If you don’t know the information being requested, you can leave that item blank.

Business Description: This is very important and the more detail that can be provided will help expedite the review. Be sure to describe completely and in detail the  proposed use(s) and activities that are to occur at the listed business location. Two- or three-word descriptions are rarely adequate (and will often require follow-up and requests for more information, which can slow the review). 

Questions?

If you have any questions about the form or information being requested on the form, please contact us at the One Stop Permit Center at (909) 798 – 7551 and then press 3 for Planning.

How to apply for a Business License 

Go to the Revenue Division webpage to submit your Business License application form electronically (click here) and the Zone Clearance Form, and pay the applicable fees.  

What Happens Next? 

Your Zone Clearance Form will be routed to the following City departments for review:

  • Planning Division: Zoning Regulations (RMC Title 18 or Specific Plans)
  • Building & Safety: Calif. Building Code and RMC Title 15
  • Fire Department: Calif. Fire Code and RMC Title 15
  • Municipal Utilities & Engineering Dept.: National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) regulations for potential wastewater or other by-products from the business 

If the proposed business can be approved without the need for any additional permits, inspections, or Certificate of Occupancy, then the business license will be approved and issued.

ADDITIONAL PERMITS: In the event that additional permit of some type will be necessary (e.g., Conditional Use Permit, building permit, fire permit or HazMat, or NPDES permit), then specific remarks will be provided in the Comments section and then HDL will convey the comments back to the applicant. In some cases, approval may be withheld until any required permits or inspections are obtained and the necessary work completed (prior to opening to the public). 

The following telephone numbers are provided for reference if applicants need more information or clarification about any of the comments, permits, or regulations:

  • Planning Division: (909) 798 – 7551 extension 3
  • Building & Safety Division: (909) 798 – 7536
  • Fire Dept., Fire Prevention Division: (909) 798 – 7601 
  • Municipal Utilities & Engineering Dept., NPDES: (909) 798 - 7698

INSPECTIONS:  In some cases, the business owner or operator may need to schedule an inspection of the business location by Building Division and/or Fire Department staff (either prior to or subsequent to issuance of a business license). In some cases, the inspection may be necessary prior to opening your business to the public (to ensure public safety). If you have any questions about Building Code requirements, occupancy rating, possible inspections, or other steps prior to opening your business, please be sure to call the Building Division in the One Stop Permit Center and speak with a permit technician.  

Other Permits

In addition to a business license, additional permits may be necessary. If you intend to do any construction or improvements to the tenant space, please contact Building staff in the One Stop Permit Center for further information.  In some cases, a Building Permit or Fire Permit from the City may be required for the proposed construction or activity (prior to opening to the public), including but not limited to:

  • Interior tenant improvements
  • Changes to electrical wiring, mechanical systems, structural systems, etc.
  • Change of occupancy or Building Code rating 
  • Special occupancy ratings (e.g., public assembly uses, educational, etc.)
  • Installing a hood system (e.g., restaurants)
  • Installing fire sprinklers
  • High-pile storage (e.g., warehouses)
  • Use or storage of hazardous materials

This process and requirements are designed to ensure public safety in the construction and operation of places of business.  

Permit Assistance & Other Resources

For further information about  other types of permits, licenses, or approvals you may need from other agencies (depending on the type of use or business activities), please go to the CalGold webpage:  https://www.calgold.ca.gov/

If you have other questions about business assistance or are searching for commercial sites, please visit our Economic Development webpage: https://www.cityofredlands.org/economic-development

F.A.Q.

Q: If I want to change my business location in Redlands, do I need to update my business license? 
A: Yes, you will need to apply for a new business license with the new address. 

Q: If I need to change the ownership for the business, do I need a new business license? 
A: Yes, you should apply to obtain a business license with the new owner’s name. 

Q: If I want to change the type of business or use and keep my same location, do I need a new business license?
A: Yes, a change of use requires a new business license for the new type of activity. 

Q: I want to hang a banner or temporary sign for my business (grand opening, special sales events, etc.). What are the requirements? 
A: Please see the Sign Regulations for further information (Article III of Chapter 15.36 – click here). 

Q: If I want to operate a business from my residence, do I need a business license?
A: Yes, in most cases. In addition, you will need a Home Occupation Permit (click here).

Grand Opening Events 

Some types of Grand Opening events (such as those held in a parking lot) may need to apply for a Special Event permit from the Planning Division. Special event facilities may be approved for a maximum of three (3) consecutive days of use, and a maximum of four (4) permits may be issued to any property in any calendar year.

Click here to go to the Planning Applications page.
The application filing fee is $385.00 for a Temporary or Special Event Permit.

Further information about the code requirements can be found in RMC Chapter 18.195 (click here). 

Other types of permits may be needed depending on the proposed facilities or activities, such as an electrical permit (from the Building & Safety Division) if the facility needs to be energized. For large tents or canopies, other Building or Fire Dept. permits may be needed. Please contact the Building Division staff in the One Stop Permit Center if you have any questions about additional permit requirements. 

For Grand Opening banners or temporary signs, a Temporary Sign Permit is required from the Planning Division. The application form is available on the Planning Applications page (click here). Please see the Sign Regulations for further information about banners and temporary signs (Article III of Chapter 15.36 – click here). 

Temporary Sales & Special Events 

Temporary sales and other special events (such as those held in a parking lot) will need to apply for a Temporary Sales & Special Event permit from the Planning Division. Special event facilities may be approved for a maximum of three (3) consecutive days of use, and a maximum of four (4) permits may be issued to any property in any calendar year.

Click here to go to the Planning Applications page.
The application filing fee is $385.00 for a Temporary or Special Event Permit.

Further information about the code requirements can be found in RMC Chapter 18.195 (click here). 

Other types of permits may be needed depending on the proposed facilities or activities, such as an electrical permit (from the Building & Safety Division) if the facility needs to be energized. For large tents or canopies, other Building or Fire Dept. permits may be needed. Please contact the Building Division staff in the One Stop Permit Center if you have any questions about additional permit requirements. 

For  temporary signs related to special sales events, a Temporary Sign Permit is required from the Planning Division. The application form is available on the Planning Applications page (click here). Please see the Sign Regulations for further information about banners and temporary signs (Article III of Chapter 15.36 – click here). 

Temporary Holiday Sales 

A “holiday sales facility” means an indoor or outdoor facility established during the period beginning on September 15 and ending on January 15 which is devoted primarily to the sale of goods and services related to the holidays occurring during this period (e.g., Halloween pumpkins, Christmas trees and decorations, and the like). Temporary holiday sales facilities are permitted in any zoning district.

Click here to go to the Planning Applications page.
The application filing fee is $316.00 for a Temporary Holiday Sales Application.

Further information about the code requirements can be found in RMC Chapter 18.194 (click here). 

Other types of permits may be needed depending on the proposed facilities or activities, such as an electrical permit (from the Building & Safety Division) if the facility needs to be energized. For large tents or canopies, other Building or Fire Dept. permits may be needed. Please contact the Building Division staff in the One Stop Permit Center if you have any questions about additional permit requirements. 

For  temporary signs related to holiday sales events, a Temporary Sign Permit is required from the Planning Division. The application form is available on the Planning Applications page (click here). Please see the Sign Regulations for further information about banners and temporary signs (Article III of Chapter 15.36 – click here).