Business License FAQs

Please read the Guide to Starting a New Business.

A City business license application is required to be filed for a new business. The business license application fee is $108, which includes a $4 State fee for disability access (AB-1379). Once a business license has been issued, the City will email an annual renewal notice to the business contact. A business license can be applied for online on Santee's Permitting & Licensing Portal.

Please allow 2 weeks for your application to be processed if your business is based in the City. Businesses based outside of the City can be approved upon receipt of a complete application and fee.  Business should not be conducted without an approved license.

In addition to a business license, certain types of businesses also require a regulatory business permit application with the appropriate fee. This application and fee is in addition to the business license. Review by the County of San Diego Sheriff Department will be required prior to approval of the application.

Some examples of Regulatory Permits include:

• Amusement establishments
• Auction and auctioneers
• Circuses and carnivals
• Entertainment/Public Dance
• Firearm sales
• Secondhand dealers
• Peddlers
• Solicitors

You can obtain the appropriate regulatory permit fee amount and regulatory permit application on Santee's Permitting & Licensing Portal. Allow up to six weeks for processing.

For additional information, email Tanya Espinola, Account Clerk at tespinola@cityofsanteeca.gov or call 619-258-4100 ext.146.

Renewal notices are emailed on an on-going basis. Business licenses expire one (1) year from issuance.  A business license can be renewed online on Santee's Permitting & Licensing Portal. The annual business license renewal fee is currently $42, which includes a $4 State fee for disability access (AB-1379)

A business license application is required for a change of address to an existing business or a change of business name. There is currently a fee of $48, only for a change of location for business licenses located in the City, which follows the same approval process as a new business license.

Licenses are not transferable. Changes to ownership requires a new business license application and the old account will be closed out.

For information on existing businesses in the City of Santee, email Tanya Espinola, Account Clerk at tespinola@cityofsanteeca.gov or call 619-258-4100 ext.146.

A city business license is required for any business conducted within a residential dwelling in Santee by the inhabitants of the dwelling. The application fee for a home occupation business is currently $62, which includes a $4 State fee for disability access (AB-1379). The annual business license renewal fee is currently $42, which includes a $4 State fee for disability access (AB-1379). A home occupation license can be applied for online via the Santee Permitting and Licensing Portal.

A complete and signed Home Occupation Rules Sheet is required in order to process the license application. If the applicant is not the owner of the residence, a Property Owner Authorization form is required to be completed and submitted with the license application as well.

Yes, you can prepare and/or sell food out of your home. In addition to a home occupation license, you can also apply for a Cottage Food Operation and Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operation.

Cottage Food Operation – Allows minor food production at residences. These are regulated by the County of San Diego, Department of Environmental Health, Food and Housing Division. 

Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operations (MEHKO) -- This San Diego County program requires application.

A business license expires one (1) year from issuance. Renewals are due on or before the expiration date. There is a 30 day grace period. Penalties are assessed each month the license is not renewed, currently at $17.50 per month. Businesses located out of the city are exempt from late fees. Renewals can be paid online on Santee's Permitting & Licensing Portal.

A copy of your business license certificate can be acquired by once you log into your account on Santee's Permitting & Licensing Portal.

For information on existing businesses in the City of Santee, email Tanya Espinola, Account Clerk at tespinola@cityofsanteeca.gov or call 619-258-4100 ext.146.