Welcome to Lomita! We are pleased that you are becoming a part of our Lomita business community and we wish you much success. Taxes and fees collected as part of the Business License program help fund essential services in the City. The Business License Division is responsible for levying and collecting taxes, fees, and other assessments as well as licensing and permitting all businesses throughout the City. Clarification and definitions can be found in the Lomita Municipal Code, Title VI.

Title VI of the Lomita Municipal Code (Business, Professions and Trades) establishes business license rules and regulations within the City. As defined in Section 6-1.03 of the LMC, Businesses, professions and trades shall mean the conducting, carrying on, managing or operating of any purposeful activity, whether legal or illegal, profitable or unprofitable, intended to generate revenue, whether or not said business, profession or trade has a fixed place of business in the city.

In addition, the business license law shall apply to all persons conducting a business, profession or trade within the city whether or not such person maintains a fixed place of business in the city and whether or not such person may primarily conduct his business, profession or trade elsewhere.

For those businesses involving animals, the City of Lomita has contracted with the County of Los Angeles Department of Animal Care & Control to ensure that animals are cared for properly in animal-related businesses. These trained Animal Control officers inspect and grade dog and cat boarding facilities, pet shops, grooming parlors, animal menageries, non-profit humane organizations, animal training facilities, rooster facilities, animal exhibition events and mobile groomers. They also inspect businesses with guard dogs and establishments that require a conditional use permit. Letter grades are given to each business similar to the County’s restaurant grading system. Please see DACC’s information on facility licensing here.

How to Apply for a Business License

We’ve Gone Digital!

All steps of the business license application process can now be completed online.

What to Expect

As you move through the application process, you will be prompted to provide different information based on your answers to the application questions. All applicants are required to complete the zoning verification and the storm water form. Depending on your business, you may also be required to attach the following documents: driver’s license, Articles of Incorporation, Fictitious Business Statement, Resale License/Seller’s Permit, and applicable state licenses.

Questions

If you require assistance or have any questions, please contact the Business License Division (310) 325-7110 extension 137.

For information regarding the cost of obtaining a business license, please contact Business License at (310) 325-7110 extension 137.