Article 1 — General Provisions

Ojai Municipal Code · 2026-07 edition · updated 2026-09-27 · Ojai

§ 6-1.101. Purpose.¶

This chapter is enacted to raise revenue for municipal purposes and is not intended for the regulation of businesses.

(§ 1, Ord. 777, eff. January 14, 2005)

§ 6-1.102. Registration and fees—When required—Exemptions.¶

(a) General requirements. It shall be unlawful for any person or entity to commence or carry on any trade, calling, business, exhibition, avocation or occupation within the City limits of the City without having first procured a business license certificate and paying the registration fee and annual tax therefor. Thereafter, all business license registration renewal fees and annual business license taxes shall be payable in advance on or before the anniversary date of the issuance of the certificate. Doing business shall include, but not be limited to, all individuals and firms who hold a fictitious business name statement, a State Board of Equalization resale permit or a listing in commercial directories such as the Yellow Pages, local business guide, real estate multiple listing book, reverse telephone directory from Pacific Bell or similar listing. Determinations that a firm or individual is doing business in the City may be appealed to the Finance Director.
(b) Fee exemptions. The Finance Director shall have the authority to waive business license registration fees and annual taxes to service clubs or non-profit charitable organizations.
(c) Non-profit festivals. Vendors selling items at weekend festivals conducted by non-profit organizations shall be exempt from the provisions of this chapter.
(d) Child and adult care exemptions. Residential care facilities for children or adults which service six or fewer persons shall not be subject to the provisions of this chapter.
(e) Exhibitions, concerts or lectures. The conduct of any entertainment, concert, exhibition or lecture on scientific, historical, literary, religious or moral subjects whenever the receipts of any such entertainment, concert, exhibition or lecture are to be appropriated to any church or school or to any religious or benevolent purpose within the City shall not be subject to the provisions of this chapter.
(f) Amount of fee. The amount of the business license registration fee required under this chapter shall be $25 or as determined by resolution of the City Council from time to time.
(g) Multiple businesses. Two or more separate and distinct businesses carried on at the same location, whether or not owned or controlled by the same individual or entity, shall each require a separate business license certificate. A single business carried on at multiple locations within the City shall require a separate business license certificate for each such location.

(§ 1, Ord. 777, eff. January 14, 2005, as amended by § 1, Ord. 779, eff. February 25, 2005)

§ 6-1.103. Posting required.¶

Every person, firm or corporation having a business license certificate under the provisions of this chapter and carrying on a trade, calling, business, profession, exhibition, avocation or

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City of Ojai, CA

BUSINESSES, PROFESSIONS, AND TRADES

§ 6-1.103

§ 6-1.108

occupation at a particular fixed and permanent place of business shall keep such certificate posted and exhibited while the same is in force in some conspicuous place therein. (§ 1, Ord. 777, eff. January 14, 2005, as amended by § 1, Ord. 779, eff. February 25, 2005)

§ 6-1.104. No fixed location of business—Possession of registration required.¶

Every person, firm or corporation having a business license certificate under the provisions of this chapter who does not carry on a trade, calling, business, profession, exhibition, avocation or occupation at a particular fixed and permanent place of business shall carry his or her certificate with him or her at all times while carrying on such business for which the certificate is issued and shall exhibit the same to any police officer of the City or any person authorized by the City to issue certificates or to collect fees and taxes for the same. (§ 1, Ord. 777, eff. January 14, 2005)

§ 6-1.105. Trade names and separate locations.¶

The business license registration application must include each trade name and separate location in the City used in the conduct of any business, delivery, etc., within the limits of the City. (§ 1, Ord. 777, eff. January 14, 2005)

§ 6-1.106. Businesses requiring certificate of occupancy and zoning clearance.¶

(a) All commercial, industrial and miscellaneous buildings within the City which are used for a business requiring a business license certificate under this chapter must have a certificate of occupancy issued by the Community Development Department before a business license certificate may be issued. Existing buildings which are structurally altered and which are used for a business requiring a business license certificate under this chapter must also have a certificate of occupancy issued by the Community Development Department before a business license certificate may be issued.
(b) Businesses that handle hazardous materials and chemicals must receive a Fire Department clearance before a business license certificate may be issued.
(§ 1, Ord. 777, eff. January 14, 2005)

§ 6-1.107. Other fees.¶

(a) No business license certificate issued to any person shall be transferable to any other person. If a business license certificate is issued authorizing a person to transact, engage in and carry on a business at a particular place, such licensee may, upon application therefor and payment of the fee set forth in this section, have the business license amended to authorize the transacting, engaging in and carrying on of such business under the business license at another location to which the business has been or is to be moved. Businesses requesting an amended business license certificate shall be subject to a new zoning clearance and Fire Department review prior to issuance of the amended business license certificate. Amended business license certificates will be charged a fee of $25 or such other service fee as may be adopted by resolution of the City Council from time to time.
(b) Businesses which require an immediate duplicate copy of their business license certificate shall pay a fee of $10 or such other service fee as may be adopted by resolution of the City Council from time to time.
(§ 1, Ord. 777, eff. January 14, 2005)

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City of Ojai, CA § 6-1.108

OJAI CODE

§ 6-1.113

§ 6-1.108. Thirty-day temporary registration.¶

Businesses which need a business license certificate prior to completion of the business certification process may request a 30 day temporary business license certificate upon payment of the first year's business license registration fee and annual tax. A 30 day temporary business license certificate will be issued by the Finance Director for use during the interim period. However, the temporary business license certificate may be revoked at any time upon failure to meet the requirements for a permanent business license certificate. In such case, the annual tax, but not the registration fee, will be refunded. (§ 1, Ord. 777, eff. January 14, 2005)

§ 6-1.109. Fee and taxes deemed debt to city—Liability.¶

The amount of such business license fees and taxes required under this chapter shall be a debt to the City and such person or entity required to have such business license registration shall be liable to the City for the amount of the business license fee and tax, together with costs of suit and any attorney's fees incurred in a civil action brought to collect the fee and/or tax; provided, however, that criminal prosecution, including arrest and conviction hereunder, shall not be construed as a waiver of the right of the City to bring a civil action to collect a business license registration fee and/or tax.

(§ 1, Ord. 777, eff. January 14, 2005)

§ 6-1.110. Renewal notices.¶

The City shall send out an annual notice to all business certificate holders in confirming to them that a renewal payment is due. The City shall send out a second notice prior to the registration certificate due date reminding the business owner that a renewal payment is due. Both of these notices are sent as a courtesy only and receipt of the notice is not required before payment of the annual renewal fee is due.

(§ 1, Ord. 777, eff. January 14, 2005)

§ 6-1.111. Renewal fee.¶

The amount of the business license renewal fee required under this chapter shall be $10 or such other service fee as may be adopted by resolution of the City Council from time to time. (§ 1, Ord. 777, eff. January 14, 2005)

§ 6-1.112. Refunds permitted when.¶

Where an application, fees and taxes have been submitted and, because of administrative, legal, procedural or substantive requirements, the Finance Director, in his or her sole discretion, has determined that the collection of such fees or taxes, or both, is inappropriate, a refund of all or a portion of such fees and taxes may be returned to the applicant.

(§ 1, Ord. 777, eff. January 14, 2005, as amended by § 2, Ord. 779, eff. February 25, 2005; repealed and replaced by § 2, Ord. 779, eff. February 25, 2005)

§ 6-1.113. License periods.¶

(a) License years. The license year shall commence on January 1 of each year and shall expire on December 31 of the calendar year issued.

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City of Ojai, CA

BUSINESSES, PROFESSIONS, AND TRADES

§ 6-1.113

§ 6-1.114

(b) Annual period. Licenses shall be issued upon an annual basis. All fees and taxes shall be due and payable in advance on January 1 of each year.
(c) Daily licenses. Fees and taxes for business licenses issued upon a daily basis shall be due and payable each day in advance. The amount of such fees and taxes shall be determined by resolution of the City Council.
(d) Partial periods. When an annual business license is required, any person commencing a business after the expiration of the first quarter of the license year may secure a license for the unexpired portion of the license year for the proportionate part of the full business license fee and tax as determined by the Finance Director.
(e) Due dates. Except as otherwise provided in this section, payment of the amount of business license fees and taxes shall be made by each licensee at the time the first or initial business license is issued and without deduction in the amount of such fees and taxes for the time elapsed from the commencement of the business license tax.
(§ 1, Ord. 777, eff. January 14, 2005, as amended by §§ 3 and 4, Ord. 779, eff. February 25, 2005)

§ 6-1.114. Administration—Licenses—Issuance—Form.¶

It shall be the duty of the Finance Director or his or her designee to:

(a) Administer the provisions of this chapter and issue such rules and regulations necessary for its implementation. All decisions of the Finance Director in this regard are subject to appeal to the City Council;
(b) Prepare and issue a business license pursuant to the provisions of this chapter for every person liable to pay a business license tax. Such license shall state the amount of he tax paid thereof, the period of time covered thereby, the name of the person to whom the license is issued, the business licensed and the location where the business is to be carried on;
(c) Determine that the proposed business, trade or occupation for which a business license is sought shall be conducted in a proper location for the conduct of such business and that such business will be carried on at such location in such manner that the business will not be in violation of laws or injuriously affect the public health, peace, safety, morals or general welfare.
(§ 1, Ord. 777, eff. January 14, 2005)

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City of Ojai, CA § 6-1.201

BUSINESSES, PROFESSIONS, AND TRADES

§ 6-1.204

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