Please click here if you are planning on starting a new business in Mill Valley. 
Application for Business License in PDF Chapter 5.04 of the Mill Valley Municipal Code requires an original signature for Applications for Business Licenses. So while we can't accept electronic business license applications over the Internet, we have made the application available here in Acrobat PDF for you to download, print out and complete.
To apply for a license, return the fully completed and signed application, along with your license fee to City Hall, 26 Corte Madera Avenue. The Finance Department is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 12 noon and again from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. We are closed alternate Fridays.
Or you can send it via snail-mail to...
Finance Department
City of Mill Valley
26 Corte Madera Ave
Mill Valley, CA 94941
Phone: (415) 388-4033
If you have any questions, or if we can assist you in completing the application, please call the City of Mill Valley Business License Dept. at (415) 388-4033.
Business License Tax Information
The City of Mill Valley requires a business license for any business activity within city limits. Applications must be made and approved before operations begin.
The license year begins on July 1 and ends on June 30 of each year. Fees are due from the first date of business license activity. Penalties may be charged for past due fees. Fees for a new operation starting after October 1, January 1 or April 1 may be pro-rated.
General Businesses
General business operations are classified A, B or C according to the table below. License fees in these classes are based on a 12-month estimate of gross receipts.
Determine your General Business Classification...
| Class A |
Class B |
Class C |
Auto repairs
Construction contractors
Laundry services
Manufacturing
Retail trade
Wholesale trade
Gas station
Antiques |
Architectural services
Beauty services
Building services
Commercial rentals
Engineering services
Landscaping services
Travel services
(All businesses not specifically listed elsewhere) |
Accounting services
Financial services
Insurance services
Legal services
Management services
Medical/Health services
Public relations
Real Estate services
|
then calculate your annual business license tax
| Gross Receipts Range |
Class A |
Class B |
Class C |
| $0-7,500 |
$15.00 |
$22.50 |
$30.00 |
| 7,501-15,000 |
30.00 |
45.00 |
60.00 |
| 15,001-25,000 |
45.00 |
67.50 |
90.00 |
| 25,001-50,000 |
60.00 |
90.00 |
120.00 |
| 50,001-100,000 |
100.00 |
150.00 |
200.00 |
| 100,001-250,000 |
150.00 |
250.00 |
300.00 |
| 250,001-500,000 |
300.00 |
375.00 |
450.00 |
| 500,001-750,000 |
450.00 |
562.00 |
675.00 |
| 750,001-1,000,000 |
600.00 |
750.00 |
900.00 |
| 1,000,001-2,000,000 |
800.00 |
1,000.00 |
1,200.00 |
| 2,000,001-3,000,000 |
1,000.00 |
1,250.00 |
1,500.00 |
| 3,000,001-4,000,000 |
1,200.00 |
1,500.00 |
1,800.00 |
| 4,000,001-5,000,000 |
1,400.00 |
1,750.00 |
2,100.00 |
| 5,000,001-10,000,000 |
2,000.00 |
2,500.00 |
3,000.00 |
| 10,000,001 and over |
3,000.00 |
3,750.00 |
4,500.00 |
Delivery Businesses
Delivery business license taxes are based on the following schedule.
| Not exceeding 1/2 ton capacity, per vehicle |
22.50 |
| Over 1/2 ton capacity, per vehicle |
37.50 |
| Over 1/ton capacity, per vehicle |
75.00 |
| Over 1 1/2 ton capacity, per vehicle |
112.00 |
| Over 2 to 3 ton capacity, per vehicle |
150.00 |
| Over 3 ton capacity, per vehicle |
225.00 |
Living Accommodations
Living accommodations include hotel, motel, apartment, rooming house, house rental, etc. The annual business license tax is $15.00 per dwelling unit.
Other Licenses
| Auctioneers without a fixed place of business in Mill Valley |
$500 per year or $50 per day |
| Carnivals and Fairs |
$400 first day, $300 each additional day
(plus concession charge) |
| Christmas Tree Lots |
$45.00 per year |
| Circuses |
$750.00 first day, $562.50 each additional day |
| Peddlers or Solicitors |
$500.00 per year |
| Taxicab |
$60.00 per vehicle, per year |
Commercial Filming
| Persons Employed at Location |
Rate Per Day |
| 1 to 3 |
$150.00 |
| 4 to 6 |
300.00 |
| 7 to 9 |
600.00 |
| 10 & over |
900.00 |
| Do you live within Mill Valley city limits? That's important to know for sure when seeking a business license. Some Mill Valley addresses (such as those in Strawberry, Tam Valley, Homestead, Almonte and Alto) are actually in unincorporated portions of Marin County -- out of our jurisdiction. Check your street address here to find out. |