Ë Anyone wishing to carry on commerce within the corporate City limits must first obtain a City Business License; the business doesn’t have to be physically located in Ripon. (Ord. 477 & 2 (part), 1991)

Issuance of a business license evidences that the person(s), firm or corporation has paid the applicable fee required by the City of Ripon Code. Issuance of a business license does not relive the applicant of the requirements to comply with other regulations of city, county, state or federal government agencies, nor does it constitute endorsement of the applicant, his employees or product by the City or its employees.

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Ë Applications may be picked up at City Hall, 259 N. Wilma Avenue -- Office Hours are 8:00 a.m. through 5:00 p.m., Monday thru Friday. 

Ë You can request an application by mail. Please address your request to:

City of Ripon
259 N. Wilma Avenue
Ripon, CA 95366
Attention: Carla

Ë  You can also phone Carla with your request at City Hall -- (209) 599-2108

Ë  or, contact Carla by e-mail: crodriguez@cityofripon.org

Ë  Applications are also available to download from this site. >click here<

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Ë  Business Licenses are issued in January of each year and expire on December 31^st the same year. For new Business License Applicants, fees are not prorated. The total annual fee is required regardless of the date applying; however, any completed Applications received after November 30th of the current year will be processed for the next year. Renewal notices are mailed in December as a courtesy reminder. Payment is due on January 1st and considered delinquent if not received by January 31st. A late charge will be assessed if not received by January 31st.

Ë  If you are no longer conducting business in Ripon, you must notify the Business License Division in writing; otherwise, it will be assumed that you are still conducting business in Ripon and you will continue to receive notices requesting payment. 

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What if I have more than one Business?

Ë  Separate Business Licenses, including appropriate fees, are required for each business carried on at the same location or elsewhere within City limits. Proof, however, may be submitted to the City Clerk of the City of Ripon that a particular business which is carried on at the same location is not in fact a separate and distinct business operation, and that the business activities of said business are connected with, a part of, and necessary to the operation and performance of other licensed business activity for which a business license is required which is also carried on at the same business location. (Ord. 507 & 2, 1992)

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Can I operate from my home?

Ë  Certain types of businesses are allowed to operate from the home. They are generally limited to those which use equipment normally found in the home.

Ë  For home based businesses, a Home Occupation Permit is required in addition to a Business License. This permit is good for two calendar years effective January 1st. Fees are not prorated. Applications are available at City Hall or can be mailed upon request. For more information on Home Occupation Permits, contact City Hall.

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How long does it take before I receive my License?

Ë  Please allow one to two weeks for processing and approval of your Business License Application. When a Home Occupation Permit is required, please allow an additional two weeks.

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Who can I contact for assistance?

Ë Should you have any questions regarding Business License Applications, our staff at City Hall will be happy to assist you. Please contact the City of Ripon at (209) 599-2108.

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Fictitious Business Name

Ë  If you plan to use a fictitious name for your business, you must obtain a Fictitious Business Permit from the San Joaquin County Recorder’s Office. 468-3939

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Are there exemptions?

Ë Exemptions from the business license requirements are granted to those engaged in the following:

Banks and Financial Institutions

Churches, religious societies, fraternal societies, patriotic societies or charitable societies located within the city; provided no other person, firm, copartnership or corporation derives any profit, compensation or direct benefit from any business enterprise by any of the foregoing undertaken or joined in. Those churches, religious societies, fraternal societies, patriotic societies or other charitable societies located outside the city shall file a Non-Profit Business Permit Application with the city for obtaining a free license for soliciting within the city limits.

Doctors, lawyers, architects, dentists and other similar professional persons not having a fixed place of business within the city who are called upon to come to the city to render occasional isolated services unless on a regularly scheduled basis.

Farmers, Poultrymen or Horticulturists who may sell exclusively their own produce grown by themselves, either at their homes or farms or by house-to-house sale.

Insurance Companies

Trucking, transport or hauling companies, or deliverymen, who are called upon to come into the city to render occasional services for another entity.

NOTE: Exemption from the business license requirements does not exempt you from other permits/licenses that may pertain to your business.