For purposes of this chapter, unless it is plainly evident from the context that a different meaning is intended, the following terms used in this chapter are defined as follows:
"Board"
means the board of supervisors of Placer County.
"Business"
means all professions, trades, occupations, gainful activities, and all and every kind of calling, whether or not carried on for profit.
"Business permit"
means a permit issued by the treasurer-tax collector and required pursuant to the provisions of this chapter of the Placer County Code. All references and requirements of licenses stated in this revision shall be construed to encompass business permits as well.
"Convicted"
in relation to the outcome of criminal charges shall include a plea of nolo contender.
"County"
means the county of Placer generally and the unincorporated area of the county, particularly, depending on the context in which it is used.
"Fixed place of business"
means a particular place where an enterprise is either regularly conducted or kept open, including an enterprise conducted from a residence.
"General business license"
means a license issued by the treasurer-tax collector and required pursuant to the provisions of this chapter of the Placer County Code.
"Home business"
means any business operated in a residentially zoned location.
"Nonprofit, charitable organization"
means an organization exempt from the payment of bank and corporation taxes under the provisions of the California Revenue and Taxation Code Section 23701 and an organization to which a contribution or gift would be a charitable contribution under Internal Revenue Service regulations.
"Person"
means any person, party, firm, association, corporation, partnership, or profession transacting and carrying on any business in the county other than as an employee, including the soliciting of charitable contributions or donations through gift or sale of merchandise.
"Special business license"
means a license issued by the treasurer-tax collector pursuant to the provisions of this chapter of the Placer County Code that requires additional regulation and review by the county sheriff's department, or certification of compliance by other county departments for specified types of businesses which are potentially injurious to the public interest, are not regulated by the state in such a manner as to preempt local regulation, and which the health, safety and welfare of the community demand that such enterprises be operated by responsible persons in compliance with all laws, including any special regulations applicable to such businesses.
"Sworn statement"
means an affidavit sworn to before a person authorized to take oaths or a declaration or certification made under penalty of perjury.
"Tax collector"
means the treasurer-tax collector of Placer County.
"Temporary outdoor event permit"
means a permit approved by the zoning administrator and issued by the planning department, for limited term events which may require special conditions be met by the applicant prior to approval.
Note: Whenever reference in this chapter is made to the board of supervisors, treasurer-tax collector, or any other department, office, division, officer or official, the reference shall be deemed to include a county employee, as subordinate to the officer or official to whom an appropriate delegation has been made, and shall be entitled to exercise power or authority and perform the duty.
(Prior code § 5.300)
This chapter shall apply to all businesses being operated and conducted within the unincorporated area of the county. Every person not having a fixed place of business within the county shall pay a license fee at the same rate set forth in this chapter for persons engaged in the same type of business having a fixed place of business within the unincorporated area of the county. The determination of the type of business an applicant is engaged in, or about to engage in, shall be the administrative function of the tax collector.
(Prior code § 5.305)
A. 
The treasurer-tax collector shall charge and collect the following license fees. Beginning on July 1, 1998, these fees shall be automatically adjusted annually on the first day of July at the same rate as the State of California Department of Industrial Relations Consumer Price Index—California for All Urban Consumers. The adjustment shall be calculated on the 12 month period from April 1st through March 31st of each year. Adjusted fees shall be rounded to the nearest dollar.
General business license
$107.00
Special business license
107.00
General/special business license renewal
16.00
Business permit/renewal
27.00
B. 
Fees related to the costs which a department incurs in reviewing and acting upon a particular type of application for a license may be made payable within a general fee collected by the tax collector. In some cases, a department may charge a separate fee for services. Additional fees may be charged by the department reviewing and acting upon the application as a condition precedent to processing of the approval required from the department. These additional fees required may be for supplementary services such as required permits, building inspections and fingerprinting.
C. 
The board of supervisors may, by ordinance, prescribe fees for the issuance and renewal of general business licenses, special business licenses, business permits and fees for filing appeals relating to denial for such licenses or permits or the revocation thereof. Such fees shall be for the sole purpose of defraying costs incurred in the administration of this chapter, and shall be prescribed in amounts yielding revenues which do not exceed the costs of administration of each office and department charged with responsibility under this chapter.
D. 
To the extent the board determines to be practical, such fees may be varied in amounts for different types of licenses, types of businesses, issuance and renewal, and on the basis of other factors, for the sole purpose of apportioning relative regulatory costs to parties regulated. Enterprises operated by certain types of nonprofit organizations may be exempt from fees for the issuance or renewal of business licenses, or appeals associated with the denial or revocation thereof.
E. 
All fees for the issuance and renewal of licenses shall be paid at the time of and with the filing of the application or renewal with the tax collector. All fees for an appeal shall be paid at the time of and with the filing of the appeal. No application or request for appeal shall be deemed valid or complete until all prescribed fees have been paid.
F. 
No person shall be entitled to a business license or renewal, and the tax collector shall not issue such license or renewal to any person, if business taxes associated with said business are due and payable, including delinquent taxes and penalties pursuant to California Revenue and Taxation Code.
G. 
The amount of any license fee imposed by the provisions of this chapter shall be deemed a debt to the county. An action may be commenced in any court of competent jurisdiction for the amount of any delinquent license fee and penalties. Should court action be required to collect any license fee or penalties, the defendant shall be liable for costs of suit, including attorney's fee.
(Prior code § 5.310)
A. 
The term for each type of business license, business permit and renewal shall be one year unless revoked sooner or otherwise specified in this chapter.
B. 
The tax collector is not required to send a renewal, delinquency or other notice or bill to any person subject to the provisions of this chapter; and failure to send such notice shall not affect the validity of any license fee or penalty due under the provisions of this chapter.
(Prior code § 5.315)
As required by state law, all persons obtaining a business license must complete a declaration of coverage affirming that all workers compensation requirements have been met. The tax collector or other county authority may, at any time, require an employer to provide proof of insurance as stated in California Labor Code 3711.
(Prior code § 5.320)
No license fee collected under the provisions of this chapter shall be refundable in any manner, unless the licensee can document to the satisfaction of the tax collector that the licensee had overpaid the license fee and, within a period of one year from the date on which overpayment was made, files a claim against the county for a refund from the tax collector for such overpayment.
(Prior code § 5.325)
For failure to pay a license or permit fee due, the tax collector shall add a penalty of 100% of said license fee beginning 30 days after the expiration date. Licenses not renewed within 60 days of license expiration will be canceled. Persons who fail to renew their license during the prescribed renewal period will be required to submit a new application and license fee, in addition to any previous penalties due.
(Prior code § 5.330; Ord. 5006-B (part), 1999)
A. 
It is unlawful for any person to commence, transact, engage in, or carry on any business in the county without first having obtained a valid business license or permit, paid the license or permit fee, and complied with any and all applicable provisions to this chapter and as specified in this chapter.
B. 
If a person has failed to apply for and secure a valid license prior to commencement of the business, in addition to the license fee, a penalty of 50% of the license fee will be added for each year, or portion thereof, not to exceed $250, in which the person was engaged in business without a valid license.
C. 
If the tax collector has reasonable cause to believe that a person is conducting business without a license and submits a written request to said person to apply for a license and such person fails to apply within the period prescribed by the tax collector, or the tax collector is not satisfied with the information supplied in any statement or application filed, the tax collector may determine the amount of the license fee due from such person by means of such information as the tax collector may be able to obtain.
(Prior code § 5.335; Ord. 5006-B (part), 1999)
A. 
It shall be the duty of the tax collector to collect the license fees, issue the licenses, and perform the duties required by this chapter. The county sheriff, county code enforcement officer, and other officials may render such assistance as may be requested by the tax collector and the provisions of this chapter.
B. 
The tax collector may adopt such rules and regulations consistent with the purposes, intent, and express terms of this chapter as she deems necessary to supplement or clarify such provisions or aid in their enforcement.
C. 
The tax collector and deputies, county sheriff, county code enforcement officer, and other regulatory departments delegated such authority, shall be permitted to enter, free of charge during normal business hours, any such place of business required to be licensed under this chapter, for the purpose of inspection or to demand the display of any license required hereby.
D. 
The tax collector, county sheriff, county code enforcement officer, and other regulatory departments may, during the term of the license, require the licensee to complete a license information update form for the purpose of assuring continued compliance with this chapter. The licensee shall, within 15 calendar days of the date of mailing by the tax collector of such an information form, return the completed form to the tax collector with a copy to the county sheriff or other regulatory officer which has requested the information update form.
(Prior code § 5.340)
In the enforcement of any provisions of this chapter, when a person shall by use of signs, circulars, cards, telephone book or newspapers, advertise, hold out or represent that he or she is in business in the county, or when any person holds an active license or permit issued by a governmental agency indicating that he or she is in business in the county, and such person fails to deny by a sworn statement given to the tax collector that he or she is conducting a business in the county, after being requested to do so by the tax collector, then these facts shall be considered prima facie evidence that he or she is conducting a business in the county.
(Prior code § 5.345)
No license shall be required for:
A. 
Agricultural occupations or for the operation of stock, dairy or poultry farms.
B. 
All concessions operated under contract at the Placer County Fair.
C. 
Child care facilities who provide for 14 or fewer children and are licensed by the state of California.
D. 
Financial institutions licensed by the state of California (banks, savings and loans, credit unions, title and thrift companies).
E. 
Carriers licensed under the Public Utilities Commission or Interstate Commerce Commission.
F. 
A short-term rental unit in the "Eastern Placer County Short-Term Rental Area" as defined and subject to regulation pursuant to county code Chapter 9, Article 9.42.
(Prior code § 5.350; Ord. 6199-B § 1, 2023)
No license issued pursuant to the provisions of this chapter shall be transferable to another address, owner or type of business. If any of these circumstances occur, the license becomes void and a new license must be obtained.
(Prior code § 5.355)
A. 
Nothing in this chapter shall be deemed or construed to apply to any person transacting and carrying on any business exempt from fees by virtue of the Constitution or applicable statutes of the United States, or of the state of California.
B. 
Any person claiming an exemption from fees pursuant to this chapter shall file a sworn statement, as prescribed and with the tax collector, stating the facts upon which the exemption is claimed and shall furnish such information and verification as may be required. In the absence of such statement substantiating the claim, such person shall be liable for the payment of the license fee imposed by this chapter.
C. 
Upon a proper showing contained in the sworn statement, the tax collector shall issue a license to such person claiming the exemption from fees, pursuant to the provisions of this chapter, without payment to the county of the license fee imposed by this chapter.
D. 
The tax collector, after giving written notice to the licensee, may revoke any license granted pursuant to the provisions of this section upon information that the licensee is not entitled to the exemption as provided in this chapter.
(Prior code § 5.360)
The following types of businesses are exempt from the payment of business license fees:
A. 
Nonprofit. Any nonprofit, charitable organization exempt from the payment of bank and corporation taxes under the provisions of California Revenue and Taxation Code Section 23701 and an organization to which a contribution or gift would be a charitable contribution under Internal Revenue Service regulations. This exemption shall not apply to promoters employed by such nonprofit institutions, corporations or associations.
B. 
Limited Income. Minors (under the age of 18) and adults over the age of 65 years engaged in a business with annual gross receipts under $2,500.
(Prior code § 5.365)
A. 
A separate license shall be obtained for each branch and establishment or place of business in the unincorporated area of the county. If more than one business is operated from the same location and by the same person, a separate license is required for each type of business.
B. 
Warehouses and distributing plants used in connection with and incidental to a business licensed under the provisions of this chapter shall not be deemed to be separate places of business or branch establishments.
C. 
In instances where space within an office building, shopping center, warehouse, department store or other structure or property is leased for business or commercial use, each tenant of the premises operating an enterprise required to be licensed hereunder shall apply for and obtain the necessary licenses or permits as prescribed by this chapter.
(Prior code § 5.370)
A. 
Fixed Location. Any licensee conducting business from a fixed location shall keep the license posted in a conspicuous place upon the premises where such business is transacted.
B. 
Other. Any licensee not operating from a fixed place of business, shall keep the license upon his or her person at all times while conducting such business.
C. 
Identification Tags. Whenever identifying tags, stickers, plates or symbols have been issued for a vehicle, device, machine, or other piece of equipment included in the license fee, the person to whom such identification tags have been issued, shall keep such tags firmly affixed at location as reported to and approved by the tax collector. Such identification tags shall not be removed during the period for which the license has been issued. No person shall give away, sell or transfer any identification tags to another person or permit its use by another person.
D. 
Any person who has a license in his or her possession or under his or her control who wilfully fails to post or exhibit the same on demand is guilty of a misdemeanor and subject to penalties provided under Articles 1.16 and 1.24 of the Placer County Code.
(Prior code § 5.375)
A duplicate license may be issued by the tax collector to replace any license previously issued under the provisions of this chapter which has been lost or destroyed, upon the licensee filing an affidavit attesting to such fact, and at the time of filing such affidavit paying to the tax collector a fee for processing a duplicate license. The fee for such duplicate license shall be charged as established by Section 2.116.090.
(Prior code § 5.380)
A. 
Persons required to pay a license fee for transacting or carrying on any business under this chapter shall not be relieved from the payment of any fees for the privilege of carrying on any similar or related activity required under any other ordinance of the county and shall remain subject to the regulatory provisions of other ordinances.
B. 
No person shall be entitled to a business license, nor shall the tax collector issue a business license to any person commencing business, unless and until said person shall have complied with all applicable county ordinances.
(Prior code § 5.382)
A. 
Violation of any part of this chapter, including any applicant or designee who knowingly or intentionally misrepresents to any officer or employee of the county any material fact in obtaining the license or permit provided for by this chapter, is a misdemeanor and is punishable as provided by Articles 1.16 and 1.24 of the Placer County Code and California Government Code 25132.
B. 
Civil action may be instituted by the tax collector to collect delinquent license fees. In addition to delinquent fees collected, the county shall be entitled to the actual court costs incurred, which shall be paid into the county general fund.
(Prior code § 5.385)
The tax collector may refuse to issue a business license if any of the following conditions exist:
A. 
Fraudulent representations in the application;
B. 
Failure to furnish all information required by the application;
C. 
Failure to pay the required license fees;
D. 
When such business would be an improper land use under the county zoning ordinance;
E. 
Failure to pay current personal property taxes when due on personal property held in connection with the business licensed under this chapter;
F. 
The structure proposed for occupancy does not meet the inspection requirements of the county building department;
G. 
Violation of any federal or state law, or failure to meet the approval of any state or county agency having regulatory authority over that business, including but not limited to the county sheriff's department, county health department, county fire department, and local fire departments or fire districts;
H. 
Revocation of prior license pursuant to Section 5.08.210.
I. 
It has been determined that the health, safety and welfare of the public is jeopardized.
(Prior code § 5.390; Ord. 6336-B, 8/19/2025)
A. 
The tax collector may revoke any license issued under this chapter if any of the following conditions exist:
1. 
Violation of any condition of the license;
2. 
Violation of any provisions of this chapter;
3. 
License was obtained by fraud;
4. 
Licensee has been convicted of any crime, including misdemeanors, involving moral corruption;
5. 
Conducting the business in an unlawful manner or in such a manner as to be a nuisance to the public health, safety or welfare;
6. 
Failure to pay personal property taxes when due on personal property held in connection with the business licensed under this chapter;
7. 
A change is made in the structure occupied for business purposes, so that it no longer meets the requirements of the county building department.
B. 
No license may be revoked until the tax collector gives such business owner personal notice. Personal notice shall be in the form of a notice of intent to revoke license which will be delivered to the owner of the business in any one of the following manners:
1. 
By certified or registered mail addressed to the owner of the business as the owner's name and address appear on the application for a business license;
2. 
By delivering the notice in person to the owner, any partner or corporate officer named in the application for a business license;
3. 
By delivering the notice in person to any employee of the owner at the fixed place of business specified in the application for a business license;
4. 
By posting the notice in a conspicuous place upon the premises of the fixed place of business as specified in the application for a business license.
C. 
The notice of intent to revoke license, dated and signed by the tax collector or any authorized employee, shall identify the license affected by number, name of business and specify the grounds for which the license is to be revoked. The revocation, as specified in the notice, shall become effective after the appeal period has expired.
D. 
Upon revocation of any license, no part of the fee paid may be refunded.
E. 
No person may secure any business license who has had a license issued under this chapter revoked within the preceding six months.
(Prior code § 5.392; Ord. 5006-B (part), 1999)
A. 
Any person aggrieved by a decision of the tax collector, or other approving authority, with respect to the issuance of, refusal to issue or revocation of a license may appeal to the board of supervisors by filing a notice of appeal with the clerk of the board of supervisors within 15 days of receipt in writing of rejection of application or renewal or notice of intent to revoke license. Such appeal shall be in writing and shall set forth fully the grounds for the appeal. The board shall thereupon fix a time and place for a public hearing of such appeal. The clerk of the board shall give notice to the appellant of the time and place of hearing by serving it personally or by depositing it in the U.S. Post Office, postage prepaid, addressed to the appellant at his last known address at least five days prior thereto.
B. 
The appellant may appear in person or by counsel and present any relevant evidence relating to grounds for refusal or revocation of the license or the lack of such grounds, the tax collector or other approving authority may present evidence in rebuttal thereof. The hearing may be continued from time to time, not to exceed 30 days in all. The board of supervisors shall find and determine from the evidence submitted whether one or more of the grounds specified in Section 5.08.200 or Section 5.08.210 for the refusal or revocation of the license existed, direct the issuance or reinstatement of the license if the finding is that no such grounds existed, or affirm the refusal or revocation if the board's finding is that the grounds do exist. The decision of the board of supervisors shall be final.
(Prior code § 5.395; Ord. 5006-B (part), 1999)