Business License

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Business

Business License

All businesses operating in or providing services to Monrovia require a business license. In Community Development, we have dedicated staff ready to help you obtain a business license, so you can get your business up and running as seamlessly as possible!

Simply complete our Business License Application, then return the completed application to City Hall. If you need assistance with completing the application, or simply need additional information about the business license process, don't hesitate to call our Business License staff at (626) 932-5582.

Starting a New Business in Monrovia

Welcome to the City of Monrovia! Monrovia is a premier place to conduct your business, and it is our goal to make obtaining a business license a streamlined process. This information is intended to provide basic information that you will need to begin a successful business in our community.

Once you have in mind a proposed location and the type of business that you would like to operate, contact the Planning Division - planning@monroviaca.gov to inquire about the zoning regulations for your business. The Planning Division will review the proposed use and location to verify zoning compatibility. In certain cases additional review may be required. Any new business signs or temporary signs need to also be approved by the Planning Division.

Additionally, if you are planning alterations, modifications or additions to the building (interior or exterior) and/or changing the occupancy type, you may need Building, Fire and Planning Division review/approvals and to obtain applicable permits prior to occupying the building.

Apply For A License

Business License Applications

Email license@monroviaca.gov or call at (626) 932-5582 for more information, or come to City Hall at 415 S Ivy Ave, Monrovia, CA 91016. The following applications are for all businesses operating within the City of Monrovia.

In Town Business License
Out of Town Business License
Home Occupation Supplemental Form
Cottage Food Supplemental Form
Residential Rental Property (Two or more Units)
Hotels/Motels
Delivery Trucks

Fee Schedules

*Be sure to setup a trash account with Athens by calling (888) 336-6100.

Home Occupation

Home Occupations

The City encourages the establishment of Home Occupations that are compatible with the residential character of the neighborhood. A home occupation may serve as an incubator to allow businesses to start up. However, a Home Occupation shall be incidental to the use of the site for residential purposes. A supplemental application is required for a Home Occupation business license. Please contact Business licensing at (626) 932-5582 for additional information.

Home Occupation Application

Cottage Food License

Cottage Food Operations
Most info can be found at: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CEH/DFDCS/Pages/FDBPrograms/FoodSafetyProgram/CottageFoodOperations.aspx

What are Cottage Foods/Cottage Food Operators?

The California Homemade Food Act (AB 1616), was signed into law by Governor Brown and became effective on January 1, 2013. This new law allowed certain non-potentially hazardous foods, known as Cottage Foods, to be made in private homes and sold to the public. Individuals who own and run these home-based businesses are known as Cottage Food Operators (CFOs).

What are Cottage Food Operators allowed to do from home?

The home’s kitchen can be used for the preparation, packaging, storage, or handling of cottage food products, as well as the ingredients and equipment used to make these products. Attached rooms within the home are to be used only for storage.

CFO businesses are allowed to prepare only non-potentially hazardous foods in the home. “Non-potentially hazardous” foods are foods that do not require refrigeration to keep them safe from bacterial growth that could make people sick. A list of approved non-potentially hazardous foods are provided by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH).

CFOs are allowed to sell the food prepared to the public, either directly or indirectly. How the food is sold determines the class of CFO and the application processes needed.

A "Class A" CFO can only sell cottage foods directly to the consumer and is required to submit a "self-certification compliance checklist" to the LA County Department of Public Health. Direct sales can be made:

From the home
At holiday bazaars or temporary events, bake sales or food swaps *
At farm stands and Certified Farmers’ Markets *
Through community-supported agriculture subscription *

*Direct sales may require additional permits.

A "Class B" CFO can sell cottage foods directly to the consumer, as with Class A and may also sell indirectly to consumers within Los Angeles County. A "Class B" CFO is required to register and obtain a permit from the LA County Department of Public Health.

A permit is issued only after LA County’s inspection has verified that the home kitchen meets requirements. In addition to direct sales, indirect sales can be made to:

Permitted restaurant
Permitted grocery/ food market retail
Permitted mobile food facility (i.e. food trucks)

Persons involved with preparing or packaging cottage food products must complete a Food Processor Course within three months of obtaining a registration or permit. For the latest information and links to classes, check the CDPH Cottage Food Operations website. Classes are available in different languages.

If you are interested in operating as a CFO in Monrovia, reach out to license@monroviaca.gov after you have started the Class A or Class B process with the LA County Department of Public Health to obtain your City License.

TOBO Permits

Due to the State and Health Department imposed emergency orders to help slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus, many Monrovia businesses have been negatively impacted. In order to provide businesses with additional options to operate under the emergency orders and help alleviate this impact, the city is now issuing No Fee Temporary Outdoor Business Operations (TOBO) permits.

Types of Temporary Outdoor Business Operation (TOBO) Permits

Private property – on walkways and/or parking areas directly adjacent to the business.
Public sidewalk – On City sidewalks adjacent to the business.
Street parking dining (Old Town only) – This option is only available to restaurants in Old Town. Requires coordination with the Public Works Department to install temporary barricades (limited supply).
Sidewalk/walkway merchandising (nonfood businesses) – Permits the placement of merchandise outdoors on sidewalks or walkways for display or sale.

Helpful Information and Resources Regarding Temporary Outdoor Business Operations:

Click Here for detailed information on the City of Monrovia Temporary Outdoor Business Operation Guidelines.
Click Here for LA County Department of Public Health Protocols for Restaurants, Breweries and Wineries: Appendix I.
Click Here for LA County Department of Public Health for reopening of hair salons and barbershops.
Click Here for LA County Department of Public Health for reopening of personal care businesses.
Click Here to be taken to the LA County Department of Public Health website for any additional information.
Click Here for Southern California Edison Outdoor Business Operations During the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Click Here for the City of Monrovia Temporary Outdoor Operations (TOBO) Permit Flyer.
Click Here for the City of Monrovia Friday and Saturday Night Street Closure Program Flyer.

Temporary Outdoor Business Operations (TOBO) Submittals

Once all required applications, site plan, insurance and approvals have been submitted, everything will be reviewed by Staff for approval. For additional information on the TOBO Permit Process contact Krystina Livraga, Commercial Code Enforcement Officer at (626) 932-5533 or klivraga@ci.monrovia.ca.us

Required for ALL Temporary Outdoor Business Operations Requests
Click Herefor the TOBO Permit Application

Public Property- public sidewalk, street and/or parking lots	Private Property -shopping centers, private parking lots
Site plan of proposed outdoor operation location. Must be to scale and indicate table/chair placement and distance for walkways to maintain 48 inch minimum ADA clearance.	Site plan of proposed outdoor operation location. Must be to scale and indicate table/chair placement and distance for walkways to maintain 48 inch minimum ADA clearance.
Click Herefor TOBO encroachment permit.	Letter or email from private property owner with consent of outdoor use of property.
Certificate of Insurance and Additional Endorsement listing the City of Monrovia as an ‘additional insured’	Letter or email from business owner with consent to encroach the adjacent business(es) frontage.
Letter or email from business owner with consent to encroach the adjacent business(es) frontage.

Sidewalk Vendors

Sidewalk Vendor Regulations

Pursuant to SB 946, City Council adopted Ordinance 2018-12, which became effective on February 14, 2019. This ordinance established regulations for Sidewalk Vending in the City of Monrovia. Below you will find out more about the new Sidewalk Vendor regulations, as well as the application in both English and Spanish.

Sidewalk Vendor -A person who sells food or merchandise from a vending cart or from one’s person, upon a public sidewalk, parkway, pedestrian path or other public right of way. A vendor can be stationary selling from a fixed location or roaming moving place to place stopping only to complete a transaction.

Supporting Documents & Links

Business License Renewal

Thank you for renewing your business license with the City of Monrovia! Business licenses for in-town businesses are valid for 12 months from the month of issuance. We offer business licenses to out-of-town businesses on a 1-month, 3-month, and 1-year basis. Renewal notices are mailed out about 4-6 weeks prior to the expiration date. If you have not received the renewal notice prior to your expiration date, please contact the Business License Division at (626) 932-5582 or at license@monroviaca.gov

Active Business License List

The following is a list of the current business licenses on file within the City of Monrovia, updated monthly:

August 2025

*Home Occupation Licenses are omitted for confidentiality.

The information contained with this listing constitutes public information available to the incorporated City of Monrovia. It is not intended to constitute a certification of the accuracy of such information nor an endorsement of the businesses and the products or services offered. This listing does not constitute a representation that the businesses listed herein are permitted, in good standing, hold a valid or current business license, or that such businesses are operating in compliance with applicable federal, state, or municipal laws, ordinances, or regulations. The use of the information contained herein is at your own risk.