CC SR 20251202 D - Business License Tax
CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: 12/02/2025
AGENDA REPORT AGENDA HEADING: Consent Calendar
AGENDA TITLE:
Consider the annual Business License Tax (BLT) for calendar year 2026.
RECOMMENDED COUNCIL ACTION:
1) Affirm discontinuing the BLT rate of zero ($0) for home occupancy businesses;
2) Affirm discontinuing the Small Business Financial Assistance Program; and
3) Apply an increase of 3.0%, based on the annual Consumer Price Index (CPI) as
of September 2025, to the BLT rates.
FISCAL IMPACT: If approved, the recommended action items are estimated to
generate an additional $165,000 in General Fund revenue for a
calendar year. This includes an estimated $64,000 from reinstating
Home Occupancy BLT, approximately $74,000 from ending the
Small Business Financial Assistance Program , and about $27,000
from applying the 3.0% CPI-U increase for 2026. VR
Amount Budgeted: $966,000 (Revenue)
Additional Appropriation: $82,500
(6 months Revenues in Fiscal Year (FY) 2025-26
from January 2026 to June 2026)
Account Number(s): 101-300-0000-3210
(General Fund – Revenues – Business License Taxes) VR
ORIGINATED BY: James O'Neill, Senior Administrative Analyst JO
Rudy Carbajal, Administrative Assistant RC
REVIEWED BY: Vina Ramos, Director of Finance VR
APPROVED BY: Ara Mihranian, AICP, City Manager
ATTACHED SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS:
A. Attachment A – Proposed 2026 BLT Rate Schedule (Page A-1)
BACKGROUND:
The City has traditionally maintained one of the most business-friendly Business License
Tax structures in the region, holding flat rates since 2017 and providing temporary relief
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programs to the home-based businesses and small businesses in response to the
economic challenges arising from the COVID-19 pandemic. Since 2019, supported by the
City’s strong financial position and consistent year-end revenues exceeding
expenditures, the City Council continued to provide these programs.
As presented during the FY 2025-26 Budget Workshop, the City’s General Fund and the
Capital Infrastructure Program (CIP) Fund balances have declined significantly since
October 2022 to support approximately $64.4 million (October 2022 to June 2026) in
emergency and stabilization efforts in the Portuguese Bend Landslide Complex. As such,
the City is no longer in the same financial position it experienced in prior years. In
response, during the FY 2025-26 Budget Workshop, the City Council identified Fiscal
Sustainability as one of the City Council Goals for FY 2025-26, to review the City’s current
sources and uses, and assess the City’s long-term financial outlook. On April 17, 2025,
during the budget workshop, the City Council discussed potential revenue sources,
including the reinstatement of revenues that were previously suspended. Subsequently,
a Fiscal Sustainability Subcommittee was established, comprised of Mayor Bradley and
Councilmember Lewis.
Since FY 2025-26 Budget Workshops, the City Council has taken on Fiscal Sustainability
by securing approximately $6 million in grants from Los Angeles County Flood Control
District and Sanitation District and reinstating approximately $468,000 through CPI
adjustments to City’s fees and reinstating the lighting district assessments. The City
Departments have also identified approximately $800,000 in cost-containment strategies
to reduce expenditures in the FY 2025-26 Adopted Budget. These measures will help
support the City’s desire to recover from major expenditures and help fund capital
projects.
Business License Tax Overview
Chapter 5.04 of the Rancho Palos Verdes Municipal Code (RPVMC) intent is to provide
the City with a mechanism to collect business license taxes from businesses that have a
physical presence within the City, or that enter the City to conduct business at any point.
It further provides that the BLT contributes to the General Fund and help offset the cost
of providing City services, such as public roads and other public infrastructure and utilities.
Accordingly, any business that provides services (including construction), supplies, or
equipment to any individual or to any entity within the City, and which has any physical
presence within the City, however fleeting, shall obtain a business license. The BLT was
enacted solely to raise revenue for municipal purposes and is not regulatory in nature.
The annual taxable amount is determined based on the location and type of work or
service performed by the business.
There are approximately 17 business license categories that collectively generate
approximately $966,000 or 2% of the $41.8 million General Fund revenues annually.
Annual Renewal
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In accordance with Section 5.04.440 of the RPVMC, changes to the BLT may occur on
January 1 of each year. In August 2019, the City Council adopted and approved
Ordinance No. 623, which amended Chapter 5.04 of the RPVMC, discontinuing the
practice of applying automatic annual increases, and directing that the City Council
consider annual adjustments based on Consumer Price Index-U (CPI-U). Since then, the
City Council voted not to increase the BLT rates for 2020, and each year since.
In-City Home Occupancy Businesses
On June 4, 2019, the City Council approved reducing the BLT for In-City Home
Occupancy Businesses to zero dollars ($0). This rate has been approved annually since
then for subsequent years to date. The intent of this action was to support residents who
operate small, home-based businesses by removing the tax burden entirely. Since
implementation, the program has provided consistent financial relief to hundreds of home -
based businesses each year and has been one of the City’s most significant business-
friendly initiatives. If reinstated, this category would again become a revenue -generating
component of the BLT structure, consistent with its original purpose in the Municipal
Code.
Small Business Financial Assistance Program
On April 7, 2020, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 2020-15, establishing a Small
Business Financial Assistance Program (SBFAP) that provided, among other things, a
one-time business tax refund for certain defined businesses affected by the COVID -19
pandemic. The program was created as an emergency economic relief measure to help
stabilize local small businesses during the unprecedented shutdowns and financial
disruptions caused by COVID-19.
On June 2, 2020, the City received a status report on the SBPAC, and as a result of the
low response, increased the number of eligible small businesses by striking out “brick -
and-mortar” from the definition so that “small business” was defined as any business
located within the geographic boundaries of the City that generates less than $1.5 million
in 2019 gross receipts. This adjustment broadened eligibility and ensured that home -
based businesses, service-based operators, and other non-storefront businesses were
able to participate. Since then, the program has provided ongoing financial relief to
qualifying businesses and has been renewed annually as a temporary support
mechanism during the economic recovery period. From 2021 through 2024, the City
Council continued the program to support economic stability as businesses recovered
from pandemic-related impacts, ultimately providing an estimated $279,000 in cumulative
BLT relief to more than 200 small businesses.
Consistent with the City Council’s Fiscal Sustainability Goal of reviewing all citywide
revenue sources, Staff is recommending for the City Council’s consideration the following
adjustments after nine (9) years to BLT rates for calendar year 2026 (estimated increase
of $165,000 in one calendar year):
• Discontinue the zero-dollar ($0) BLT rate for Home Occupancy Businesses.
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o For illustrative purposes, the average BLT rate paid in this category is $7 8,
based on $50,000 of gross revenue, with $1 per each $1,000 in additional
gross revenue, or portion thereof.
o Estimated to bring in $64,000.
• Discontinue the Small Business Financial Assistance Program.
o For illustrative purposes, the BLT rate this category is also $78 for the first
$50,000 in gross revenue and $1 per each $1,000 in additional gross
revenue, or portion thereof.
o Estimated to bring in $74,000.
• Apply a 3.0% increase to all BLT rates based on the September 2025 Consumer
Price Index (CPI-U), consistent with RPVMC Section 5.04.440.
o For illustrative purposes, an increase of $2 (from $76 to $78) for an in -city
business, $12 (from $387 to $399) for general contractors.
o Estimated to bring in $27,000.
DISCUSSION:
The following provides information for the City Council’s consideration on BLT-related
revenues and programs based on Staff’s recommendations.
BLT Revenue in 2025
The $966,000 in BLT revenue budgeted in FY 2025-26 represents approximately 2% of
General Fund revenues. Chart 1 below illustrates total revenue to date for Calendar Year
2025, based on the major application types.
Chart 1. 2025 BLT Revenues by Application Type
Businesses Within
the City
$467,521
52%
Contractors &
Subcontractors
$309,009
34%
Businesses Outside the City
$66,871
7%
Residential Rentals & Other
Businesses
$50,019
6%
Vehicle Based
Businesses
$9,134
1%
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The City has issued 2,018 business licenses for 2025, a decrease of 92 over last calendar
year. This amounts to over $910,000 in BLT revenue, which is a slight decrease of over
$21,000, or 2.3%, from the $932,000 collected in the same period in 2024.
The slight revenue decline is primarily attributed to fewer licenses in several categories:
• In-City businesses - 57 fewer licenses, resulting in approximately $5,550 in less
revenue;
• Outside-City businesses: 17 fewer outside City licenses, resulting in approximately
$6,200 less revenue;
• Commercial/Delivery services: five fewer licenses with one business accounting
for a net loss of over $11,000 from 2024 to 2025.
The in-city businesses category continues to represent the largest contributor of BLT
revenue, in the amount of $460,210, or 50.2% of the BLT. Approximately 40% of this
amount comes from the Terranea Resort, with the remainder generated primarily by
grocery stores.
The second largest is the contractor-related activity at 34% or $311,52. Although there
were 18 more contractor licenses issued in 2025, there were 36 fewer subcontractors
licenses compared to 2024. The combined effect of these changes resulted in a net
increase of approximately $2,000 in revenue. For reference, 1,179 contractor and
subcontractor licenses were issued in 2024.
Business License Tax for In-City Home Occupancy Businesses for 2026
Setting the BLT rate for Home Occupancy Businesses to zero dollars ($0) in 2019, and
maintaining that rate each year since, has financially supported more than 407
businesses with an estimated value of $350,000 since implementation. As the City faces
sudden drop in fund balances, reinstating the standard rate would return this category to
its intended role as a General Fund revenue source under Chapter 5.04 of the RPVMC.
If the City Council elects to reinstate the prior BLT rate, In -City Home Occupancy
Businesses with gross receipts less than $1.5 million, would pay $76 for the first $50,000
gross receipts and $1 for each $1,000 thereafter, or portion thereof. Staff estimates that
annual BLT revenue would increase by approximately $64,000 for Calendar Year 2026,
based on this change.
Small Business Financial Assistance Program (SBFAP)
In 2024, the City Council extended the SBFAP for the fifth consecutive year to support
local businesses and the economy. Effective in 2021, this action reduced the business
license tax to zero ($0) for small businesses within the City that generate less than $1.5
million in annual gross receipts. As a result, this program has provided financial relief to
200 small businesses with an estimated total benefit of $353,000 since implementation.
As the City faces rising landslide-related expenditures and overall increases in
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operational costs, discontinuing this temporary waiver would return this category to its
intended role as a General Fund revenue source under Chapter 5.04 of the RPVMC.
The program’s objective was to provide temporary relief to small businesses during the
pandemic-related shutdowns and period of economic recovery. Based on the results to
date, this program has successfully achieved its intended objective by supporting local
businesses during the most significant periods of economic disruption . If reinstated, the
City would generate roughly $74,000 in additional revenue for Calendar Year 2026 .
Increase of BLT Rates in 2026 by September 2025 CPI-U
As previously stated, pursuant to Chapter 5.04.440 of the RPVMC, the City Council may
consider adjusting the BLT rate as part of their annual review provided that it does not
exceed the applicable CPI-U. If applying the CPI-U rate of 3.0% for September 2025, tax
revenues are estimated to increase by up to $27,000. This adjustment would restore the
annual inflationary update originally intended under Chapter 5.04 while aligning BLT
revenues with the City’s rising operational and landslide-related expenditures.
The annual rate of change has been set to zero ($0) since 2017. Cumulatively, since
2017, the estimated total revenue forgone has been approximately $209,000. This was
previously approved by the City Council due to the City consistently maintaining year-end
results where revenues exceed expenditures. However, given current and projected fund
balances, including significant landslide response costs, continuing to forego inflationary
adjustments is no longer fiscally sustainable.
Combined with the reinstatement of the previous rate for In -City Home Occupancy
Businesses, businesses with gross receipts under $1.5 million would pay $78 for the first
$50,000 in gross receipts after applying the CPI-U increase.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Financial Sustainability Committee
On November 7, 2025, Staff provided an overview of the key proposed changes to the
Finance Sustainability Committee, comprised of Mayor Bradley and Councilmember
Lewis. After considering information presented combined with rising landslide-related
expenditures and overall increases in operational costs, they directed staff to present the
recommended actions discussed above for the entire City Council’s consideration .
Assembly Bill (AB) 2164
As amended, AB 2164 relating to disability access requires that a four-dollar ($4) state
fee be imposed on any applicant for a local business license or a renewal . The purpose
of the fee is to increase disability access and compliance with construction -related
accessibility requirements. The City shall continue to administer the fees collected in
accordance with Section 4467 of the Government Code and remit them as required by
State law. This fee is mandatory statewide and remains separate from the City’s BLT
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structure, with all collected amounts designated solely for State-administered accessibility
programs. The amounts collected are recorded in a deposit account code within the
General Fund, from which the quarterly payments are disbursed.
CONCLUSION:
In summary, Staff recommends that the City Council discontinue the Small Business
Financial Assistance Program and the In-City Home Occupancy Business subsidy, both
of which were created as temporary relief measures and have now fulfilled their intended
purpose. Reinstating the standard BLT rates for these categories, along with applying the
3.0% CPI-U increase for 2026, will restore the BLT structure to its original design under
Chapter 5.04 of the RPVMC and ensure that all business classifications contrib ute
proportionately to the General Fund.
These proposed reinstatement of BLT responds directly to the City’s evolving fiscal
landscape, including rising operational costs and substantial landslide -related
expenditures. Continuing to subsidize and forgo the potential revenues that could be
raised may not be prudent at this time. Collectively, the recommended actions are
expected to increase BLT revenues, strengthen the long-term stability of this revenue
source, and align the City’s practices with the intent of the Municipal Code.
Staff recommend approval of the proposed adjustments to support continued delivery of
high-quality public services while maintaining all business classifications contribute
proportionately to the General Fund.
ALTERNATIVES:
In addition to the Staff recommendation, the following alternative action s are available for
the City Council’s consideration:
1. Direct Staff to extend the BLT rate of zero dollars ($0) for In-City Home Occupancy
Businesses to Calendar Year 2026. This option would continue the existing
subsidy and maintain the current tax relief for home-based businesses.
2. Direct Staff to extend the Small Business Financial Assistance Program for
businesses within the City that generate less than $1.5 million in annual gross
receipts, maintaining a BLT rate of zero dollars ($0) for Calendar Year 2026. This
option would continue the temporary post-pandemic relief measure for qualifying
small businesses.
3. Direct Staff to set the annual rate of change for 2026 to zero percent (0%). This
option would forgo applying the 3.0% CPI-U adjustment and keep the City’s BLT
rates at their current levels.
4. Take other action, as deemed appropriate, including any combination of the above
alternatives.
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Historical and Proposed Business License Tax Rates
BUSINESS TYPE 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
Proposed
2026 Classification
CPI/GNP % Change 2.20% 0.00% 0.00%0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 3.00%
LOCATED IN CITY 76.00 76.00 76.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 78.00 A,B,C,D
price per $1,000 after $50,000 1.00 1.00 1.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 1.00 A,B,C,D
(Prorated quarterly if new business)
OUTSIDE BUSINESS 152.00 152.00 152.00 152.00 152.00 152.00 152.00 152.00 152.00 157.00 K1
price per $1,000 after $50,000 2.00 2.00 2.00 2.00 2.00 2.00 2.00 2.00 2.00 2.00 K1
(Prorated quarterly if new business)
ITINERANT VENDORS 574.00 574.00 574.00 574.00 574.00 574.00 574.00 574.00 574.00 591.00 K2
price per each in excess of one 190.00 190.00 190.00 190.00 190.00 190.00 190.00 190.00 190.00 196.00 K2
GENERAL CONTRACTOR 384.00 384.00 384.00 384.00 384.00 384.00 384.00 384.00 384.00 396.00 F
SUB CONTRACTOR 190.00 190.00 190.00 190.00 190.00 190.00 190.00 190.00 190.00 196.00 F
COMMERCIAL VEHICLES
(delivery and other)76.00 76.00 76.00 76.00 76.00 76.00 76.00 76.00 76.00 78.00 I
Taxi's for first two 270.00 270.00 270.00 270.00 270.00 270.00 270.00 270.00 270.00 278.00 I
price per additional taxi 135.00 135.00 135.00 135.00 135.00 135.00 135.00 135.00 135.00 139.00 I
Refuse, Rubbish or Garbage 574.00 574.00 574.00 574.00 574.00 574.00 574.00 574.00 574.00 591.00 I
RESIDENTIAL RENTALS 114.00 114.00 114.00 114.00 114.00 114.00 114.00 114.00 114.00 117.00 E
price per unit after three 40.00 40.00 40.00 40.00 40.00 40.00 40.00 40.00 40.00 41.00 E
Minimum Tax (> 10 units)387.00 387.00 387.00 387.00 387.00 387.00 387.00 387.00 387.00 399.00 E
price per $1,000 after $50,000 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 E
(Prorated quarterly if new business)
BUILDERS/DEVELOPERS
Residential:
minimum tax per year 76.00 76.00 76.00 76.00 76.00 76.00 76.00 76.00 76.00 78.00 G
price per bedroom 1,917.00 1,917.00 1,917.00 1,917.00 1,917.00 1,917.00 1,917.00 1,917.00 1,917.00 1,975.00 G
not to exceed per unit 3,834.00 3,834.00 3,834.00 3,834.00 3,834.00 3,834.00 3,834.00 3,834.00 3,834.00 3,949.00 G
Commercial
minimum tax per year 76.00 76.00 76.00 76.00 76.00 76.00 76.00 76.00 76.00 78.00 H
price per square foot 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 H
BUS STOP BENCH ADV
minimum tax per year 98.00 98.00 98.00 98.00 98.00 98.00 98.00 98.00 98.00 101.00 J
price per bench after 5 18.00 18.00 18.00 18.00 18.00 18.00 18.00 18.00 18.00 19.00 J
A-1