Photography Business Permit Requirements in Los Angeles, CA

1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

   Free from the IRS — apply online and receive your EIN immediately upon approval; the IRS never charges for an EIN (avoid third-party sites that do). Federally required if you hire employees or operate as a corporation or partnership (including a multi-member LLC); a single-member LLC with no employees and no excise-tax liability may use the owner's SSN instead, though most banks ask for an EIN to open a business bank account.

   Official government source

   Free·Immediate (online application)

   Free

   Immediate (online application)

2. FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate (Drone Photography)

   Required for commercial aerial photography using drones. Los Angeles has extensive Class B airspace (LAX), requiring LAANC authorization or FAA waivers for most drone operations near the city. Photographers must pass the FAA Aeronautical Knowledge Test. Certificate renewed every 24 months via online recurrent training.

   Official government source

   $175 (exam fee)·2–4 weeks

   $175 (exam fee)

   2–4 weeks

1. California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA) — Seller's Permit

   Photographers selling tangible items (prints, albums, media) need a free CDTFA seller's permit. Important: when tangible photos are delivered, California generally taxes the entire related charge (including session/labor fees), not just the print cost. Exclusively electronic delivery with no tangible property transferred is generally not taxable. See CDTFA's photography industry guide.

   Official government source

   Free (security deposit may be required)·Immediate (online registration)

   Free (security deposit may be required)

   Immediate (online registration)

2. California Secretary of State — Business Entity Registration

   If operating as an LLC or corporation, register your photography business entity with the California Secretary of State. LLCs pay a $70 filing fee for Articles of Organization. All California LLCs are also subject to the annual minimum $800 franchise tax payable to the California Franchise Tax Board.

   Official government source

   $70 (LLC Articles of Organization) + $800/year minimum franchise tax·3–5 business days (online) or 2–3 weeks (by mail)

   $70 (LLC Articles of Organization) + $800/year minimum franchise tax

   3–5 business days (online) or 2–3 weeks (by mail)

1. City of Los Angeles Business Tax Registration Certificate (BTRC)

   All businesses operating within Los Angeles city limits — including freelance and home-based photographers — must register with the Office of Finance for a Business Tax Registration Certificate (BTRC). Registration is free. The first year is not tax-exempt (first-year tax is paid as 'back tax' at the first renewal). Businesses with worldwide gross receipts of $100,000 or less owe $0 tax under the Small Business Exemption if the annual renewal is filed on time.

   Official government source

   $0 to register; $0 annual tax if worldwide gross receipts are $100,000 or less and renewal is filed on time; otherwise gross-receipts-based (Professions & Occupations: $4.25 per $1,000)·Immediate (online registration); permanent certificate mailed in 4–6 weeks

   $0 to register; $0 annual tax if worldwide gross receipts are $100,000 or less and renewal is filed on time; otherwise gross-receipts-based (Professions & Occupations: $4.25 per $1,000)

   Immediate (online registration); permanent certificate mailed in 4–6 weeks

2. FilmLA Commercial Photography Permit (for shoots on public property)

   Commercial still photography on public property in the City of Los Angeles — streets, sidewalks, parks, public buildings — requires a FilmLA permit. Still photo shoots with fewer than 16 cast/crew pay FilmLA's still photo application fee of $104 (plus a $31 still photo rider where applicable); productions with 16 or more people, or any motion/B-roll filming, pay the motion application rate of $931. Liability insurance is required, and location-specific use fees may apply.

   Official government source

   $104 still photo application fee (under 16 cast/crew) + $31 still photo rider; $931 motion application rate applies at 16+ people or if motion footage is shot (FilmLA fee list updated Nov 2025)·3–10 business days

   $104 still photo application fee (under 16 cast/crew) + $31 still photo rider; $931 motion application rate applies at 16+ people or if motion footage is shot (FilmLA fee list updated Nov 2025)

   3–10 business days

3. Los Angeles County Fictitious Business Name (DBA) Statement

   If your photography business operates under any name other than your own legal name (e.g., 'LA Lens Studio'), you must file a Fictitious Business Name statement with the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder. The statement must also be published in a newspaper of general circulation once a week for four consecutive weeks within 30 days of filing.

   Official government source

   $26 filing fee for first business name; $5 per additional name; publication costs vary ($50–$150)·Filing: same day; publication: 4 weeks

   $26 filing fee for first business name; $5 per additional name; publication costs vary ($50–$150)

   Filing: same day; publication: 4 weeks

Official Sources

• City of Los Angeles Office of Finance — Business Registration Process
• FilmLA — Get a Film Permit
• CDTFA — Tax Guide for Photography
• LA County Registrar-Recorder — Fictitious Business Name
• FAA — Become a Drone Pilot (Part 107)

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