Wedding Planner Permit Requirements in Los Angeles, CA

Complete permit and license guide for starting a wedding planner in Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California.

Verified 2026-08-27 6 stops $100–$600 est. 1–3 weeks to obtain all required licenses
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Not legal advice. Requirements may change — always verify with your local government authority before applying. Key agencies and fees on this page were re-checked against official government sources on .

Federal — start here

1 stop

  1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

    Required if you have employees, operate as an LLC/corporation, or file certain business tax returns. Free from the IRS. Sole proprietors with no employees may use their SSN instead.

    Official government source

    FreeImmediate (online)

State of California

3 stops

  1. California Seller's Permit

    Required for businesses selling or leasing tangible personal property in California. Issued free by the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA).

    Official government source

    FreeImmediate (online)

  2. California Seller's Permit (if selling goods)

    If your wedding planning business sells physical items (favors, decorations, etc.), you need a Seller's Permit from the CDTFA. Pure planning/coordination services are generally not subject to California sales tax.

    Official government source

    FreeImmediate (online)

  3. General Liability Insurance (Recommended)

    Wedding planners in California are not legally required to carry liability insurance, but most venues require proof of $1M–$2M general liability coverage before allowing a planner to work on-site. Many clients also require it in your contract.

    $400–$1,200/yearSame day (online quotes)

City of Los Angeles / Los Angeles County

2 stops

  1. Los Angeles Business Tax Registration Certificate (BTRC)

    All businesses operating in the City of Los Angeles must register with the Office of Finance for a Business Tax Registration Certificate (BTRC) — LA's equivalent of a business license. Registration is free; the obligation is an annual business tax based on gross receipts. 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. Note: the first year is not tax-exempt; first-year tax is paid as 'back tax' at the first renewal.

    Official government source

    $0 to register; annual tax gross-receipts-based ($0 if worldwide gross receipts are $100,000 or less and renewal is filed on time)1–3 weeks

  2. DBA (Doing Business As) Registration

    If operating under a trade name rather than your legal name, file a Fictitious Business Name (DBA) statement with the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk before doing business under that name. Within 30 days of filing, the statement must be published in an adjudicated newspaper of general circulation once a week for four consecutive weeks. The filing is valid for five years.

    Official government source

    $26 (one business name, one registrant) + $5 each additional name/registrant; plus newspaper publication costs1–2 weeks

Terminus

Open for business — est. $100–$600 · 1–3 weeks to obtain all required licenses

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Official Sources

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