Photography Business Permit Requirements in San Diego, 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. San Diego has Class B airspace around SAN airport; most drone operations near downtown or Mission Bay require LAANC authorization. Pass the FAA Aeronautical Knowledge Test to obtain the certificate, renewed every 24 months.

   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 with the California Secretary of State. LLCs pay a $70 filing fee and are subject to California's annual minimum $800 franchise tax (payable to the Franchise Tax Board). Sole proprietors operating under their own legal name do not need state entity registration.

   Official government source

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

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

   3–5 business days (online)

1. City of San Diego Business Tax Certificate

   All businesses operating in the City of San Diego must obtain a Business Tax Certificate from the Office of the City Treasurer. It is a tax registration, not a regulatory license. The fee is based on employee count only: $34/year for businesses with 12 or fewer employees, or $125/year plus $5 per employee for 13 or more employees. Every application and renewal adds a $4 state-mandated SB-1186 fee, and beginning July 1, 2025 an annual Minimum Wage Enforcement Fee of $1.47 per employee also applies. Renewed annually.

   Official government source

   $38/year for most small businesses ($34 business tax + $4 SB-1186 fee; 12 or fewer employees); $129/year + $5 and $1.47 per employee for 13+ employees·1–2 weeks

   $38/year for most small businesses ($34 business tax + $4 SB-1186 fee; 12 or fewer employees); $129/year + $5 and $1.47 per employee for 13+ employees

   1–2 weeks

2. San Diego County Fictitious Business Name (FBN) Statement

   If your photography business operates under a trade name other than your legal name, file a Fictitious Business Name statement with the San Diego County Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk. California law also requires the FBN to be published in a newspaper of general circulation in San Diego County once a week for four consecutive weeks within 30 days of filing.

   Official government source

   $54 for first name + $5 per additional name; newspaper publication $50–$100·Filing: same day or 1 week (mail); publication: 4 weeks

   $54 for first name + $5 per additional name; newspaper publication $50–$100

   Filing: same day or 1 week (mail); publication: 4 weeks

3. City of San Diego Film/Photography Permit (public property shoots)

   Commercial photography and filming on City of San Diego public property - parks, beaches, Mission Bay, and other city spaces - go through the city's Special Events & Filming office, which offers a no-cost authorization process (standard requests at least three business days in advance). Whether a small still-photography shoot needs authorization depends on its footprint (crew, equipment, exclusive use of space) - confirm with the film office at 619-685-1340 or [email protected] before shooting.

   Official government source

   Free - the city describes its filming/photography authorization process as no-cost; city service charges may apply for large productions·3–10 business days

   Free - the city describes its filming/photography authorization process as no-cost; city service charges may apply for large productions

   3–10 business days

Official Sources

• City of San Diego — Business Tax Rates and Fees
• City of San Diego — Apply for a Business Tax Certificate
• San Diego County ARCC — Fictitious Business Name
• CDTFA — Tax Guide for Photography
• City of San Diego — Filming/Photography Permits

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