City of Glendale, CA
Home MenuBusiness Registration Certificate (BRC)
Every business located in Glendale, including subleases, is required to apply for and maintain a valid Business Registration Certificate (BRC) regardless of any other licenses or certificates a business may have previously obtained. A BRC does not relieve owners, tenants, or applicants from their legal obligations to obtain any and all necessary permits and or comply with local, state, and federal regulations that may apply to their use and/or business. For example, a BRC does not authorize a change of use. Only a Certificate of Occupancy issued by the City’s Building Official can authorize a change of use.
Before Applying for a BRC
Certain business types cannot operate in certain zones. Find out whether a business type is allowed at an address by consulting the Glendale Zoning and Parcel Map A business or a proposed business must be located in a zone where it is allowed so that the City will issue the applicant a BRC.
Where & When to Apply for or Renew a BRC
A business should apply for or renew its BRC using the Glendale Permits online portal. BRCs must be renewed annually and must be posted in a visible location for all to see.
Any changes to a business’s activities, square footage, name, ownership, location/address, or other details, require the business to apply for a new BRC. A BRC is no longer valid once any information listed on a BRC is not current.
The BRC renewal period begins thirty (30) days prior to the existing BRC’s expiration date. Applicants will receive renewal reminders vis email thirty (30) days and fifteen (15) days before the expiration date. If renewal isn’t completed before the expiration date, the applicant will need to apply for a new BRC.
Using the online portal requires creating a Glendale Permits account, and filing requires one (1) of the follow documents:
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A copy of the lease agreement showing the property address, individual leasing the space, and signatures of both parties, OR
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The property grant deed, OR
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The secured annual property tax bill.
If subleasing, an applicant must provide a signed sublease agreement. If the property owner is not listed on the sublease agreement, the applicant must submit a letter stating that the owner is aware that a sublease is in effect.
Fees to Obtain a BRC
The BRC fee is $496.39. The annual renewal is $128.77. If applicant does not obtain their BRC within 180 days after they pay the initial application fee, their applicant will be considered withdrawn, and a new application and application fee will be required before the City issues a BRC.