Legal Question in Business Law in California

City business license

I'm a sculptor in L. A. with a Los Angeles business license. A firm in Indio needed my services to finish sculpting a water fall they were building at their facility for a golf tournament in 05. I sculpted the falls in about 2 weeks and they finished it. Instead of going on payroll I billed them for my time. Now 3 years later I get a bill from some company the city of Indio has hired to find all the people who may have worked in the city of Indio without getting a separate Indio city license. I had no idea that my LA license, since I'm based here, wouldn't cover me fully in other cities while doing a job on location. On top of charging me for an 05 Indio city biz license they are charging me a penalty of almost the same amount. How could I've known about that type of Indio city ordinance - can they do this legally and what happens if I just ignore them? What action can they take besides sending me bill after bill? PS - I've never worked there since and never ever plan to again.


Asked on 7/05/08, 8:34 pm

2 Answers from Attorneys
Michael Stone Law Offices of Michael B. Stone Toll Free 1-855-USE-MIKE

Re: City business license

This private company that is sending you the dunnning letters, where are they located? Could you email or fax me the letter you received?

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Answered on 7/07/08, 6:16 am
Jonas Grant Law Office of Jonas M. Grant, A.P.C.

Re: City business license

Can't comment on Indio in particular, but in general, it's your responsiblity to know or investigate such things. For example, anyone doing business seven or more days of a year in Los Angeles needs an L.A. business license. Those from Indio working here on a temporary or one-project basis may not know this, but it is their responsibility to think, 'Hmmm... I might need a business license if I'm working somewhere even for half a day. I better check it out, or have my attorney do so, before doing any business there. Otherwise, I may end up later facing non-compliance fees, penalties, interest, etc.'

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Answered on 7/07/08, 11:13 pm


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