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MUNICIPAL CODE
FOREWORD
CHAPTER I GENERAL PROVISIONS AND ZONING
CHAPTER 1A CITY OF LOS ANGELES ZONING CODE
CHAPTER II* LICENSES, PERMITS, BUSINESS REGULATIONS
ARTICLE 1 BUSINESS TAXES
SEC. 21.00. DEFINITIONS.
SEC. 21.01. UNLAWFUL BUSINESS NOT AUTHORIZED.
SEC. 21.02. CONSTITUTIONAL EXEMPTIONS.
SEC. 21.03. IMPOSITION OF TAX.
SEC. 21.03.1. AUTOMATIC TAX RATE REDUCTION.
SEC. 21.04. DUE DATES.
SEC. 21.05. DELINQUENT DATES - INTEREST - PENALTIES.
SEC. 21.06. SEPARATE REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE REQUIRED FOR EACH LOCATION AND EACH BUSINESS TAX CLASSIFICATION.
SEC. 21.06.1. SINGLE PRIMARY TAX CLASSIFICATION ELECTION.
SEC. 21.07. REFUNDS OF OVERPAYMENTS.
SEC. 21.08. BUSINESS TAX REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE - FORM.
SEC. 21.09. BUSINESS TAX REGISTRATION CERTIFICATES - POSTING AND KEEPING.
SEC. 21.10. BUSINESS TAX REGISTRATION CERTIFICATES - CHARGE FOR DUPLICATION.
SEC. 21.11. BUSINESS TAX REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE - TRANSFER.
SEC. 21.12. BUSINESS TAX REGISTRATION CERTIFICATES - SUSPENSION.
SEC. 21.13. NEWLY ESTABLISHED BUSINESSES - COMPUTATION OF BUSINESS TAX.
SEC. 21.14. WRITTEN STATEMENTS - WHEN REQUIRED - COMPUTATION OF THE TAX.
SEC. 21.15. DIRECTOR OF FINANCE - DUTY TO ENFORCE - POWERS - RULES AND REGULATIONS.
SEC. 21.16. ASSESSMENT - ADMINISTRATIVE REMEDY.
SEC. 21.16.1. VOLUNTARY DISCLOSURE.
SEC. 21.17. CONFIDENTIAL CHARACTER OF INFORMATION OBTAINED - DISCLOSURE UNLAWFUL.
SEC. 21.18. DELINQUENT TAXES - INSTALLMENT PAYMENT.
SEC. 21.19. DELINQUENT TAXES - SUIT FOR RECOVERY.
SEC. 21.20. DELINQUENT TAXES - DEBT NOT DISCHARGED BY PENAL CONVICTION.
SEC. 21.21. DELINQUENT TAXES - UNCOLLECTIBLE.
SEC. 21.22. RELIGIOUS, CHARITY, ETC.; PROCEDURE FOR ISSUANCE OF TAX EXEMPT REGISTRATION CERTIFICATES.
SEC. 21.23. EFFECT OF REPEALS AND AMENDMENTS.
SEC. 21.24. EXEMPTION FOR PERSONS HAVING EQUAL OR GREATER PAYROLL EXPENSE TAX LIABILITY.
SEC. 21.25. RELIEF FOR EARTHQUAKE INTERRUPTION.
SEC. 21.26. EMPOWERMENT ZONE - CITY BUSINESS TAX REDUCTIONS, LIMITATIONS, AND EXEMPTIONS.
SEC. 21.27. ENTERTAINMENT AND MULTIMEDIA BUSINESS TAX LIMITATIONS.
SEC. 21.28. FISCAL YEAR REPORTING.
SEC. 21.29. SMALL BUSINESS EXEMPTION.
SEC. 21.30. NEW BUSINESS EXEMPTION.
SEC. 21.31. SETTLEMENT BUREAU.
SEC. 21.32. REWARDS FOR INFORMATION.
SEC. 21.33. [TAX RATES.]
SEC. 21.41. GROSS RECEIPTS FUND CLASS 1.
SEC. 21.42. GROSS RECEIPTS FUND CLASS 2.
SEC. 21.43. GROSS RECEIPTS FUND CLASS 2.
SEC. 21.44. GROSS RECEIPTS FUND CLASS 4.
SEC. 21.45. GROSS RECEIPTS FUND CLASS 5.
SEC. 21.46. GROSS RECEIPTS FUND CLASS 6.
SEC. 21.47. GROSS RECEIPTS FUND CLASS 7.
SEC. 21.48. GROSS RECEIPTS FUND CLASS 8.
SEC. 21.49. GROSS RECEIPTS FUND CLASS 9.
SEC. 21.50. TAXATION OF MEDICAL MARIJUANA COLLECTIVES.
SEC. 21.51. TAXATION OF CANNABIS.
SEC. 21.52. TAXATION OF MEDICAL CANNABIS.
SEC. 21.53. AMUSEMENT PARK.
SEC. 21.55. AUCTIONEER.
SEC. 21.56. AUTO PARK
SEC. 21.59. BASEBALL, FOOTBALL, ETC.
SEC. 21.62. BILLIARDS, ETC.
SEC. 21.63. AMUSEMENT MACHINES.
SEC. 21.64. COIN-OPERATED PHONOGRAPHS AND MUSIC MACHINES.
SEC. 21.65. VENDING MACHINES.
SEC. 21.65.1. COIN-OPERATED SCALES AND SERVICE MACHINES.
SEC. 21.70. BOWLING ALLEY, SKEE-BALL SHUFFLEBOARD, ETC.
SEC. 21.74. CIRCUSES.
SEC. 21.75. SIDE SHOWS, CARNIVALS, CONCESSIONS.
SEC. 21.78. COLLECTION AGENCIES.
SEC. 21.79. COMMISSION BROKERS.
SEC. 21.80. INDEPENDENT TELEMARKETING AGENCY.
SEC. 21.83. DANCE HALL.
SEC. 21.85. PUBLIC DANCE.
SEC. 21.94. RIDES.
SEC. 21.98. OFFICE COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS, ETC., RENTALS.
SEC. 21.98.1. SWAP MEET OPERATOR.
SEC. 21.98.2. ANTIQUE SHOW AND COLLECTORS’ EXCHANGE SHOW PROMOTER.
SEC. 21.99. RENTING ACCOMMODATIONS.
SEC. 21.102. LAUNDRY, CLEANING AND DYEING AGENT, COLLECTOR, LINEN SUPPLY, SHOE REPAIR.
SEC. 21.108. MONEY LENDERS.
SEC. 21.109. MOTION PICTURE, TELEVISION AND RADIO PRODUCERS.
SEC. 21.124. OIL WELLS.
SEC. 21.141. WAREHOUSE - STORAGE OF GOODS.
SEC. 21.142. STEVEDORES.
SEC. 21.143. TUGBOAT AND BARGE OPERATORS.
SEC. 21.147. THEATRE.
SEC. 21.166. MERCHANDISE WHOLESALE SELLING.
SEC. 21.167. MERCHANDISE - RETAIL SELLING.
SEC. 21.167.1. SALES OF FIREARMS AND AMMUNITION.
SEC. 21.168.1. OUT OF STATE SALES.
SEC. 21.168.2. SALE FOR CONVENIENCE.
SEC. 21.168.3. CERTAIN SOLICITORS DEEMED EMPLOYEES.
SEC. 21.168.4. EXEMPTION - TEMPORARY EXHIBITORS AT TRADESHOWS.
SEC. 21.168.5. CERTIFIED PRODUCERS DEEMED EMPLOYEES.
SEC. 21.169. CHRISTMAS TREES.
SEC. 21.170. CHRISTMAS TREE LOT CLEAN-UP DEPOSITS.
SEC. 21.171. RETAILERS OF NEW PASSENGER MOTOR VEHICLES.
SEC. 21.187. COMMON CARRIER BUS.
SEC. 21.188. CONTRACTORS.
SEC. 21.189.1. MISCELLANEOUS SERVICES.
SEC. 21.189.2. RADIO AND TELEVISION BROADCASTER.
SEC. 21.189.3. CHILD CARE PROVIDERS.
SEC. 21.189.4. MULTIMEDIA BUSINESSES.
SEC. 21.190. PROFESSIONS AND OCCUPATIONS.
SEC. 21.190.1. EXEMPTION.
SEC. 21.191. HEALTH MAINTENANCE ORGANIZATIONS.
SEC. 21.192. PERSONAL PROPERTY RENTAL.
SEC. 21.192.1. RENTAL - OUT OF STATE PROPERTY.
SEC. 21.193. SALE OF REAL PROPERTY.
SEC. 21.194. TRANSPORTING PERSONS FOR HIRE.
SEC. 21.195. TRUCKING - HAULING
SEC. 21.196. MISCELLANEOUS TRUCKING.
SEC. 21.197. TELEPHONE COMPANIES.
SEC. 21.199. SALES TAX.
ARTICLE 1.1 TELEPHONE, ELECTRICITY AND GAS USERS TAX
ARTICLE 1.2 1984 OLYMPIC GAMES TICKET DISTRIBUTION TAX
ARTICLE 1.3 COMMERCIAL TENANT’S OCCUPANCY TAX
ARTICLE 1.5 USE TAX [Suspended]
ARTICLE 1.6 UNIFORM SALES AND USE TAX
ARTICLE 1.7 TRANSIENT OCCUPANCY TAX
ARTICLE 1.8 CIGARETTE TAX ORDINANCE
ARTICLE 1.9 REAL PROPERTY TRANSFER TAX
ARTICLE 1.10 DWELLING UNIT CONSTRUCTION TAX
ARTICLE 1.11 PAYROLL EXPENSE TAX
ARTICLE 1.12 TAX PENALTY AMNESTY OF 2020
ARTICLE 1.13 RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT TAX
ARTICLE 1.14 SPECIAL FIRE SAFETY AND PARAMEDIC COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT TAX
ARTICLE 1.15 PARKING OCCUPANCY TAX
ARTICLE 1.16 SPECIAL POLICE COMMUNICATIONS / 911 SYSTEM TAX
ARTICLE 1.17 ENTERPRISE ZONE HIRING TAX CREDIT VOUCHER APPLICATION FEES
ARTICLE 2 DEFINITIONS - AUTHORITY AND PROCEDURE - REVOCATION OF PERMITS
ARTICLE 6 BICYCLES AND VEHICLES
ARTICLE 8 ADVERTISING
ARTICLE 9 REPOSSESSION OF MOTOR VEHICLES - PERMIT REQUIREMENTS
CHAPTER III PUBLIC HEALTH CODE
CHAPTER IV PUBLIC WELFARE
CHAPTER V PUBLIC SAFETY AND PROTECTION
CHAPTER VI PUBLIC WORKS AND PROPERTY
CHAPTER VII TRANSPORTATION
CHAPTER VIII TRAFFIC
CHAPTER IX BUILDING REGULATIONS
CHAPTER X BUSINESS REGULATIONS
CHAPTER XI NOISE REGULATION
CHAPTER XII THE WATER CONSERVATION PLAN OF THE CITY OF LOS ANGELES
CHAPTER XIII THE EMERGENCY ENERGY CURTAILMENT PLAN OF THE CITY OF LOS ANGELES
CHAPTER XV RENT STABILIZATION ORDINANCE
CHAPTER XVI HOUSING REGULATIONS
CHAPTER XVII RULES AND REGULATIONS GOVERNING THE USE OF THE LOS ANGELES AIRPORTS
CHAPTER XVIII EMPLOYEE WAGES AND PROTECTIONS
CHAPTER XIX ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
CHAPTER XX COVID-19 PROTECTION AND RECOVERY*
TABLES
Los Angeles Planning and Zoning
Chapter 1A City of Los Angeles Zoning Code
Table of Amending Legislation for Chapter 1A
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SEC. 21.65. VENDING MACHINES.
   (Repealed by Ord. No. 178,101, Eff. 1/9/07.)
 
 
SEC. 21.65.1. COIN-OPERATED SCALES AND SERVICE MACHINES.
   (Amended by Ord. No. 178,101, Eff. 1/9/07.)
 
   (a)   For every person engaged in the business of operating, maintaining or letting the use of any coin operated scales, weighing device, baggage checking device, radio, television, or any other coin-operated machine or device, and not otherwise specifically taxed or specifically exempted from tax under any other section of this article, whether or not of the same general character as those specifically enumerated here, which renders any service or furnishes any program or information in return for a coin or token of value and is installed or maintained for profit or gain, the tax shall be $22.17 per year or fractional part for each machine or device.
 
   (b)   Except as otherwise provided in this section, each coin-operated machine or device described in Subsection (a) that is operated, maintained or used within this City shall have conspicuously stamped upon it or affixed on it for identification purposes, the name and address, Business Tax Registration Certification number, and the telephone number, if any, of the owner or operator. The identification shall be provided by the owner or operator of the machine or device, at the owner’s or operator’s expense, notwithstanding the provisions of Section 21.06(b) to the contrary, and shall be removed from, the machine or device by the owner or operator when the authority to use the machine or device is transferred to another person, whether by sale, lease, license or otherwise.
 
   (c)   Exemptions. Nothing contained in this section shall be construed to require the payment of any business tax for any coin-operated machine or device used in the operation of any automatic telephone, or any coin box for the receipt of fares on any carrier, or any coin receiving device the use of which is merely incidental to the conduct of a business operating under any franchise or specifically taxed by other provisions of this article.
 
 
SEC. 21.70. BOWLING ALLEY, SKEE-BALL SHUFFLEBOARD, ETC.
   (Amended by Ord. No. 166,204, Eff. 10/11/90, Oper. 1/1/91.)
 
   For every person engaged in the business of operating any bowling alley, ping-pong court, skee-ball machine, alley or court, or any shuffleboard table or court, or who, in the conduct of any business, uses, operates or maintains any such alley, court, table or machine, or rents or lets the use of any such alley, court, table or machine for the purpose of being used in playing any of the aforementioned games, the tax shall be $54.99 per year or fractional part thereof for each such alley, court, table or machine, provided that nothing in this section or in this article shall require the payment of a tax for engaging in the activities set forth in this section when engaged in by a bona fide social club which is organized for social purposes and maintains or operates the facilities required for the members of the club as an incident to the purpose of the club and not as a primary purpose thereof.
 
 
SEC. 21.74. CIRCUSES.
 
   (a)   “CIRCUS” shall mean an exhibition or entertainment at which feats of horsemanship, acrobatic feats and trained, or wild animals are exhibited or displayed in the City of Los Angeles to which exhibition or entertainment an admission fee is charged, and which exhibition or entertainment is conducted by a person having no regular established place of business in the City of Los Angeles for the exhibition thereof.
 
   (b)   (Amended by Ord. No. 166,204, Eff. 10/11/90, Oper. 1/1/91.) For every person engaged in the business of conducting a circus or similar exhibition, the tax shall be:
 
   For a seating capacity of 11,000 or more, $6,652.00 for the first day, and $3,548.00 for each additional day;
 
   For a seating capacity of 8,000 or more, and less than 11,000, $4,434.00 for the first day, and $2,661.00 for each additional day;
 
   For a seating capacity of 5,000 or more, and less than 8,000, $2,661.00 for the first day, and $1,552.00 for each additional day;
 
   For a seating capacity of 1,000 or more, and less than 5,000, $1,552.00 for the first day, and $887.00 for each additional day;
 
   For a seating capacity of less than 1,000 and more than 300, $222.00 for the first day, and $133.00 for each additional day;
 
   For a seating capacity of 300 or less, $133.00 for the first day, and $89.00 for each additional day.
 
   (c)   Notwithstanding the provisions of Subsection (b), for every person conducting a circus or similar exhibition where the principal performance takes place in a permanent structure such as a theatre, arena, stadium, auditorium, amphitheatre or similar structure, the tax shall be $887.00 per day. (Amended by Ord. No. 166,204, Eff. 10/11/90, Oper. 1/1/91.)
 
SEC. 21.75. SIDE SHOWS, CARNIVALS, CONCESSIONS.
   (Amended by Ord. No. 178,101, Eff. 1/9/07.)
 
   (a)   For every person engaged in the business of conducting a side show, or an after show to the circus, where a separate fee of $0.75 or less, is charged, received or collected, the tax shall be $44.34 per day; where the fee charged, received or collected amounts to more than $0.75, but less than $1.50, the tax shall be $88.69 per day; where the fee charged, received or collected, is $1.50 or more the tax shall be $177.38 per day.
 
   (b)   For every person operating or conducting any carnival, the tax shall be $88.69 for each concession for the first day of the carnival and $44.34 for each concession for each additional day.
 
   (c)   For the purpose of this section, a “carnival” means any fair, festival or like activity of a temporary nature having a concession or concessions. A “concession” is defined to include any booth or stand or any space, court or area at, or in which, any game or test of skill, science or amusement is offered and at or in which the public is permitted or invited to participate for a fee, charge or donation.
 
   (d)   When the carnival is sponsored solely by a religious, charitable, educational, civic, veteran or other non-profit benevolent organization, or by a group of these organizations, the organization or group shall be deemed to be the person operating or conducting the carnival. Provided, however, that in the event any person other than this organization or group receives any proceeds or personal gain or profit by operating or participating in the operation of any concession in, at or adjacent to the carnival on behalf of the person or on behalf of any person other than the sponsoring organization or organizations, that person shall be deemed to be the person operating or conducting the carnival.
 
   (e)   In the case of more than one non-sponsoring operator or conductor, each shall be jointly and severally liable and responsible for making application for the business tax registration certificate and for payment of the business tax for the carnival; provided, however, if one non-sponsoring operator or conductor has also rented, leased or otherwise furnished for use in the carnival equipment as concession booths or stands, or games or tests of skill, science or amusement, that person shall be deemed to be the operator or conductor of the carnival; and if more than one non-sponsoring operator or conductor has rented, leased or furnished equipment to the carnival, that person whom the Director of Finance, after full investigation of all the facts, determines to be the one who has leased, rented or furnished the greater amount of equipment shall be deemed to be the operator or conductor of the carnival.
 
   (f)   Where the operator or conductor of the carnival is a religious, charitable, educational, civic, veteran or other non-profit benevolent organization, or a group of these organizations, and the net proceeds of the carnival are to be used exclusively for religious, charitable, benevolent, educational or civic purposes, the operator or conductor shall be entitled to a tax exempt registration certificate upon application and qualification for the certificate as provided in this subsection.
 
   The application for this exemption shall be made in the manner provided in Section 21.22 of this article not less than 30 calendar days prior to the starting date of the carnival; provided however, an application for this exemption, which is not filed within the time period prescribed here, may be accepted by the Director of Finance upon a showing that the failure to file a timely application was not a result of an intentional disregard of the prescribed statutory provisions. The Board of Police Commissioners shall investigate as provided in Section 21.22 and shall forward its report to the Director of Finance at least 16 calendar days prior to the starting date of the carnival in all cases where the application has been timely filed; otherwise the report shall be forwarded within 16 calendar days subsequent to the filing of the application for the exemption. If the report certifies that the sponsorship of the carnival and the use to be made of the net proceeds meet the requirements of this subsection for a tax exempt registration certificate, and if all other charges, fees and taxes required to be paid to the Director of Finance by reason of the operation of the carnival or activities conducted in connection with the carnival have been paid, the Director of Finance shall issue a tax exempt registration certificate. Any application not reported upon by the Board of Police Commissioners within the time limits prescribed here shall be deemed to be approved and the Director of Finance may issue the tax exempt certificate in lieu of payment of the tax.
 
   If at any time the carnival or any part of it is conducted in a manner which, had it been disclosed in the application for the exempt certificate approved by the Board of Police Commissioners, would not have entitled the organization or organizations conducting the carnival to a tax exempt registration certificate, or if the net proceeds from the carnival are not used for the purposes stated in this subsection, if any tax exempt registration certificate so issued shall be void and the full amount of the business tax for the carnival shall be immediately due and payable to the City, and no other tax exempt registration certificate for a carnival shall be issued to the sponsoring organization or organizations until the tax has been paid.
 
   (g)   No business tax registration certificate and no business tax shall be required for any religious, charitable, educational or other non-profit benevolent institution to operate or conduct a carnival held within and upon buildings or grounds owned or occupied by the institution where none of the rides set forth in Section 21.94 are operated in, at or adjacent to the carnival and the concessions of the carnival are operated exclusively by and for the entertainment or benefit of the members of that institution and the net proceeds derived from the concessions are not used for the purpose of private gain to any individual but are used wholly for the benefit of the organization or for charitable or benevolent purposes; provided, that no advertising for the carnival is placed, exhibited, shown, or otherwise permitted outside the premises of the buildings or grounds and the non-member public is not invited to participate in or attend the carnival.
 
   (h)   No tax shall be required for any person conducting or operating a carnival at any fair, festival or like activity of a temporary nature conducting or operated by a California Agricultural District.
 
   (i)   For every person engaged in the business of conducting a circus procession or circus parade, and not having a registration certificate for conducting, managing or carrying on a circus within the limits of the City of Los Angeles, the tax shall be $4,434.00 for each procession or parade.
 
 
SEC. 21.78. COLLECTION AGENCIES.
   (Repealed by Ord. No. 178,101, Eff. 1/9/07.)
 
 
SEC. 21.79. COMMISSION BROKERS.
   (Repealed by Ord. No. 178,101, Eff. 1/9/07.)
 
 
SEC. 21.80. INDEPENDENT TELEMARKETING AGENCY.
   (Repealed by Ord. No. 178,101, Eff. 1/9/07.)
 
 
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