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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. 21.167.1. SALES OF FIREARMS AND AMMUNITION.
   (Added by Ord. No. 170,729, Eff. 11/20/95. Oper. 1/1/96.)
 
   (a)   For every person selling any firearms and ammunition, the tax shall be $106.43 per year or fractional part thereof for the first $18,000.00 or less of gross receipts, plus $5.91 per year for each additional $1,000.00 of gross receipts or fractional part thereof in excess of $18,000.00.
 
   (b)   For the purpose of this section:
 
   1.   The term “Firearms” shall be defined as any pistol, revolver, rifle, shotgun or other device, designed to be used as a weapon, from which a projectile is expelled through a barrel by the force of an explosion or any other form of combustion, or any device which is capable of being altered so as to expel a projectile in such manner.
 
   2.   The term “Ammunition” shall be defined as any projectile designed to be expelled through the barrel of a firearm by the force of any explosion or other form of combustion.
 
 
SEC. 21.168.1. OUT OF STATE SALES.
   (Amended by Ord. No. 178,101, Eff. 1/9/07.)
 
   Nothing defined in Section 21.41, as Multimedia Business, in Section 21.42, as Wholesale Sales or in Section 21.44, as Retail Sales, shall be construed to require the inclusion in the computation of the amount of the tax due under these sections the gross receipts of the sales of goods, which are shipped to the purchasers of the goods by the seller to points outside of the State of California.
 
 
SEC. 21.168.2. SALE FOR CONVENIENCE.
 
   Unless otherwise specifically provided, the phrase “selling goods, wares or merchandise” shall, whenever used in this article, in addition to any other meaning established by law, be deemed to extend to and include in its application the serving or supplying of meals for a fee or charge; but sales of goods, wares or merchandise by persons engaged in selling such articles shall not be considered as producing gross receipts to the extent that such sales are for convenience. A “sale for convenience,” as used in this section, is a sale of new goods, wares, or merchandise by a person engaged in selling such articles to another person engaged in selling like or similar kinds of articles.
 
   (i)   Where the primary purpose of the particular transaction of sale is to accommodate the purchaser rather than to make a sale in the ordinary course of business;
 
   (ii)   Where, in the particular kind of business involved, a similar manner of dealing is frequent or customary in the circumstances under which the particular sale is made; and
 
   (iii)   Where goods, wares or merchandise of like or similar kind and of substantially equivalent value to that which was sold is received in consideration.
 
   The following types of transactions are sales for convenience within the meaning of this section when the circumstances stated in Paragraphs (i), (ii) and (iii) are present:
 
   (1)   Transactions in which the seller conveys an article which is in short supply, or which, under the circumstances, cannot be obtained by the purchaser through normal sources of supply in sufficient time to permit the purchaser to furnish an equivalent article to a prospective customer;
 
   (2)   Transactions in which, by reason of the seller’s more convenient location relative to a designated point of delivery, the purchaser agrees to reimburse the seller for delivering goods, wares or merchandise at that point to the purchaser’s customer in accordance with a contract of sale between the purchaser and their customer;
 
   (3)   Transactions in which, as a matter of business practice, the form of a sale is arranged and entered into by the seller and the purchaser as a substitute for or the equivalent of the transportation of the article or the payment of transportation charges on the article from the point of the delivery to some other point;
 
   (4)   Transactions different in detail from those described in the three immediately preceding paragraphs of this section, but which the Director of Finance has found and by rule determined to be of a kind whose primary purpose is to accommodate the purchaser rather than to make a sale in the ordinary course of business; of a kind which, in the particular kind of business involved, is frequent or customary in the circumstances under which a particular sale is made; and of a kind where goods, wares or merchandise of like or similar kind, and of substantially equivalent value to that which was sold is received as consideration.
 
   No sale shall be considered a sale for convenience within the meaning of this section unless it is of a kind described in Paragraphs (1), (2), (3) or (4) of this section.
 
 
SEC. 21.168.3. CERTAIN SOLICITORS DEEMED EMPLOYEES.
   (Amended by Ord. No. 178,101, Eff. 1/9/07.)
 
   Any person who goes from place to place to solicit sales of goods, wares or merchandise of another person, or to sell and deliver the goods, wares or merchandise of another person or the person’s products exclusively, is deemed for the purposes of this article to be the employee of the other person and not liable for payment of business tax for the sales or delivery, provided that the person deemed here to be the employer shall pay to the City all business tax measured by the gross receipts from the sales computed at the rate provided in Sections 21.42 or 21.44, whichever is applicable. The Director of Finance shall issue a Registration Certificate in the manner provided in this article to any person deemed in this section to be an employer who undertakes to pay business tax in the manner provided here.
 
 
SEC. 21.168.4. EXEMPTION – TEMPORARY EXHIBITORS AT TRADESHOWS.
   (Added by Ord. No. 144,111, Eff. 12/31/72.)
 
   (a)   Nothing contained in Section 21.42, Wholesale Sales, in Section 21.44, Retail Sales, in Section 21.47, Commission Broker or Article 1.2 of Chapter 2 relative to art and cultural shows, shall be construed to require the payment of a tax by any person operating a temporary exhibit at a bona fide trade show where the temporary exhibit does not exceed 14 days within any six-month period in a calendar year at any single trade show. (Amended by Ord. No. 178,101, Eff. 1/9/07.)
 
   (b)   For the purpose of this section a bona fide trade show means an exhibition of products or services or both of a specified industry, presented for educational purposes and industry improvement. Attendance and sales are limited to persons dealing in or using the products and services of the specific industry in the conduct of a commercial enterprise.
 
   Such shows are usually, but not necessarily, sponsored by trade associations or scientific societies for the advancement and improvement of the industry in which the society or association members deal. Technical or professional meetings are usually conducted concurrently with exhibits at such shows dealing in subjects concerning the particular industry.
 
 
SEC. 21.168.5. CERTIFIED PRODUCERS DEEMED EMPLOYEES.
   (Added by Ord. No. 155,562, Eff. 8/9/81.)
 
   (a)   Any person who is a certified producer and who sells goods, wares or merchandise at a certified farmer’s market is deemed for the purposes of this article to be the employee of the operator of the certified farmer’s market and not liable for payment of business tax for the sales provided that the operator shall pay to the City business taxes measured by the gross receipts from the sales computed at the rate provided in Section 21.44. The Director of Finance shall issue a registration certificate in the manner provided in this article to any operator deemed in this section to be an employer who undertakes to pay business taxes in the manner provided here. (Amended by Ord. No. 178,101, Eff. 1/9/07.)
 
   (b)   For the purpose of this section a certified producer shall mean a person authorized by the County Agricultural Commissioner to sell directly to consumers at a certified farmer’s market products produced upon land which is controlled by such person.
 
   (c)   For the purpose of this section a certified farmer’s market shall mean a location approved by the County Agricultural Commissioner where products may be sold by certified producers directly to consumers and which is operated by one or more certified producers, a nonprofit organization or a local government agency.
 
 
SEC. 21.169. CHRISTMAS TREES.
   (Amended by Ord. No. 178,101, Eff. 1/9/07.)
 
   For every person engaged in the business of selling or offering for sale Christmas trees at retail, and not from a fixed place of business dealing in other commodities and previously taxed under Section 21.44 of this article, the tax shall be $29.56 per quarter or fractional part.
 
 
SEC. 21.170. CHRISTMAS TREE LOT CLEAN-UP DEPOSITS.
 
   If the lot, or portion thereof actually used for the sales operation, for the retail sale of Christmas trees pursuant to Subdivision 4 of Subsection A of Section 12.22 of this Code, is not cleaned on or before the January fifth next following the cessation of the annual retail sale of Christmas trees to the satisfaction of the Department of Building and Safety, the City, through the Department of Public Works, shall undertake the necessary cleanup of the lot, or portion thereof, and the deposit referred to in Paragraph (e) of Subdivision 4 of Subsection A of Section 12.22 of this Code or whatever portion thereof is necessary shall be retained by the City to offset the cost of the City cleaning services. For the purpose of this section only, “cleaned” shall include, but not be limited to, the removal of all Christmas trees, temporary structures, trailers, fencing, light poles, tree limbs, sawdust, debris, trash, lumber, etc., used in conjunction with or existing as a result of the Christmas tree sales operation. Upon written request of the operator of the sale of Christmas trees, and upon the receipt of advice in writing from the Department of Building and Safety that the lot of such operator has been cleaned to the satisfaction of the Department, the Director of Finance shall take steps to reimburse the unused portion of such deposit, if any, to the operator. (Added by Ord. No. 151,712, Eff. 11/24/78.)
 
 
SEC. 21.171. RETAILERS OF NEW PASSENGER MOTOR VEHICLES.
   (Added by Ord. No. 182,184, Eff. 8/20/12.)
 
   (a)   Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 21.44, all gross receipts from the retail sales of new passenger motor vehicles by a dealer of new passenger motor vehicles are exempt from taxation under this Article.
 
   (b)   For the purpose of this Section:
 
   1.   A “dealer of new passenger motor vehicles” is a person who acquires for resale new and unregistered passenger motor vehicles from manufacturers or distributors of those motor vehicles. A “dealer of new passenger motor vehicles” must be subject to and comply with the provisions of Chapter 6 of Division 2 of the California Vehicle Code (i.e., the requirements of the New Motor Vehicle Board).
 
   2.   The term “motor vehicle” shall have the same meaning as that set forth for “motor vehicle” in California Vehicle Code Section 415, as of the effective date of this Section.
 
   3.   This Section shall only apply to the sale of passenger vehicles. A “passenger vehicle” shall have the same meaning as that set forth for “passenger vehicle” in California Vehicle Code Section 465 as of the effective date of this Section. “Passenger vehicle” shall not include housecars, mobile homes, motorcycles, motor-driven cycles, motorized bicycles, motorized quadricycles, motorized scooters or similar motorized vehicles.
 
   (c)    This section and the tax treatment for retailers of new passenger motor vehicles shall be operative effective January 1, 2013, through the 2020 tax year.
 
 
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