To find your permit number in California, go to the agency that issued the permit: city or county building departments for construction permits, the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA) for seller’s permits, the Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) for most professional licenses, the Contractors State License Board (CSLB) for contractors, and the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) for liquor licenses. No single state portal covers them all, so the first step is identifying which agency handles your permit type.
Check the Permit Document First
If you still have the paper permit, the number is almost always printed at the top of the page under a label like “Permit No.,” “Application Number,” or “Reference ID.” The format varies by agency but usually combines the year of issuance with a string of digits or letters. On building permits, the identifier typically sits in the upper-right corner so inspectors can spot it during site visits.
Some agencies print the number next to the expiration date or the issuing official’s signature. If the document has a barcode or QR code, the permit number is usually printed just above or below it. That alphanumeric string is what you’ll use to pull the full history from the issuing agency’s online system.
Building Permits: Search the Local Portal
Building permits in California are issued by city or county building departments, so the records live on local government websites rather than a state database. Most jurisdictions let you search by property address, and many accept assessor parcel number or permit number as well.
The Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety offers a “Search Online Building Records” tool that returns permit history for any address in the city.1Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety. Home Page – LADBS2San Francisco Department of Building Inspection. Permit / Complaint Tracking System3City of Pasadena. Permit Center Online4City of Santa Clara. Permit Center
If you’re not sure which jurisdiction covers your property, start with the county building department’s website and look for a “Permit Search” or “Property Information” link. The results list every permit on file for the parcel, including the permit number, work description, and inspection status.
Seller’s Permits: CDTFA Verification
Anyone selling tangible personal property in California needs a seller’s permit, and the CDTFA runs a public verification tool that confirms a permit’s status. The tool is on the CDTFA’s online services page and covers seller’s permits, cigarette and tobacco retailer’s licenses, and eWaste accounts.5California Department of Tax and Fee Administration. Permits and Licenses You can also verify a permit by phone through the CDTFA’s automated line at 1-888-225-5263.6California Department of Tax and Fee Administration. Sales for Resale – Valid Resale Certificates
The same tool is what you use to verify a resale certificate handed to you by a buyer. Running the permit number takes about 30 seconds and protects you from liability if the certificate turns out to be fraudulent.
Professional Licenses: DCA Search
The Department of Consumer Affairs maintains a centralized license search at search.dca.ca.gov that covers dozens of boards and bureaus. You can search by name or license number and see whether the license is current, expired, suspended, or revoked.7Department of Consumer Affairs. DCA License Search The tool pulls records from boards including the Medical Board, Board of Pharmacy, Board of Registered Nursing, Board of Accountancy, Bureau of Automotive Repair, and the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services, among others.
Several significant boards are not on the DCA tool and keep their own databases. Contractors are the biggest exclusion. The Bureau of Real Estate Appraisers, Bureau of Private Postsecondary Education, and Court Reporters Board also require separate lookups on their own websites.7Department of Consumer Affairs. DCA License Search A blank result on the DCA site does not mean the person is unlicensed; it may mean you’re searching the wrong database.
Contractor Licenses: CSLB Lookup
The Contractors State License Board has its own search tool where you can look up a license by number, business name, or the name of an individual associated with the license.8Contractors State License Board. Check a License Results show the license status along with complaint disclosure information. Home Improvement Salesperson (HIS) registrations are searchable through the same page.
If you’re hiring a contractor, this is the lookup to run before signing anything. A license number printed on a business card means nothing until you’ve confirmed it matches the person in front of you.
Alcohol Licenses: ABC Lookup
The California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control provides a license lookup covering every establishment and individual licensed to sell or serve alcohol in the state. You can search by license number, licensee name, business name (DBA), or address.9California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control. License Lookup The tool also lets you pull every license of a given type within a city, zip code, or county, which is useful when you’re doing due diligence on a commercial property or verifying that a bar or restaurant holds an active license.
Not Sure Which Permit You Have? Use CalGold
CalGold is a state-run directory that helps business owners identify which permits and licenses they need and which agencies issue them. Enter your business type and location, and CalGold generates a list of applicable permits with contact information for the relevant agencies at the state, county, and city level.10CalGold. CalGold v2 – Permit Assistance Tool
CalGold does not issue permits and will not give you a specific permit number. It points you to the right agency, and from there you use that agency’s verification portal to pull your actual number. The tool is still being updated with new permitting information, so use its results as a starting point rather than a final list.
Your Federal EIN Is Not a California Permit Number
A federal Employer Identification Number issued by the IRS is not interchangeable with a California permit number. The EIN identifies your business for federal tax purposes; California permit numbers tie to specific authorizations to operate, sell, build, or practice a profession in the state. When a California vendor or agency asks for a “permit number,” they almost always mean the state-issued one.
EINs are also not searchable through any public portal. If you’ve lost yours, the IRS directs you to request an Entity transcript or call the business tax line for a copy of Letter 147C, which confirms the previously assigned number.11Internal Revenue Service. Employer Identification Number No online lookup exists for EINs the way it does for seller’s permits or professional licenses.