City wants to charge business license fees on rental properties

[Matt Zeidan]

Hello all,

We live in the SF bay area and in a certain city we have property in, the city has sent letters to us requiring us to have a business license for our commercial property that we rent out. Can someone explain how its legal to require this of the property owner and not just require it of the occupant (if they are operating a business out of it)?

Any advice?

[Bruce Woodruff]

You are running a business ( renting property ) so therefore you need a business license. Your tenants need a separate business license for their activities.