A record number of businesses came to Surf City in 2001

More than 17,000 business licenses were registered in Huntington Beach

by the beginning of December, the most ever in the city.

As of Dec. 1 a record 17,067 business licenses were registered with

the city compared to 16,457 registered at the same time in last year.

“More people are wanting to do business in the city,” said Leonie

Crouch, with the city’s Business License Division.

Any business based in the city or any business that comes into the

city to do business such as subcontractors or gardeners are required to

register for a license, Crouch said.

A license is a tax to do business in the city that contributes to the

city’s public safety and health programs and services.

Typically the license costs $100 but can be more depending on how many

employees the business has, Crouch added.

The city’s business license staff issues new and renewal licenses and

has field representatives calling businesses to make sure their licenses

are current.