NAICS 811192 · California
Car Washes Business Names in California
California has 2,262 car washes locations, ranking #1 of 51 states and D.C. and making up 11.6% of the U.S. total.
Name ideas for a California car washes business
Before you commit, search the California business entity database (linked below) to make sure the name is not already registered there.
Car Washes in California by the numbers
Locations by number of employees in California
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2022. Counts cover employer establishments (businesses with paid employees); self-employed owners without staff are not included. Small establishments with 1–4 employees include those that reported no paid employees in mid-March.
Register your business name in California
In most states you check name availability and form an LLC or corporation through the Secretary of State (or equivalent) office, then register with the state tax and labor agencies if you will collect sales tax or hire employees. Official California links:
- Permits and licenses
- Secretary of State
- Franchise Tax Board
- Employment Development Department
- California state website
- Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development
- California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation
- Board of Equalization
- Department of Industrial Relations
- New Hire Registry
- Small Business Administration - California
- State Agency Index
- California Code of Regulations
- Department of General Services
- Small Business Assistance Center
- Department of General Services - Procurement Division
- County websites
Official state agency links as listed by the IRS on its California state links page. Filing fees and steps change, so confirm current requirements with the agency before you file.
Other states for car washes
See the national car washes page → · Top industries in California →