Obtaining a Business Tax Certificate (sometimes referred to as a "Business License"): Whether you're operating from home or a storefront, office or industrial park, you'll need a Business Tax Certificate. Business Tax Certificate applications are managed by, and available through the Finance Department. For more information or questions about your application, please call (707) 543-3170. Remember to submit your application several weeks before you open for business and be sure you've secured all of your necessary planning approvals. Business Tax Certificates are renewed annually.
Building Permit: When You Need One/Where to Go: Building permits are required to modify the space your business will occupy, including improvements or changes to the building's structure, electrical, mechanical or plumbing systems. You can contact the Building Division at (707) 543-3230 for information on applying for a permit, or click here.
Seller's Permit: When You Need One/Where to Go: If you plan to sell or lease retail or wholesale goods, you'll need a Seller's Permit or "resale number". Contact the State Board of Equalization by calling (707) 576-2100, visit their website at http://www.boe.ca.gov/ or stop by the Santa Rosa office at 50 D Street, Room 230, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Federal and State Identification Numbers: When You Need One/Where to Go: All new businesses employing one or more persons must apply for a State Employer's Identification Number. Contact the State's Employment Development Department by calling (888) 745-3886, visit their website at http://www.edd.ca.gov/, or stop by the Santa Rosa office at 50 D Street, Room 415, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. You'll also need a Federal Identification Number if you're employing one or more persons. Contact the IRS Business Tax Line at (800) 829-1040, visit their website at www.irs.gov, or stop by the Santa Rosa office at 777 Sonoma Avenue between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. You can also call (707) 523-0924.
Naming Your Business: If you will be using a fictitious name for your business (a name other than your personal legal name), you will need to check with the County Clerk to be sure no one else is using that name before completing a Fictitious Business Name Statement. The Sonoma County Clerk is located in Santa Rosa at 2300 County Center Drive, Suite B-177. You may also call the County Clerk's office at (707) 565-3800 or visit their website at http://www.sonoma-county.org/clerk.
Selling Alcoholic Beverages: You must first ask the City's Planning Division if your business is located within a zone that allows for alcohol sales. Once you have determined that your business location allows for the sale of alcoholic beverages, you may apply to the State of California's Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) office, which issues the actual license. For more information on where and how to apply, check the ABC's website at www.abc.ca.gov.
Serving/Selling Food: Any type of retail food sales requires a permit from the County's Department of Environmental Health. For new facilities, you will need to submit building plans to both the City's Community Development Department and the County's Department of Environmental Health. For more information, call (707) 565-6531, or visit their website at www.sonoma-county.org/health/eh/foodhome.htm.
Downtown Street Vendor Permit: When you Need One/Where to Go: Are you interested in operating a vendor cart downtown? Small carts are allowed with a permit in Courthouse Square, Fremont Park, JeJu Way, and Comstock Mall. Carts must be stationary during operating hours in the area specified on the permit, and removed each evening. Vendors are allowed to sell food, non-alcoholic beverages, cut flowers, and/or art or crafts made by the vendor. More information and application.