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How to Start a
Business in the City of Santa Clarita
A 5 Step Guide to the City's Requirements and Important
Telephone Numbers.
 Contact Santa Clarita City Hall and make sure the zoning is correct
for your new business address.
- Every business must meet zoning requirements and restrictions to insure
that its business category and site are compatible. Before signing any
leases or moving in, check with the City's Planning Department.
- A few businesses that heavily impact their area require a Conditional
Use Permit (CUP). Application for a CUP is typically a 5-month process
in which environmental impacts are studied by Planning and are then subject
to Planning Commission approval or denial.
 File a fictitious name statement and file your "doing business
as" name in a local newspaper.
- If you use your initials or first and middle name along with your
last name in the name of your business, such as A.L. Jones Materials,
or Albert L. Jones Materials, you do not need to file for a fictitious
name. If you use just your initials, first name or last name such as ALJ
Materials, Albert Materials, or Jones Materials, you need to file for
a fictitious name. If you use Sons or Company, such as Al Jones and Company
Materials, or Al Jones and Sons Materials, you must file for a fictitious
name. If you use any other name other than your legal given name or initials,
you must file a fictitious name.
- Prior to filing a fictitious name statement, it is recommended that
you call the Los Angeles County Clerk's Office and determine if in fact
your business name is already in use.
- To file a fictitious name statement, you must contact the local newspaper.
The paper will file your DBA statement with the Los Angeles County Clerk's
office and publish your new business name.
Obtain a State Board of Equalization resale permit,
if required. Contact the State of California to file proper State Tax forms
and obtain labor standards for employees.
- Many businesses are required to obtain a permit from the State Board
of Equalization for "selling or acquiring any tangible items for repair
or use in their business." You must have a resale permit if your business
is commercial home-based, sales, or repair oriented. As a note - whatever
parts or supplies are purchased at wholesale for later resale, you must
have a resale permit.
- If your business will have employees other than yourself, contact
the Employment Development Department for information on state withholding
taxes,
disability and unemployment insurance.
- For businesses employing only
the owners, contact the Franchise Tax Board for state withholding and
corporation state taxes.
- Contact the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for your employer identification
number. The IRS will also provide a "business person's kit," seminars
for new businesses, additional information and required forms.
- Contact
the Small Business Administration which provides financial and management
training to assist you in your business operations.
Business License:
The County of Los Angeles is under contract with the City of Santa
Clarita to provide business license and peddler/ solicitor permit services.
Therefore,
until otherwise notified, all applications for business licenses and
peddler/ solicitor permits are handled by the Los Angeles County Treasurer
Tax Collector's business license division. The business license office
is located at 23757 W. Valencia Blvd., within the County Civic Center.
Office hours are Monday and Wednesday, 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Closed
for lunch between 12:00 - 1:00 p.m.
- If you have followed the first four steps, you should
be able to supply the County with the following information for a business
license:
- Business address approved by the City's Planning Department.
- Fictitious
name and any County or State permits.
- State resale permit number from
the State Board of Equalization, if required.
- Depending on the type of
business you plan to conduct, you may be required to have:
- Health Permit
- Fire Inspection
- Alcoholic Beverage Permit
- Contractor's License
- All necessary Building Permits
- When filing for a license, you will
need the following information to complete the application process:
- Your
business name and address
- Your business telephone number
- Description of your business
- The number of employees on staff
- The property owner's name and the
telephone number of the person to contact in case of an emergency
- The
name, address, and telephone numbers of any contractors who will be involved
in the operation of your business
(i.e., gardeners,
janitorial
service, consultants, etc.)
- Your social security number
- Your Federal I.D. number
- Your State employee I.D. number
- Your Driver's License number
Important Telephone Numbers
Building Permits and Inspections
(661) 255-4935
City of Santa Clarita Planning Department
(661) 255-4330
Consumer Affairs/Court Advising
(Wednesdays only)
23747 W. Valencia Blvd. Rm 6
Santa Clarita
(661) 253-7328
County Clerk
(800) 201-8999
(562) 462-2177
County of Los Angeles Business Licensing
(661) 253-7342
Employment Development Department
(818) 901-5138
Franchise Tax Board
(800) 852-5711
Home Occupation Permit
(661) 255-4330 |
Information Line
(661) 286-4087
Internal Revenue Service
(800) 829-1040
Los Angeles County Health Department
(661) 254-9560
Los Angeles County Tax Assessor
(661) 254-9550
Signal Newspaper
(661) 259-1234
Small Business Administration
(818) 552-3210
Small Business Development Center (SBDC)
(661) 294-9375
State Board of Equalization
(818) 904-2300
Taxpayer's Education
(213) 576-4180 |
This information is provided as a public service to assist persons interested
in establishing and conducting a business in the City
of Santa Clarita. It is not warranted to be all inclusive. Any errors or
omissions
herein will not relieve the business owner of his/her responsibility,
obligation
or liability in fulfilling all legal requirements.
Prepared
by the
City of Santa Clarita, Administrative Services Department,
23920 Valencia Blvd., Suite 295, Santa Clarita, CA. 91355. |