There are several key steps to starting a business in the City of San Diego. The steps may vary according to the type of business you intend to start, but the following 10 steps will give you a general idea.Note: Many of the following steps can be researched and accomplished by first visiting the respective web sites listed, rather than calling or visiting agency offices.For those business start-ups that do not have access to the Internet, you may visit any of the City’s Community Service Centers or Public Libraries and get online.

 1. Get Basic Information

The City of San Diego’s Main Library provides significant resource materials, including information on market research, trademark and service marks, how–to books on a variety of businesses and industries, etc. The Central Library also offers workshops on patent, trademark and copyright issues. For more information, contact:City of San Diego Public Library 820 E Street, San Diego, CA 92101

(619) 236-5800 website: www.sandiego.gov/public-library/

The U.S. Small Business Administration has a Business Resource Center which provides a one-stop location for free access to a variety of information, education and training designed to help entrepreneurs start, operate and grow their business. In addition, there is on-site free counseling provided by the Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE). For more information contact: U.S. Small Business Administration

550 West “C” Street, Suite 550, San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 557-7272 website: www.sba.gov/regions/states/ca/sandiego

The City of San Diego’s Office of Small Business acts as an information clearinghouse for City programs and those of other agencies in the area. The information can be requested via e-mail or telephone or can be accessed on-line or by visiting the office. Seminars such as the ABC’s of Starting, Growing, and Financing Your Small Business, are offered periodically. Additionally, the Small Business Advocate can assist you with City zoning, permitting and regulatory challenges.City of San Diego, Office of Small Business

600 B Street, Fourth Floor, San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 533-4233 e-mail: mailto:sdbusiness@sandiego.gov?subject=A%20GSDBA%20website%20user%20would%20like%20more%20information

website: www.sandiego.gov/economic-development/business-assistance/small-business/

2. Create a Business Plan

A business plan is like a roadmap; it shows you where you are in relation to where you want to be. Whether you believe in a business plan or not, starting a business involves many ideas that need to be documented and actions that need to be taken. Many businesses fail without a business plan, and furthermore, banks require one prior to being considered for a loan. Contact:U.S Small Business Administration, Service Corps of Retired Executives

550 West C Street, Suite 550, San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 557-7272 website: www.sba.gov/regions/states/ca/sandiego

3. Determine a Business Name

The name you choose for your business is very important. If the name you choose is your own legal surname and a one-word description (such as John Smith Roofing) then you are not required to register a fictitious business name. If you choose a business name that does not meet these parameters (such as JS Expert Roofing) and your business is not registered with the state then state law requires you to file a fictitious business name statement with the County of San Diego. Please note that this statement does not protect the business name.County of San Diego, Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk’s Office

1600 Pacific Highway, Room 260, San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 237-0502 website: www.sdcounty.ca.gov/arcc

4. Determine the Legal Structure of the Business

Several legal structures exist in the state of California. Your choice of legal structure will affect your income taxes and personal liability. Most businesses start as a Sole Proprietorship or a General Partnership

Liability Partnerships Secretary of State. You are strongly advised to contact your own accountant or attorney for advice and assistance in determining the best legal structure for you and your business. California Business Portal

(916) 324-6769 website: www.ss.ca.gov/business/business.htm

IRS’S Technical Services Division(800) 829-1040 website: www.irs.treas.gov

5. Determine the Business Activity Type

There is a classification system for business activity types in San Diego, which identifies a business activity and determines many of the start-up requirements and where the business can be located. Determine the general business activity type from the list below. The same list is also provided with the Business Tax Certificate application.

Agriculture (11) Transportation and Warehousing (48-49) Educational Services (61) Mining (21) Information Services (51) Health Care/Social Assistance (62) Utilities (22) Finance and Insurance (52) Arts/Entertainment/Recreation (71) Construction (23) Real Estate/Rental/Leasing (53) Accommodation/Foodservices (72) Manufacturing (31-33) Professional/Scientific/Technical (54) Other Services (81) Wholesale (42) Management Services (55) Public Administration (92) Retail (44-45) Administrative Support (56) 3

For more information on business activity type contact:City Treasurer’s Office

1200 Third Ave., First Floor, San Diego, CA 92101

(619) 615-1500 website: www.sandiego.gov/treasurer/index.shtml#btax

6. Select a Site and Determine Zoning and Site Permit Requirements

Determining zoning requirements prior to signing a lease or contract is imperative. You must check with the City to see if the type of business you plan to operate is legal in the desired location. You can usually receive same day information on the status of your location if you have the proposed business address and a description of the business when you contact:

City’s Development Services Department
1222 First Avenue, Third Floor, San Diego, CA 92101
website: www.sandiego.gov/development-services/smallbus/Zoning Permits -

If operating from home, you must follow the requirements for Home Occupations. You can obtain this information by contacting:

Neighborhood Code Compliance
(619) 236-5500 website: www.sandiego.gov/nccd/zoning/home.shtml

7. Obtain Any Special Licenses and Permits

The business activity type chosen determines the licenses and permits needed to operate a business legally. Some of the key contacts are listed below. The CalGOLD database provides detailed information on the business permit, license and registration requirements from all levels of government. The information includes a description of the requirement, the name, address, and telephone number of the agency, and frequently, a direct link to that agency's Internet web pages. The information identified is specific to the type of business and its location in California.

CalGOLD
(916) 322-7394 website: www.calgold.ca.gov

For a list of more than 200 regulated Occupations and Professional Services, contact:

State Department of Consumer Affairs
(800) 952-5210 website: www.dca.ca.gov

For the list of Police Regulated Business within the City of San Diego, contact:

San Diego Police Licensing Division
(619) 531-2250

Businesses selling tangible personal property in the state of California must apply for Seller’s Permit/Resale Number

State Board of Equalization1350 Front Street, Room 5047, San Diego, CA 92101

(619) 525-4526 website: www.boe.ca.gov

Businesses engaged in selling goods by weight or volume must register the devices with the County Agriculture, Weights and Measures Office. Permits must usually be obtained by: import/export businesses, agricultural-related production, and businesses using pesticides.County -

Agricultural, Weights and Measures Department
5555 Overland Ave., Bldg 3
San Diego, CA 92122-1295
(858) 694-2739 www.sdcawm.org

Business engaged in: selling or handling food products, operating a pool or spa, handling hazardous materials, underground storage tanks, medical wastes, x-ray equipment, or waste handling must contact the Department of Environmental Health at the County.

County - Environmental Health
1255 Imperial Ave., Third Floor
San Diego, CA 92101
Tel: (619) 338-2222, Fax: (619) 338-2377
www.sdcdeh.org

Other permits and licenses may also be required.

8. Get Tax Information

Several types of taxes may be levied on businesses including income tax, employment tax and the City’s Business Tax. For City tax information contact:

City Treasurer’s Office
(619) 615-1500 website: www.sandiego.gov

For state taxes visit the California Tax Information Center that is sponsored by California’s tax agencies (Board of Equalization, Employment Development Department, and Franchise Tax Board) and the IRS.California Tax Information Center

website: www.taxes.ca.gov/

For a copy of “Striking Gold in California”, which outlines state taxes for businesses, contact:State Board of Equalization  (800) 400-7115 website: www.taxes.ca.gov/doingbus.html

For federal tax information and a copy of the “Small Business Resource Guide” an invaluable tool to help business owners understand the basics contact:Internal Revenue Service

(800) 829-1040 website: www.irs.treas.gov

9. Employer Responsibilities

A whole new set of responsibilities arises when a business hires employees. Employers must register as an employer and obtain a federal Employer Identification Number (EIN), pay additional taxes, withhold, match and submit employee withholdings, must obtain worker’s compensation insurance and adhere to employee eligibility regulations.

The EIN, also known as a Federal Tax Identification Number, is a nine-digit number that the IRS assigns to business entities. The IRS uses this number to identify taxpayers that are required to file various business tax returns. EINs are used by employers, sole proprietors, corporations, partnerships, non-profit organizations, trusts and estates, government agencies, certain individuals and other business entities. Federal Employer ID numbers can be obtained by completing form SS-4 on-line or calling:

Internal Revenue Service
(800) 829-4933 website: www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0,,id=102767,00.html

Get information on state requirements, taxes and services for employers by contacting:Employment Development Department

: website: www.edd.ca.gov/employer.htm

10. Apply for a Business Tax Certificate (License)

Anyone doing business in the City of San Diego for more than six days in one calendar year must have a business tax certificate. Home-based businesses, self employed persons and independent contractors are also required to have a business tax certificate. The applications can be obtained and filed at the following locations or downloaded from the City’s website:

City Treasurer’s Office, Business Tax Division
1200 Third Ave., First floor, San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 615-1500 website: www.sandiego.gov/treasurer/index.shtml#btax

City of San Diego Community Service Centers

Clairemont Navajo Peninsula Rancho Bernardo San Ysidro Scripps Ranch By following these key steps, with the process, or with permitting, zoning, etc., contact the City of San Diego’s Office of Small Business. The office maintains a small business advocacy/ombuds program, which is designed to provide zoning, permit, and regulatory assistance to small businesses. City of San Diego, Office of Small Business 600 B Street, Fourth Floor, San Diego, CA 92101

(619) 533-4233 e-mail: sdbusiness@sandiego.gov

website: www.sandiego.gov/economic-development/business-assistance/small-business/

Additional Resources and Information.

Financial Resources

Several financial resources exist for small businesses in San Diego. However, loans are not generally available to start-ups.  Most loan programs require that businesses have at least one year of history.

Loan Programs

CDC Small Business Finance Corporation
Tel: (619) 291-3594, Fax: (619) 291-6954

California Southern Small Business Development Corp./State of California Loan Guarantee Program

Tel: (619) 232-7771, Fax: (619) 232-6743

Micro Loans

ACCION San Diego (requires at least six months of business operation)

Tel: (619) 685-1380, Fax: (619) 685-1470
www.accion.org

Business Loans

City of San Diego, Community & Economic Development Dept. Business Finance Section

600 B Street, 4th Floor
San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 533-7408
www.sandiego.gov/

Matching Grant Programs

Storefront Improvement Program

City of San Diego

Office of Small Business

Tel: (619) 685-1390, Fax (619) 685-1391

www.sandiego.gov

Certification and Contracting Opportunities

Certification for City ContractsCity of San Diego Contract Services,

Equal Opportunity Contracting Program

1010 Second Ave., 5th Floor

San Diego, CA 92101

Tel: (619) 533-4464, Fax: (619) 533-4474