ZONING  |  DBA  |  RESALE PERMIT  |  TAX ID  |  BUSINESS LICENSE

STEP #1 ZONING

Contact Castaic’s Land Use Committee and make sure the zoning is correct for your new business address.

• Every business must meet zoning requirements and restrictions to insure that it’s 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.

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STEP #2 DBA

File a fictitious id statement and file your “doing business as” id in a local newspaper.

• If you use your initials or first and middle id along with your last id in the id of your business, you do not need to file for a fictitious id. If you use just your initials, first id or last id you need to file for a fictitious id. If you use Sons or Company, you must file for a fictitious id. If you use any id other than your legal, given id or initials, you will have to file a fictitious id.
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• Prior to filing a fictitious id statement, it is recommended that you call the Los Angeles County Clerk’s Office and determine if your business id is already in use.
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• To file a fictitious id statement, you must contact the local newspaper. The paper will file your DBA statement with the Angeles County Clerk’s office and publish your new business id.

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STEP #3 RESALE PERMIT

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, you must have a resale permit for whatever parts or supplies are purchased at wholesale for later resale.
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• If your business will have any employees other than yourself, contact the Employment Development Department for information on state withholding taxes, disability and unemployment insurance.
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• For businesses employing only the owners, contact the Franchise Tax Board for state withholding and corporation state taxes.

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STEP #4 TAX ID

• Contact the internal Revenue Service (IRS) for your employer identification number. The IRS will also provide’ a “business person’s kit,” seminars new businesses, additional information and required forms.
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• Contact the Small Business Administration for financial and management training to assist you in your business operations.

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STEP #5 BUSINESS LICENSE

Business License:

The County of Los Angeles is under contract with the City of Santa Clarita to provide business licenses and peddler/ solicitor permit services. Therefore until otherwise notified, all applications for business licenses and peddler solicitor permits are handled by Los Angeles County Treasurer 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 to 3:30 p.m. . They are closed for lunch between 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.

A) If you have followed the first four steps, you should be able to supply County with the following information for a business license:

• Business address approved by City’s Planning Department.
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• Fictitious id and any County or State permits.
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• State resale permit number from the State Board of Equalization if required.

B) Depending on the type of business you plan to conduct, you may required to have:

• Health Permit
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• Fire Inspection
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• Contractor’s License
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• Building Permits
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• An Alcoholic Beverage Permit

C) When filing for a license, you will need the following information to complete the license:

• Your business id and address,
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• Your business telephone number,
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• Description of your business,
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• number of employees on staff
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• The property owner’s id and the telephone number of the person to contact in case of an emergency
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• The id, address, and telephone numbers of any contractors who will be involved in the operation of your business (i.e., gardener, janitorial service, consultants, etc.)
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• Your Social Security number or your Federal I.D. number,
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• Your State Employee LD. number
  bullet Your Driver’s License number

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