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Business Assistance Guide – Location, Location, Location
Where you decide to locate your business is one of the most important decisions you will make. Regulations, licenses, permits, filings, zoning, and other factors will affect any Sonoma County site at which you choose to operate your business. Whether you plan a one-person office operated out of your home, a produce stand in an unincorporated area, or retail or service outlet, certain guidelines and procedures must be followed to ensure that you meet legal requirements that allow you to operate successfully.
Planning and Zoning
Sonoma County has nine incorporated cities that decide issues affecting your location within their city limits. Throughout the county’s unincorporated areas, many locations are affected by regulations that govern land use and development, protection of the environment and factors such as water quality. Local, regional and state boards and regulatory agencies can all impact the type of business you plan to operate in a particular location.
Choosing a Location
- Association of Bay Area Governments: The Association of Bay Area Governments includes links to Sonoma County city governments of Cloverdale, Cotati, Healdsburg, Petaluma, Rohnert Park, Santa Rosa, Sebastopol, Sonoma, and Windsor for business licenses and permit information.
Home-Based Businesses
Usually require a license from the local government agency where your business is based. Contact the municipality/city hall nearest you. If you live in an unincorporated area, contact the County of Sonoma.
- IRS: Tax information for small businesses.
- WorkingSolo: Information about creating and working in your own environment.
Quality of Life
Sonoma County residents and businesses most often name "quality of life" as the number one reason they choose to locate here. In order to protect and preserve the factors that allow the county to attract and maintain this desirable feature, development is regulated and assessed for its impact on the environment and lifestyle.
- Sonoma County Library: Hosted by the Sonoma County Library System, it provides information on local community resources including businesses, media outlets and area towns.
- Press Democrat: The Sonoma County local daily newspaper based in Santa Rosa.
- CalChamber: A list of local chambers of commerce with links and contact information.
- Association of Bay Area Governments: The Association of Bay Area Governments hosts a directory of official San Francisco Bay Area local government websites with links to Sonoma County and demographic and economic information.
- Sonoma County: Sponsored by the Sonoma County Tourism Bureau.
- Sonoma.com: A complete list of Sonoma County chambers of commerce and visitors centers, along with an event calendar and things to do.
Single Projects, Multiple Jurisdictions
Some seemingly simple projects may require a variety of local, state or federal permits and approvals. Sonoma County is divided between agency jurisdictions in the areas of air and water quality regulations that may overlap with Bay Area agencies. You may have to apply to multiple agencies that regulate land use and development in order to operate your business.
Some businesses require a combination of local, regional, state, and federal permits and approval. Make sure to check for overlapping regulations.
California Permit Assistance
- CalGOLD: Provides businesses with information on permits and other requirements of California agencies at all levels of government.
Environmental Protection Agency
- California Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): This California agency may need to review and approve your permit application.
State Water Resources Control Board
- California State Water Resources Control Board: This agency may require additional permits and a regional office is located in Santa Rosa.