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Business Assistance Guide – License, Permits and Regulations
Most land use development projects require at least one approval from local, state or federal planning agencies including small businesses (defined as fewer than 15 employees), one-person offices and home businesses. Some projects may also require some degree of environmental review. You must determine what regulations apply to your business. Local resources are available to help you. Operating without the proper permits or licenses or failure to file specific forms can lead to violations and fines.
An effort has been made at all levels of government in California to simplify and consolidate the permitting and licensing process as much as possible. This does not mean that you can go to only one of these centers and take care of all the paperwork that may affect your business. But you should be able to obtain the correct applications for that jurisdiction and receive referrals to additional local, regional, state or federal agencies.
Business Licenses
The State of California does not require or issue business licenses for sole proprietorships or general partnerships. Other business structures, however, must register with the state. All businesses located in an incorporated city in Sonoma County must first obtain a business license from that city. The county does not require a business license to do business within its unincorporated areas, but all fictitious business names must be registered with the Sonoma County Clerk. Generally, this registration would apply if:
- an individual is doing business under a name other than their own
- the name suggests the existence of additional owners
- the name does not include the surname of each general partner.
The following resource can be of help.
- Business.Gov: Professional and Business License Handbook. State agencies, departments, and offices responsible for processing and monitoring state-mandated licensing requirements are included with addresses and phone numbers.
- 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.
- SCORE: Deals with basic legal issues.
If you plan to operate a business under a name other than your own, a fictitious name statement is required in Sonoma County. Forms and information are online or call (707) 565-3700.