Regulatory Guide – Home Business

• Overview
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
• Permit Process
• Establishing a Web Presence
• Agency Resource Directory

Overview

Starting a home business is easy in Sonoma County. The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors appointed a task force in 1993 to develop a countywide program to address the needs and facilitate the operation of appropriate home-based businesses. The Sonoma County Home Team, a public/private partnership, was formed to provide a forum for the home-based business community and support these entrepreneurs, based on these facts about Sonoma County:

• One-fourth of all new businesses are home-based
• 65% of home-based businesses earn more than $30,000 annually
• Santa Rosa was ranked 8th in the nation by the Wall Street Journal for supporting the most home-based businesses
• More than 10,000 home-based businesses are thriving in Sonoma County

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Do I need a business license?

   A license to operate a home business is required in all incorporated cities and handled through the local city hall. If you live in an unincorporated area of Sonoma County, you do not need a license. To find out whether your home is located within an incorporated area, contact the city hall of the town nearest you.

2. Do I need to register the name of my home business?

   If you choose a name that does not include your own last name, you should contact the Sonoma County Clerk’s office to file a Fictitious Business Name Statement. The Clerk’s office is located at 2300 County Center Drive in Santa Rosa or call (707) 565-3800 for an application.

3. Do I need a zoning permit to conduct business from my home?

   Most residential areas in Sonoma County require a zoning permit for home-based businesses. Contact the planning department at your local city hall for assistance and to learn what regulations or restrictions may apply to your particular business.

4. What other business requirements should I consider before starting a home business?

   • Decide on a legal structure to determine what is the most advantageous for you and your business: sole proprietorship, partnership, limited liability partnership, or your preferred tax and reporting structure.
   • Consider whether you want to establish a mailing address for your business separate from your home address, track your own income and expenses or hire a professional, and install additional telephone and fax lines.
   • Develop your business identity by printing letterhead and business cards, set up an e-mail address and/or web site, and network with community organizations that allow you to meet and talk with potential business clients.

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Permit Process

Permit Information and Other Resources

The following information is subject to change. Always contact the city hall nearest you to determine what rules and regulations might apply to your home business. For contact information, go to Municipal Planning Departments in the Agency Resource Directory under Land Use and Development.

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