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Business permits and other requirements in the City of San Francisco (San Francisco County) for business types:

Building Inspection and Alteration Permits
city

Permits for modifying the physical space of your business.


applies to:
Restaurant

City/County of San Francisco
Department of Building Inspection
1660 Mission Street
San Francisco, CA, 94103
Phone: 415-558-6570
Fax: 415-558-6261
website
For Office Locations... application
Business License - Business Tax Certificate
city

Required for all entities doing business within city limits. See "County Unincorporated" for businesses located outside of city limits.

agency note:
Check with this office to see if your business requires a Parking Tax Registration or a Hotel Tax Registration form.

applies to:
Restaurant

City/County of San Francisco
Treasurer & Tax Collector
1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, Room 140
San Francisco, CA, 94102
Phone: 415-701-2311
website
For Office Locations... application
Business Property Statement
city

Businesses may be required to report all equipment, fixtures, supplies, and leasehold improvements held for business use based on at cost and/or value.


applies to:
Restaurant

City of San Francisco
Office of the Assessor-Recorder
1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place
Room 190
San Francisco, CA, 94103
Phone: 415-554-5596
Fax: 415-554-7915
website
For Office Locations... application
Fictitious Business Name - Doing Business As Statement
city

A Fictitious Business Name (FBN) or Doing Business As (DBA) statement is required when the business name does not include the surname of the individual owner(s) and each of the partners; or the business name suggests the existence of additional owners; or the nature of the business in not clearly evident by the name of the business. For example Bill Smith and Sons Plumbing would require a FBN because the name implies additional owners, Bill Smith Plumbing does not require a FBN. Bill Smith Industries would require a FBN because it does not identify the nature of the business.


applies to:
Restaurant

City of San Francisco
San Francisco County Clerk's Office
Treasurer-Tax Collector
1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Pl.
Room 168
San Francisco, CA, 94102
Phone: 415-554-4950
website
For Office Locations... application
Fire Department Permit
city

For public assemblies, garages, storage, service stations, theaters, hazardous chemicals or gases, etc.

agency note:
Handles permits/licensing information for County and City of San Francisco.

applies to:
Restaurant

City/County of San Francisco
Fire Department
698 - 2nd Street
San Francisco, CA, 94107
Phone: 415-558-3300
Fax: 415-558-3323
website
For Office Locations... application
Health Permit
city

For food preparation and service, food product and marketing, laundries, etc. This office provides information and referral to District Health Centers for application.


applies to:
Restaurant

City/County of San Francisco
Department of Public Health
Environmental Health
1390 Market Street, Room 210
San Francisco, CA, 94102
Phone: 415-252-3800
website
For Office Locations... application
Industrial Wastewater Discharge Permit
city

May be required if a facility discharges a hazardous material into the sewer.


applies to:
Restaurant

City/County of San Francisco
Public Utilities Commission
Bureau of Environmental Regulations and Management
1155 Market St
San Francisco, CA, 94103
Phone: 415-554-3155
website
For Office Locations... application
Police Regulations/Public Safety Permit
city

For billiard parlors, dance halls, places of entertainment, massage parlors, peddlers, taxicabs, valet parking, second-hand dealers, etc.

agency note:
Handles permit/licensing information for County and City of San Francisco.

applies to:
Restaurant

City/County of San Francisco
Police Department
850 Bryant Street Room 440
San Francisco, CA, 94103
Phone: 415-734-3280
website
For Office Locations... application
Weights and Measures
city

Businesses using scales, fuel pumps, electronic or manual price lookup scanner devices, or other measuring devices must ensure proper calibration and pass inspections.


applies to:
Restaurant

City and County of San Francisco
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
1390 Market Street Suite 210
San Francisco , CA, 94102
Phone: 415-252-3884
website
For Office Locations... application
Zoning and Planning
city

Your business location must be checked to determine if it is zoned for your type of business. This also applies to businesses operating from a residence.


applies to:
Restaurant

City/County of San Francisco
Planning Department
1660 Mission Street, Suite 400
San Francisco, CA, 94103
Phone: 415-558-6377
website
For Office Locations... application
Authority to Construct/Permit to Operate
regional

Required if any person constructs, alters, replaces or operates any units that emit, may emit, or may reduce air emissions within the Region. An Authority to Construct must be obtained before building or installing a new emissions unit or modifying an existing emissions unit that requires a permit. A Permit to Operate is issued after all construction is completed and the emission unit is ready for operation. A permit is required for any sanding, coating, painting or the venting of vessels into the air. In addition, a Portable Equipment Registration is needed for any portable welders (over 50-hp) you operate (i.e. welding shops).


applies to:
Restaurant

AQMD (Air Quality Management District): Bay Area
Permit Services
939 Ellis Street
San Francisco, CA, 94109
Phone: 415-771-6000
Fax: 415-928-8560
website
For Office Locations... application
Alcoholic Beverage License
state

Any person or entity seeking to sell alcoholic beverages must be licensed. Apply for the license in person and allow a minimum of 45 to 50 days to process the application. The law precludes issuance in less than 30 days.


applies to:
Restaurant

Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control
Licensing
3927 Lennane Drive, Suite 100
Sacramento, CA, 95834
Phone: 916-419-2500
Fax: 916-419-2599
website
For Office Locations... application
Alcoholic Beverage Tax
state

Entities selling, manufacturing, importing or distributing alcoholic beverages must register


applies to:
Restaurant

Department of Tax and Fee Administration
Special Taxes Department
PO Box 942879
Sacramento, CA, 94279
Phone: 800-400-7115
website
For Office Locations... application
Corporation, Company or Partnership Filings
state

If you are considering becoming a corporation, (either stock or nonprofit), a limited liability company or a partnership (limited, or limited liability), you must file with the Secretary of State's Office.

agency note:
Also, if you are conducting business as one of the following, you must file a bond with the Secretary of State's Office: immigration consultant, credit services organization, dance studio, discount buying organization, employment agency, employment counseling service, invention developer, job listing service, nurses registry, or auctioneer or auction company.

applies to:
Restaurant

Secretary of State
1500 11th Street
Sacramento, CA, 95814
Phone: 916-657-5448
website
For Office Locations... application
Discrimination Law
state

Harassment or discrimination in employment is prohibited if it is based on a person's race, ancestry, national origin, color, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, religion, physical disability (including AIDS), mental disability, marital status, medical condition (cured cancer), and refusal of family care leave. Discrimination in housing, public services and accommodations is also prohibited.

agency note:
Employers must post the Harassment or Discrimination in Employment notice (DFEH 162) and provide their employees with a copy of the DFEH's information sheet on sexual harassment (DFEH 185) or a statement that contains equivalent information. Employers must also provide notice of an employee's right to request pregnancy disability leave or transfer, as well as notice to request a family and medical care leave (CFRA). Employers with 5 or more employees must maintain all personnel records for a minimum of 2 years.

applies to:
Restaurant

Department of Fair Employment and Housing
2218 Kausen Drive, Suite 100
Elk Grove, CA, 95758
Phone: 916-478-7251
website
For Office Locations... application
Industrial Activities Storm Water General Permit
state

National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) General Permit No. CAS000001 includes waste discharge requirements for discharges of storm water associated with industrial activities, excluding construction activities.


applies to:
Restaurant

Cal/EPA
Water Resources Control Board
1001 I Street
Sacramento, CA, 95814
Phone: 916-341-5455
website
For Office Locations... application
Occupational Safety and Health Information
state

Businesses with employees must prepare an Injury and Illness Prevention Plan. The state provides a no-fee consultation service to assist employers with preventing unsafe working conditions and workplace hazards.

agency note:
Certain Permits/Licenses/Certificates may be required for compliance with Health and Safety Standards. General Industry Safety Order, Carcinogen regulations and Construction Safety orders I.e. excavation/trenching, asbestos related work, crane/derrick operation, air/liquid-petroleum gas tanks, etc.

applies to:
Restaurant

Department of Industrial Relations
Cal/OSHA
455 Golden Gate Avenue, Room 9516
San Francisco, CA, 94102
Phone: 415-557-0100
Fax: 415-557-0123
website
For Office Locations... application
Registration Form for Employers
state

Required to file a registration form within 15 days after paying more than $100.00 in wages to one or more employees. No distinction is made between full-time and part-time or permanent and temporary employees in meeting this requirement.


applies to:
Restaurant

Employment Development Department
Employment Tax Customer Service Office
P.O. Box 2068
Rancho Cordova, CA, 95741
Phone: 888-745-3886
website
For Office Locations... application
Sales & Use Permit (Seller's Permit)
state

All businesses selling or leasing tangible property must obtain a Seller's Permit.

agency note:
For Additional information about RESALE CERTIFICATE go to this website: www.boe.ca.gov/sutax/faqresale.htm

applies to:
Restaurant

Department of Tax and Fee Administration
Sales/Use Tax Division
PO Box 942879
Sacramento, CA, 94279
Phone: 800-400-7115
website
For Office Locations... application
State Income Tax Information
state

Businesses should obtain the appropriate State income tax forms from the Franchise Tax Board.

agency note:
All businesses are required to submit a Business Income Tax statement annually.

applies to:
Restaurant

Franchise Tax Board
Business Entities Division
PO Box 1468
Sacramento, CA, 95812
Phone: 800-338-0505
website
For Office Locations... application
Wage/Hour Laws
state

Businesses with employees must comply with laws establishing minimum standards for wages, hours and working conditions.


applies to:
Restaurant

Department of Industrial Relations
Labor Commissioner's Office
1515 Clay Street, STE 401, Oakland, CA, 94612
Oakland, CA, 94612
Phone: 510-285-3502
Fax: 510-286-1366
website
For Office Locations... application
Waste Discharge Requirements (WDR's)
state

Any facility or activity that discharges, or proposes to discharge, waste that may affect groundwater quality or from which waste may be discharged in a diffused manner (e.g., erosion from soil disturbance) must first obtain waste discharge requirements


applies to:
Restaurant

Cal/EPA
Water Resources Control Board
1001 I Street
Sacramento, CA, 95814
Phone: 916-341-5455
website
For Office Locations... application
Workers' Compensation Information
state

Businesses with employees must maintain Workers' Compensation Insurance coverage on either a self-insured basis, or provided through a commercial carrier, or the State Workers' Compensation Insurance Fund.


applies to:
Restaurant

Department of Industrial Relations
Division of Workers' Compensation
455 Golden Gate Avenue, 2nd Floor
San Francisco, CA, 94102
Phone: 415-703-5020
website
For Office Locations... application
Employer Identification Number (EIN or SSN)
federal

Employers with employees, business partnerships, and corporations, must obtain an Employer Identification Number from the I.R.S. Businesses can obtain appropriate Federal income tax forms from this location.

agency note:
Additional office locations: http://www.irs.gov/uac/Contact-My-Local-Office-in-California

applies to:
Restaurant

U.S. Department of Treasury
Internal Revenue Service
450 Golden Gate Avenue, 1st Floor
San Francisco, CA, 94102
Phone: 415-553-8990
website
For Office Locations... application
Proof of Residency Requirement
federal

Employees hired after November 6, 1986 must provide proof of eligibility to work in the United States.


applies to:
Restaurant

U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service
San Francisco Field Office
444 Washington Street
San Francisco, CA, 94111
Phone: 800-375-5283
website
For Office Locations... application
Filter Permits & Licenses
Level of Government:
Consulting Training and Financial Assistance

May be used for business assistance information and answers to basic business questions. Business owners can utilize consultant's and information resources to examine new business opportunities, to develop financial or marketing skills, or to evaluate virtually any part of their business.

agency note:
Information on loans, counseling, and training.

applies to:
Restaurant

County of San Francisco
Small Business Administration - SBA
455 Market Street, 6th Floor
San Francisco, CA, 94105
Phone: 415-744-6820
website
SCORE - Counselors to America's Small Business

The SCORE Association, supported by SBA, is a nonprofit association of thousands of volunteer business counselors throughout the U.S. and its territories. SCORE members are trained to serve as counselors, advisers and mentors to aspiring entrepreneurs and business owners.


applies to:
Restaurant

SCORE - Counselors to America's Small Business
455 Market Street
San Francisco, CA, 94105
Phone: 415-744-6827
Fax: 415-744-6750
website
U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)

The SBA renders assistance with special programs for women and minorities, financing for starting businesses, including developing business plans and providing information on other SBA programs.


applies to:
Restaurant

Small Business Development Center (SBDC)
Washington Office Center
409 3rd Street, S.W. Suite 6400
Washington, DC, 20416
Phone: 202-205-6766
Fax: 202-205-7727
website
U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)

The SBA renders assistance with special programs for women and minorities, financing for starting businesses, including developing business plans and providing information on other SBA programs.

agency note:
The SBA renders assistance with special programs for women and minorities, financing for starting businesses, including developing business plans and providing information on other SBA programs.

applies to:
Restaurant

U.S. Small Business Administration
San Francisco District Office
455 Market Street, Suite 600
San Francisco, CA, 94105
Phone: 415-744-6820
website