Example: zone change, variance, conditional use permit. Required if business located within incorporated city limits.
agency note: A City business license is not required in Santa Clarita. However all businesses operating within the City are required to register annually. In addition to the registration certain business types are required to obtain a Business License from Los Angeles County. These include businesses which are regulated by the Fire, Health and Sheriff Departments.
applies to: Cottage Food Operation
Required for all entities doing business within city limits. See "County Unincorporated" for businesses located outside of city limits.
agency note: Required only for certain specified businesses in the cities of Agoura Hills, Calabasas, Daimond Bar, Malibu, Santa Clarita and Westlake Village. Call to determine whether your business type requires a license.
Class A CFOs may sell cottage foods directly from their homes, certified farmers' markets, bake sales, and community events. Class A operations will be required to complete a self-certification process and obtain an annual registration from the County Environmental Health Department.
Class B CFOs will be required to obtain an annual permit from the County Environmental Health department and may be subject to inspection annually. In addition to direct sales from home, Class B operators are also permitted to sell cottage foods indirectly from local shops, restaurants and other third party sales
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.
agency note: Notes: Additional location: 14340 Sylvan Street, 1st Floor Van Nuys, CA 91401 818-374-7191 Name search can be completed on the Internet.
Cottage food products are required to be labeled in accordance with specific state and federal labeling regulations. This list of labeling requirements is intended to assist cottage food operations (CFOs) in complying with basic labeling laws and regulations.
agency note: Consult County for local labeling requirements
AB 1616 requires that any person who prepares or packages cottage food complete a food processor course within three months of becoming registered or permitted to retain as proof that you completed the required training. You must present a copy of this card or certificate for each person involved in preparing cottage foods to your local county enforcement agency upon their request, to verify that the training requirement has been completed.
agency note: Any person who prepares or packages cottage food must complete a food processor course within three months of becoming registered or permitted and every three years during operation. The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has identified training that you may take that will satisfy the training requirement specified in California Health and Safety Code section 114365.2(d).
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.
agency note: A CFO can only have ONE full-time equivalent employee (not counting family members or household members).
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
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.
Businesses with employees must comply with laws establishing minimum standards for wages, hours and working conditions.
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.
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: EIN Application Form (SS-4) can be obtained from local IRS or Social Security Offices. The San Fernando Valley IRS office is located at the Federal Building, 6230 Van Nuys Blvd., Van Nuys (1st Floor)
Employees hired after November 6, 1986 must provide proof of eligibility to work in the United States.
Frequently Asked Questions - FAQ
A Certified Farmers' Market sells certified produce that was produced by certified producers and/or non-certifiable products. Certifiable agricultural products include fresh fruits, nuts, vegetables, shell eggs, honey, flowers, and nursery stock. Non-certifiable agricultural products include all certified agricultural products that have been processed, livestock (including rabbits) and livestock products, fish and shellfish produced under controlled conditions in water or ponds located in California.
If you are interested in opening a Certified Farmers Market, or in becoming a Certified Producer, please contact the county office in which the market is located or in which you wish to sell your commodity.
County reference document for staring a cottage food operation.
This flowchart provides a general idea if a CFO needs a registration or permit.
All cottage food operators will have to meet specified requirements pursuant to the California Health and Safety Code related to preparing foods that are on the approved food list, completing a food processor training course within three months of registering, implementing sanitary operations, establishing state and federal compliant labels, and operating within established gross annual sales limits.
Cottage food products are required to be labeled in accordance with specific state and federal labeling regulations. The following list of labeling requirements is intended to assist cottage food operations (CFOs) in complying with basic labeling laws and regulations
Preguntas más frecuentes (PMF)
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.