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

  • Attorney/Legal Services  
Building and Construction Permits
city

Required for all new and remodeling construction


applies to:
Attorney/Legal Services

City of San Jose
Building Department
200 East Santa Clara Street, Tower, First Floor
San Jose, CA, 95113
Phone: 408-535-3555
Fax: 408-292-6214
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:
You can find Business Tax applications and other information on the San City of San Jose website.

applies to:
Attorney/Legal Services

City of San Jose
Finance Department
200 E. Santa Clara St.
San Jose, CA, 95113
Phone: 408-535-7055
Fax: 408-292-6482
website
For Office Locations... application
Fire Prevention Information/Inspection
city

Businesses may be subject to a yearly inspection of facility - annual fee may be charged.


applies to:
Attorney/Legal Services

City of San Jose
Fire Department
Code Enforcement
1661 Senter Road
San Jose, CA, 95112
Phone: 408-794-6950
website
For Office Locations... application
Land Use Permit/Zoning Clearance
city

Example: zone change, variance, conditional use permit. Required if business located within incorporated city limits.


applies to:
Attorney/Legal Services

City of San Jose
Planning Department
200 East Santa Clara Street
San Jose, CA, 95113
Phone: 408-535-3555
Fax: 408-292-6055
website
For Office Locations... application
Special Permits/Licenses
city

The city police department issues special permits/licenses for burglar alarms, massage/adult businesses, peddlers, second-hand dealers, pawnbrokers, places of entertainment, solicitors, taxicabs, etc.- requirements vary from city to city


applies to:
Attorney/Legal Services

City of San Jose
Police Department
Permits Unit
201 West Mission St.
San Jose, CA, 95110
Phone: 408-277-4452
website
For Office Locations... application
Business Property Statement
county

Businesses are required to report all equipment, fixtures, supplies and leasehold improvements held for business use.

agency note:
Property Statements are due January 1 of each year

applies to:
Attorney/Legal Services

County of Santa Clara
Business Division
70 West Hedding Street
East Wing, 5th Floor
San Jose, CA, 95110
Phone: 408-299-5400
Fax: 408-298-9441
website
For Office Locations... application
Fictitious Business Name - Doing Business As Statement
county

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:
Attorney/Legal Services

County of Santa Clara
County Clerk-Recorder
70 West Hedding, East Wing 1st Floor
San Jose, CA, 95110
Phone: 408-299-5688
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:
Attorney/Legal Services

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 (DFEH162) 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:
Attorney/Legal Services

Department of Fair Employment and Housing
2218 Kausen Drive, Suite 100
Elk Grove, CA, 95758
Phone: 916-478-7251
website
For Office Locations... application
License to Practice Law
state

Must be licensed to practice law in California


applies to:
Attorney/Legal Services

State Bar of California
Office of Admissions
180 Howard Street
San Francisco, CA, 94105
Phone: 415-538-2000
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/Certifications may be required for compliance with Health & 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:
Attorney/Legal Services

Department of Industrial Relations
Employee Safety Information
1515 Clay St., Ste. 16-22A
Oakland, CA, 94612
Phone: 510-286-1066
Fax: 510-286-1087
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:
Attorney/Legal Services

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:
Attorney/Legal Services

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:
Attorney/Legal Services

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:
Attorney/Legal Services

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
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:
Attorney/Legal Services

Department of Industrial Relations
Division of Workers' Compensation
100 Paso de San Antonio
Room 241
San Jose, CA, 95113
Phone: 408-277-1246
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:
Attorney/Legal Services

U.S. Department of Treasury
Internal Revenue Service
55 South Market Street
San Jose, CA, 95113
Phone: 800-829-1040
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.

agency note:
All U.S. employers must complete and retain a Form I-9 for each individual they hire for employment in the United States. This includes citizens and noncitizens.

applies to:
Attorney/Legal Services

U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service
San Jose Field Office
1450 Coleman Avenue
Santa Clara, CA, 95050
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 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:
Provides services in northern Santa Clara and southern San Mateo counties

applies to:
Attorney/Legal Services

Silicon Valley Small Business Development Center
100 East Santa Clara St., First Floor
San Jose, CA, 95113
Phone: 408-351-3600
website
Resource for Business Assistance Programs

Resource for information on the City of San Jose's business assistance programs, including financial assistance, employee recruitment, and entrepreneurship training.


applies to:
Attorney/Legal Services

City of San Jose
Office of Economic Development
200 East Santa Clara Street
San Jose, CA, 95113
Phone: 408-535-3500
Fax: 408-294-9337
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:
Attorney/Legal Services

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)

Provides 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:
Attorney/Legal Services

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