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BUSINESS LICENSE INFORMATION |
THE CITY OF SANTA MARIA
WELCOMES YOU TO THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY
Free Assistance for New and Existing Businesses
Sin Costo Alguno por la Asistencia a Negocios Nuevos y Existentes
City staff is pleased that you have selected Santa Maria for your business enterprise. Department of Administrative Services' staff is here to assist you through the business
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Questions are often asked on what is required for starting a business in the City of Santa Maria. This website should be helpful in providing some insight on things that you need to do when starting a business. The information is not all inclusive and additional inquiries should be directed to the Finance Division, Business License at (805) 925-0951 extension 422. If you wish to visit the office in person, the Finance Division is located at 110 E. Cook Street, Room 6, Santa Maria, CA, 93454. Office hours are 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Why was a business license tax enacted?
Why is a business license required?
A business license tax was enacted for the intent of regulating certain businesses and raising revenue for municipal purposes. Revenue received from the business license tax is deposited into the City's General Fund and is used to support City services such as police, fire and public works services.
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Business licenses are required for the following reasons:
| • To assist orderly business development; • To ensure compliance with land-use and building regulations; • To facilitate planning decisions. |
Who is required to have a business license?
How to apply for a business license.
Step 1:
Step 2:
Step 3:
For information regarding the cost of obtaining a business license, please contact the Department of Administrative Services, Finance Division at (805) 925-0951 extension 422.
How long is a business license valid?
If your business is located outside the City limits, but business will be conducted within the City limits, it is required that you obtain a business license prior to commencing business. Submit the completed business license application to the Finance Division and pay the business license application fee and tax. You may contact the Finance Division at (805) 925-0951 extension 422 and staff will calculate the business license fee for your type of business.
The City regulates certain types of businesses located within City limits. Prior to issuance of a business license, the following types of businesses require approval by various City departments and/or City Council. The approval process may take several weeks to complete.
A business license is required for all business transacted in the City, unless specifically exempted in the Santa Maria Municipal Code. A separate business license must be obtained for each branch, establishment, location, and type of business as established in the Santa Maria Municipal Code.
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Complete the Business License Application and the Storm Water Form and bring both to the City.. If you prefer, you may have a business license application faxed or mailed to you by contacting (805) 925-0951 extension 422.
Submit the completed business license application to the Community Development Department, Planning Division. The Planning Division is located at 110 S. Pine Street, Suite 101, Santa Maria, CA 93458. Community Development staff may be contacted at (805) 925-0951 extension 244.
To assure that the type of business license you are applying for is permitted use in the proposed location the business license application will be reviewed for zoning verification.
If zoning is approved, a building inspection may be scheduled to verify that your business location is in compliance with health and safety regulations. Tenant improvements and new construction should be completed prior to the date your business is scheduled for inspection.
At the time you submit your application, fees will be due for zoning, inspection, and certificate of occupancy. Although, you may choose to pay the business license application fee and tax at this time, the business license application fee and tax is not required at the time you submit your business license application.
A business license application fee and tax is required to be paid prior to the opening of business. The business license application fee and tax may be paid at the Finance Division (110 E. Cook St., Room 6 - Business Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.) or at Community Development (110 S. Pine St., Suite 101 - Business Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.). The business license will be mailed to you approximately one week after all requirements have been met and fees have been paid.
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A business license expires at the end of the 12th month following the first day that the business is scheduled to open for business.
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| • Entertainment (Good Neighbor Ordinance- see requirements) • Parades |
• Taxicabs • Closing Out Sales • Bingo • Special Events |
• Itinerant Shows (Good Neighbor Ordinance- see requirements) |
The following businesses require a police background investigation. The investigation may take up to 45 days to complete. For further information regarding the process for police background investigations contact the Santa Maria Police Department, Record Bureau at 925-0951 extension 359.
| • Photographers • Peddlers/Solicitors |
• Fortunetellers • Massage Therapist |
Contractor Information
If you are a contractor, you must have a valid California Contractor's License. To verify that your State Contractor's license is valid you may contact: the Contractor's State License Board at (800) 321-2752 or visit the Contractor's State License Board website at: http://www.cslb.ca.gov.
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