Santa Cruz County Clerk
Business Information/Contacts

Fictitious Business Names Statements:

The Santa Cruz County Clerk files and maintains Fictitious Business Name Statements filed in Santa Cruz County.

Business Licenses:

Businesses located in or conducting a portion of their business within any of the four (4) cities in Santa Cruz County should contact that city regarding the requirements for a business license.

Open Counter for the City of Santa Cruz

Click here for a website that will guide you through the business permitting process for the City of Santa Cruz

Business Permits:

Businesses operating in the unincorporated areas of Santa Cruz County should contact the County Planning Dept., Room 400, or call 831-454-2130, regarding requirements for operating a business in those areas of the county.

It is recommended that you contact the County Planning Department to determine if a permit is required prior to the operation of your business. Home-based businesses may require a Home-Occupation permit. The most common businesses that require special permits from County Departments are as follows:

Zoning Regulations:

Before commencing business you should contact the Zoning Department, Room 400 or call 831-454-2130, to make sure your location is zoned to do your particular type of business. Zoning regulations for the unincorporated areas are obtained from the County Planning Dept., at 70l Ocean Street, Room 400, Santa Cruz, CA 95060. Apply at the Zoning Counter. Telephone: 831-454-2130.

Sellers/Resale License:

State Board of Equalization
Telephone: (800) 432-2829 or (800) 400-7115
250 South Second Street, San Jose, Ca 95113
(408) 277-1231 / Web page: www.boe.ca.gov

Contractor's License:

State Board of Contractors
9821 Business Park Drive
Sacramento, CA 95827-1703
Post Office Box 26000
Sacramento, CA 95826
(800) 321-2752 / Web page: www.cslb.ca.gov

State Website with useful information: CalGOLD.ca.gov

Small Business Administration:

For Small business assistance, you may contact your local Chamber of Commerce.

Aptos Chamber of Commerce (831) 688-1467
Capitola Chamber of Commerce (831) 475-6522
Santa Cruz Chamber of Commerce (831) 457-3713
Scotts Valley Chamber of Commerce (831) 438-1010
Watsonville Chamber of Commerce (831) 724-3900
US SBA Answer Desk (800) 268-2678
US SBA Technical Support Line (202) 205-6400 for SBA's computer bulletin board

Corporations/Limited Partnership(s/Limited Liability Companies):

Secretary of State Telephone: (916) 657-5448
1500 11^th Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
Web page: www.sos.ca.gov

Non-Profit:

If an organization or business wishes to obtain a Non-Profit Status, contact the Registry of Charitable Trusts,
Secretary of State
1500 11^th Street
Sacramento, CA 95814.
Telephone: (916) 445-2021 or (916) 653-3365
Web page: www.caag.state.ca.us/charities

Tax Information:

Internal Revenue Service - Federal
Call toll free: (800) 829-3676 (Forms only)
or (800) 829-4477 (Telex tax information)

Franchise Tax Board - State
96 N 3^rd Street
San Jose, CA 95113
Call Toll free: (800) 338-0505 (Forms)
or (800) 852-5711 (Telex tax Information)
Monday thru Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Employment Tax Information:

For information on Disability Insurance Tax, State Withholding Tax, and Unemployment Tax Contact:
California Employment Tax District Office
2045 40^th Ave.,
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
Telephone: (831) 464-6307

Copyright/Patent/Trade Marks/Service Marks

Copyright Office - Federal
Copyright Office - Library of Congress
U.S. Copyright Office
101 Independence Ave. S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20559-6000
(877) 476-0778 (toll free)
Web Page:www.copyright.gov

Patent/Trade Marks/Service Marks - Federal
Crystal Park 2
SE 2121 Crystal Drive
Arlington, VA 22202
(800) 786-9199 (toll free) and (571) 272-9950 (TTY) Web Page:www.uspto.gov

Additional Information Sites:

• California Codes On-Line (i.e. Business and Professions Code): www.leginfo.ca.gov/calaw.html

• Secretary of State on-Line: www.sos.ca.gov to search for business filings for corporations, Limited Partnerships, Limited Liability Companies.

  1. Click on Business Entities.
  2. Click on Business Search.

• Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development business.ca.gov

• The Secretary of State website, CalGOLD.ca.gov, will provide:

  1. Information on State permits and business requirements.
  2. Business Resources - click Business Entities, click Business Resources. Lists other agencies a business may need to contact to ensure proper compliance.
  3. Information on service mark, trademark and trade name and related code sections.
  4. Information regarding corporation, Limited Liability Companies, Limited Liability Partnerships, Limited Partnerships and related code sections.

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