Santa Cruz County Clerk
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.
City of Capitola |
420 Capitola Avenue, Capitola |
(831) 475-7300 |
City of Santa Cruz |
809 Center Street, Room 101, Santa Cruz |
(831) 420-5070 |
City of Scotts Valley |
1 Civic Center Drive, Scotts Valley |
(831) 438-2324 |
City of Watsonville |
250 Main Street, Watsonville |
(831) 768-3455 |
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:
Business Type |
County Department |
Phone |
Address/Room |
Day Care |
Community Care Licensing |
(408)-277-1286 |
|
Security Company |
Sheriff's Office |
831/454-3042 |
Room 340 |
Taxi Cab |
Sheriff's Office |
831/454-3042 |
Room 340 |
Food Establishments |
Environmental Health |
831/454-2022 |
Room 312 |
Hazardous Materials/Waste (Storage/Use) |
Environmental Health |
831/454-2022 |
Room 312 |
Kennels |
Environmental Health |
831/454-2022 |
Room 312 |
Public Pools/Spas/Camps |
Environmental Health |
831/454-2022 |
Room 312 |
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 11th 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 11th 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 3rd 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 40th 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.
Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development business.ca.gov
The Secretary of State website, CalGOLD.ca.gov, will provide: