Santa Cruz County Clerk / Elections
701 Ocean Street, Room 210
Santa Cruz, CA 95060-4076
Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

(831)-454-2470, TOLL FREE: (866)-282-5900
FAX :(831)-454-2445, TDD: (831)-454-2123
www.sccoclerk.com & www.votescount.com

BUSINESS INFORMATION

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAMES STATEMENTS:

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

BUSINESS LICENSES:

When a business is located in the unincorporated area of Santa Cruz County and a Fictitious Business Name Statement has been filed, no business license is required. However, if you go into the city to do your business, you must contact the city you are going into to do the business, to obtain a pro-rated Business License.

When a business is in the incorporated area of Santa Cruz County, contact the city where the business is located.

CITY OF CAPITOLA 420 Capitola Avenue, Capitola, CA (831) 475-7300
CITY OF SANTA CRUZ 809 Center Street, Room 107, Santa Cruz (831) 420-5070
CITY OF SCOTTS VALLEY 1 Civic Center Drive, Scotts Valley, CA (831) 438-2324
CITY OF WATSONVILLE 250 Main Street, Watsonville. CA (831) 728-6031

BUSINESS PERMITS:

Santa Cruz County has restrictions and requires permits for some businesses operating in the unincorporated areas.

Home-based businesses may require a home-occupancy permit. It is recommended that you contact the County Planning Department, Room 400, to determine if a permit is required prior to the operation of your business. 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 111 N Market St., Ste 300
San Jose, Ca 95113
Security Company Sheriff’s Office 454-3042 340
Taxi Cab Sheriff’s Office 454-3042 340
Food Establishments Environmental Health 454-2022 312
Hazardous Materials/Waste

(Storage/use)

Environmental Health 454-2022 312
Kennels Environmental Health 454-2022 312
Public Pools/Spas/Camps Environmental Health 454-2022 312

ZONING REGULATIONS:

Before obtaining your Business License from the City, proceed to the Zoning Department, Room 400 or call (831)-454-2580, 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)-454-2580.

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

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

HOME REPAIRS OF ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT:

All persons engaged in the business of repairing home electronic equipment, such as televisions, stereos, etc. and major home appliances, such as freezers, washers, etc., must register with the Bureau of Electronic & Appliance Repair. (Business & Professions Code §9802(g).

Department of Consumers Affairs
Bureau of Electronic & Appliance Repair Telephone: (800) 952-5210
400 R Street, #3080 or (916) 574-2069
Sacramento, CA 95814

INCORPORATING - LIMITED PARTNERSHIP(S)/LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANIES:
Secretary of State, Corporate Filing Division
1500 11th Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
Telephone: (916) 657-5448
Web page: www.ss.ca.gov

NON-PROFIT:

If an organization or business wishes to obtain a Non-Profit Status, please contact the Registry of Charitable Trusts, Secretary of State, 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

303 Water Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 (Forms only)
No local telephone service for the above address
Call toll free: (800) 829-3676. (Forms only)
or (800) 829-4477 (Telex tax information)

FRANCHISE TAX BOARDState
96 N 3rd Street
San Jose, CA 95113
Monday thru Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Call Toll free: 1 (800) 338-0505 (Forms)
or (800) 852-5711 (Telex tax Information)

IMPORT/EXPORT:

US CUSTOMS
33 New Montgomery St., 16th floor
San Francisco , CA 94105
Mailing Address : Same As Above
General Phone : (415) 744-1530 Ext: 221
General Fax : (415) 744-7005
Operational Hours : 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM ( Pacific )
Weekdays (Monday-Friday)
Website: www.cbp.gov

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
10 Independence Ave., SE
Washington, D.C. 20559-6000
Telephone: (916) 657-5448
Web page: www.uspto.gov

PATENT / TRADE MARKS / SERVICE MARKS
Crystal Park 2
2121 Crystal Drive
Arlington, VA 22202
Call toll free: (800) 786-9199
or (703) 308-4357 or (703) 305-3900
Web page: www.uspto.gov

 

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