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Business
Resource Information |
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The City of San
Luis Obispo's Economic Development Manager assists new and existing businesses. We work closely with
local agencies and business organizations to help solve your business
problems.
We
have found the following list of business resources to be helpful to
all types of businesses. For questions on the necessary permits required of your particular
business, please contact the agency listed.
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LOCAL
BUSINESS
RESOURCES IN ADDITION
TO
THE CITY'S ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
 City of San
Luis Obispo
990 Palm St.
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
Business
Licensing
The purpose of the
city's business license ordinance is to provide for necessary
regulation of lawful businesses being conducted within the City in
the interest of the public health, safety, and welfare of the people
of the City. The primary focus of the City's business license
regulation is to provide reasonable assurance that businesses
operating in the City are doing so in compliance with the City's
planning and building policies, regulations, and ordinances; and are in
compliance with the City's business tax provisions.
Fire Department Disaster
Preparedness Program
Find out how to protect your
business in the event of a disaster. It includes a checklist to help you
prepare as well as more information about the program.
San Luis Obispo Downtown
Association
1108
Garden Street, Suite 209
San
Luis Obispo, Ca 93401
(805)
541-0286
2007 Downtown Association
Strategic Plan
Established
in 1975, the Downtown Association promotes the health and welfare of
downtown. The Downtown Association serves its retail, professional and
service members in a variety of ways, ranging from promotional events
to networking opportunities and business development.
Economic
Vitality Corporation (EVC)
735 Tank Farm
Road, Suite 264
San
Luis Obispo, CA 93401
(805)
788-2012
The
Economic Vitality Corporation is an alliance of San Luis Obispo
businesses and public agencies focused on stimulating the economic
vitality of San Luis Obispo County. The EVC manages the City’s
Revolving Loan Program, offering small business loans to qualified local
businesses.
 The
Institute for Professional Development
Cuesta
College, San Luis Obispo Campus
P.O.
Box 8106
San
Luis Obispo, CA 93403
(805)
546-3180
The Institute for
Professional Development provides customized training for business
and organizations throughout the County of San Luis Obispo.
 The
San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce
1039
Chorro Street
San
Luis Obispo, CA 93401
(805)
781-2777
The Chamber's
Economic Vision Document
With
1,500 members in all aspects of business, the San Luis Obispo
Chamber serves area businesses with the latest business news,
community information and business connections. The San Luis Obispo
Chamber is nationally known as one of the most progressive and dynamic
Chambers in the country.
Business
& Entrepreneurship Center at
Cuesta College
P.O. Box 8106
San Luis Obispo, CA 93403-8106
(805) 546-3188
The Business
& Entrepreneurship Center (BEC) at Cuesta College program is a
network of Community College professionals working in strategic
partnerships with businesses, industry and community organizations
to identify and meet California's economic development needs in the
areas of business improvements and entrepreneurship training.
The
San Luis Obispo Public Library
Reference
Section
995
Palm Street
San
Luis Obispo, Ca 93401
(805)
781-5989
The
Reference Section includes over 100 business and trade journals and
newspapers; a Career Action Center specializes in small businesses;
and an Investment Business Reference Section that includes
import/export literature.
 S.C.O.R.E.
711 Tank Farm
Road, Ste 210
San Luis Obispo,
CA 93401(805)
547-0779
How to Start a Business in San Luis Obispo County
SCORE is a
local service that offers confidential, free counseling to small
businesses. Workshops are also given on a variety of business-related
topics for start-up and existing businesses.
Mission Community Services
Corporation
71 Zaca Lane, Ste 130
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
(805) 595-1357
info@mcscorp.org
Mission Community Services
Corporation, along with their Women’s Business Center website, offer
support to individuals looking at self-employment as a viable option
for their next job. The Business Center works with start-up and
existing businesses, too. The services offered include one-on-one
consulting services and business-related training classes. Many of
their services are federally funded.
Business and Career One-Stop
880 Industrial Way
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
(805) 903-1400
Business and Career One-Stops (BCOSC's)
are designed to provide a full range of assistance to job seekers
and employers under one roof. The centers offer training referrals,
career counseling, job listings, and similar employment-related
programs. Available at the BCOSC will be Goodwill personnel, CA
State Employment Development Department staff, Cuesta College
instructors and private agencies to assist employers and job
seekers.
Cal Poly Small Business
Development Center
for
Innovation
California Polytechnic State University
San Luis Obispo, CA 93407
(805) 756-5171
One of a network of
regional small business development centers, the Cal Poly Small
Business Development Center (SBDC) for Innovation promotes the
development of technology-focused ventures. By providing high
quality business assistance to start-ups and established companies,
the Cal Poly SBDC for Innovation helps entrepreneurs launch
companies, create and retain jobs, attract capital investment and
contribute to the prosperity of the Central Coast.
Softec
c/o Longcrier & Associates
100 Cross Street, Suite 103
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
(805) 782-5236
Softec is the
Central Coast’s leading technology industry group. Established in
1995, Softec has grown to over 1000 members and includes
organizations as well as individuals and is by far the largest, most
active technology group in the area. Our list of members range from
leaders in the tech industry, representatives in education,
participants from the private sector, as well as individuals who are
just plain passionate about technology.
SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY
Better
Business Bureau of San Luis Obispo County
P.O.
Box 129
Santa
Barbara, CA 93101
(805)
963-8657
The Better
Business Bureau helps to promote effective relationships between
businesses and a more informed buying public. The Bureau can provide
business and charity reliability reports, help promote better
relations between businesses and consumers, resolve consumer to
business complaints, provide consumer advice and referrals, and
process inquiries and complaints on businesses in San Luis Obispo
County.
DBA -
Fictitious Business Names
California
law requires that every person who regularly transacts business for
profit under a fictitious name must file and publish a fictitious business
name statement. Contact the County Recorder for additional
information.
County
Recorder
1055
Monterey Street, Ste. D120
San
Luis Obispo, CA 93408
(805)
781-5080
County
Clerk, Hall of Justice and Records
1055
Monterey Street, Ste. D120
San
Luis Obispo, CA 93408
(805)
781-5080
County
Health Permits
If your
business will involve the handling of foods, you must consult the
Environmental Health office and obtain a permit. Permits do not
transfer if you take over an existing food business.
Environmental
Health
2156
Sierra Way
San
Luis Obispo, CA 93401
(805)
781-5544
County
CUPA Business Plans
If your
business involves the handling of hazardous material above threshold
quantities, you must submit a Business Plan to the local
Certified Unified Program Agency (CUPA).
Property
Taxes
As owner of record, you will automatically be sent a tax bill by the County Assessor's Office. Tangible personal
property exceeding $30,000 is also taxable.
County
Assessor
1055
Monterey Street, Ste. D360
San
Luis Obispo, CA 93408
(805)
781-5643
Tax
Collector's Office
1055
Monterey Street, Ste. D290
San
Luis Obispo, CA 93408
(805)
781-5830
STATE
OF CALIFORNIA
Alcoholic Beverage
Control
If you
intend to have your business sell alcoholic beverages,
contact the State Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control.
 California
Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control
3220 S.
Higuera Street, Ste. 233
San
Luis Obispo, CA 93401
(805)
543-7183
Contractors
If you
intend to engage in the construction industry, contact the
State License Board to determine what special permits/license may be
required.
 Contractors
State License Board
9821
Business Park Drive
Sacramento,
CA 95827
(800)
321-2752
Department
of Industrial Relations
455 Golden Gate
Avenue
San Francisco,
CA 94102
(866) 924-9757
Forming a
Corporation
If forming
a corporation, you must file articles of incorporation with the
California Secretary of State.
Secretary
of State
1500
11th Street, 3rd Floor
Sacramento,
CA 95814
Business
Programs Division
(916)
657-5448
Trademark
Division
(916)
653-3984
Insurance/Workers' Compensation
Any
business should consider insurance coverage for general liability,
product liability, fire and similar disasters, robbery and theft.
Fidelity bonding should be considered for employees who
handle cash receipts or other funds. If you have employees, Worker's
Compensation insurance is mandatory under California law.
Division of
Workers' Compensation
4740 Allene Way, Ste. 100
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
(805) 596-4153
Safety
and Health Regulations
If you have
employees, there are laws that set safety standards designed to
prevent injuries arising out of unsafe or unhealthy working
conditions. Small employers (less than 10 employees) may be exempt
from some of the CAL-OSHA requirements.
CAL-OSHA
6150
Van Nuys Blvd, Suite 307
Van
Nuys, CA 91401
(800)
963-9424
Seller's
Permit / Resale Number
Every
business that will sell or lease tangible personal property
(merchandise) to customers must obtain a seller's permit from the
State Board of Equalization.
State
Board of Equalization
P.O. Box 942879
San
Francisco, CA 94279
(800)
400-7115
State
Licenses
The State
of California imposes license requirements and fees on more than 100
businesses and professions. The Department of Consumer Affairs grants
most licenses.
Department
of Consumer Affairs
1625 North
Market Blvd., Suite N 112
Sacramento,
CA 95834
(800)
952-5210
State
Taxes - Withholding
If you have
employees, you must register with the state Employment Development
Department.
Employment
Development Department (EDD)
P.O. Box 826880,
MIC 83
Sacramento, CA
94280-0001
(888) 745-3886
Vehicle
Registration
Commercial
vehicles for a business must be registered with the Department of
Motor Vehicles.
Department
of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
3190 S.
Higuera Street
San
Luis Obispo, CA 93401
(800)
777-0133
Wages,
Hours and Child Labor
If you have
employees, you should contact the Department of Industrial Relations
with regard to minimum wages, overtime pay, employee dismissal
requirements, hiring of minors, and fair employment practices.
State
Labor Commissioner Division of Labor Standards Enforcement (DLSE)
455 Golden Gate Avenue, 10th Floor
San
Francisco, CA 94102
(415)
703-5300
FEDERAL
Employee
I.D. Number/Taxes
Most small
businesses are unlikely to require any type of federal permit to
operate, unless they are engaged in rendering investment advice,
making alcohol or tobacco products, preparing meat products, or making
or dealing in firearms. However, if you have formed a corporation or a
partnership, you should apply for a federal employer identification
number (Form SS-4) even if the business has no employees. Request from
the IRS the Employers Tax Guide, a publication that explains federal
income tax, unemployment tax, and social security tax withholding
requirements for employers.
Internal Revenue Service
(IRS)
450 Golden Gate Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 522-4061
Tax Center
This site contains many useful topics for small business and the
self-employed, including links to information on starting a
business, IRS forms and publications, small business events and the
IRS video portal.
Small
Business and Self-Employed Tax Center
611 West Sixth
Street
Suite 400-MS 4032
Los Angeles, CA
90017
(213) 833-1226
Ready Business
The U.S. Department of Homeland
Security and the Advertising Council's site is designed to educate
and empower Americans to prepare for and respond to emergencies,
focusing specifically on business preparedness.
Ready Campaign
FEMA/DHS
500 C St, SW Suite 714
Washington, DC 20472
Small Business Administration
Looking to start a business or improve
the way your business is managed? Visit this site to find out how
the U.S. Small Business Administration can help.
U.S. Small Business Administration
409 3rd St, SW
Washington DC 20416
800-827-5722
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