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.

SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY

DBA - Fictitious Business Names

California law requires that every person who regularly transacts business for profit under a fictitious name, 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 93401

(805) 781-5080

www.slocounty.ca.gov/Page105.aspx

 

County Clerk, Hall of Justice and Records

1055 Monterey Street, Ste. D120

San Luis Obispo, CA 93401

(805) 781-5080

www.slocounty.ca.gov/Page105.aspx

 

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

Please visit our City's Fire Department website to find out how to protect your business in case of a disaster. Click here to find a checklist to help you prepare and more information about the program.

Property Taxes
You will be contacted automatically by the County Assessor's Office. As owner of record, you will automatically be sent a tax bill. Tangible personal property exceeding $30,000 is also taxable.

County Assessor

1055 Monterey Street, Ste. D360

San Luis Obispo, CA 93401

(805) 781-5643

www.slocounty.ca.gov/Page81.aspx

 

Tax Collector's Office

1055 Monterey Street, Ste. D290

San Luis Obispo, CA 93401

(805) 781-5830

www.slocounty.ca.gov/Page964.aspx
 

BUSINESS RESOURCES IN ADDITION 

TO THE CITY'S ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

Better Business Bureau of San Luis Obispo County

P.O. Box 129

Santa Barbara, CA 93102

(805) 963-8657

www.sanluisobispo.bbb.org 

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.

Downtown Association San Luis Obispo

1108 Garden Street, Suite 209

San Luis Obispo, Ca 93401

(805) 541-0286

www.downtownslo.com 

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 to business development.

Economic Vitality Corporation (EVC)

4111 Broad Street

San Luis Obispo, CA 93401

(805) 788-2012

www.sloevc.org

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) 541-0924

www.cuesta.cc.ca.us/commty/ipd 

The Institute for Professional Development is the economic development side of the college. Offering training and support services for small businesses within the County of San Luis Obispo.

Private Industry Council of San Luis Obispo (PIC)

4111 Broad Street

San Luis Obispo, CA 93401

(805) 788-2600

www.slopic@jobhunt.org 

The Private Industry Council (PIC) is a private, non-profit corporation, which provides valuable employment and training services throughout San Luis Obispo County.

The San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce

1039 Chorro Street

San Luis Obispo, CA 93401

(805) 781-2670

www.slochamber.org 

With nearly 1350 member companies 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.

                Cuesta College Small Business Development Center

                    3211 Broad St., Suite 109

                San Luis Obispo, CA 93401

                805-549-0401

                www.smallbusinessinfo.org

The Cuesta College Small Business Development Center (SBDC) is part of a nationwide program that provides business technical assistance to small businesses. The services provided by the SBDC include workshops covering the basics of start-up, financing a small business, and marketing a product or service. The primary mission of the SBDC is to offer a very high level of expertise in the form of prepaid one-on-one counseling to the small business community.

The San Luis Obispo Public Library

Reference Section

995 Palm Street

San Luis Obispo, Ca 93401

(805) 781-5989

www.slolibrary.org

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 will include import/export literature. 

S.C.O.R.E.

4111 Broad Street

San Luis Obispo, CA  93401

(805) 547-0779

www.sloscore.org

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.

If you intend to have your business sell alcoholic beverages, you should contact the State Dept. of Alcoholic Beverage Control.

State Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control

3220 S. Higuera Street

San Luis Obispo, CA 93401

(805) 543-7183

www.abc.ca.gov 

If you intend to engage in the construction industry, you should contact the State License Board to determine what special permits/license may be required.

Contractor's State License Board

9821 Business Park Drive

Sacramento, CA 95827-1703

(800) 321-2752 (Automated Phone Response System)

www.ca.gov/cslb 

 

Department of Industrial Relations

320 W. 4th Street

Los Angeles, CA 90013

(213) 576-7750

www.dir.ca.gov 

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

www.ss.ca.gov 

 

Corporate Filing & Services Division 

(916) 657-5448

Limited Partnership Division 

(916) 653-3365

Trademark Division 

(916) 653-4984

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. (See Calif. Dept. of Workers’ Compensation)

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

www.dir.ca.gov 

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

50 Fremont Street, Suite 1400

San Francisco, CA 94105

(800) 400-7115

www.boe.ca.gov 

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

400 "R" Street, Suite 1080

Sacramento, CA 95814

(916) 445-1254 or

(800) 952-5210

www.dca.ca.gov 

State Taxes - Withholding

If you have employees, you must register with the state Employment Development Department.

Employment Development Department (EDD)

3196 S. Higuera Street

San Luis Obispo, CA 93401

(888) 745-3886

www.edd.ca.gov 

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

 (805) 543-0590

www.dmv.ca.gov

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

Labor Standards Office

30 Van Ness Avenue, Suite 3400

San Francisco, CA 94102

(415) 557-7878

www.dir.ca.gov 

FEDERAL REQUIREMENTS

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, one 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.

U.S. Customs Information

(310) 514-6001

www.uscustoms.com