Main Navigation (MegaMenu) Home Residents Businesses Public Safety City Hall COVID-19 Search English Toggle Dropdown Community Development Agency Home Community Development Agency Economic Development Quick Guide: 10-Step Plan to Setting Up Shop In Santa Ana Quick Guide: 10-Step Plan to Setting Up Shop In Santa Ana Additional Info Economic Development Portal Economic Development Subsidy Reports Santa Ana Resident Vehicle Incentive Program (VIP) Santa Ana Opportunity Zone Worker Cooperatives South Main Street Vision Plan Recycling Market Development Zone (RMDZ) Santa Ana Tourism Marketing District Retail Cannabis Map Business Assitance 10-Steps to doing business Service Directory Business Incentives WORK Center Downtown 1. Evaluate Your Needs and Determine Your Location The City of Santa Ana Economic Development Division Phone: (714) 647-5445 Website: Economic Development The Economic Development Division has information on business incentives, starting a new business, job training and placement assistance, and export development assistance. We are located at 20 Civic Center Plaza Drive, 6th Floor, Santa Ana, California. The city also assists businesses wishing to locate or expand by identifying possible locations. and offering incentives. Call to find out if your prospective site is located in the Enterprise Zone, an area that offers tax benefits. Orange County Inland Empire Small Business Development Center The Small Business Development Center offers free workshops and consulting services to help your business start, grow, and succeed. Services include marketing, business planning, funding, and management. We encourage all of our Santa Ana businesses and entrepreneurs to engage with the OCIE SBDC for all business support needs. Phone: (800) 616-7232 Website: www.ociesmallbusiness.org. 2. Zoning The City of Santa Ana Planning and Building Agency Phone: (714) 647-5804 Website: Planning and Building Agency The City has established zoning ordinances for both home-based businesses and commercial addresses. 3. Fictitious Business Name (dba) Orange County Clerk Recorder Phone: (714) 834-2500 Website: www.ocrecorder.com/services/fictitious If you intend to name your firm anything other than your own name, you must file a fictitious business name, also called a dba (Doing Business As). 4. Get a Business License The City of Santa Ana Business Tax Office Phone: (714) 647-5447 Website: Business License FAQ Any person operating a business in the city must obtain a business license and pay an annual business license tax. 5. Get Important State Permits The Economic Development Division and Business Tax Office can help you determine what other permits or licenses you may need. Contact the appropriate offices listed below. For Wholesale and Retail business To apply for a Seller's Permit California Department of Tax and Fee Administration Phone: (949) 440-3473 Website: https://www.cdtfa.ca.gov/ For Restaurants and Food Vendors A Health Inspection is required. The Orange County Health Care Agency Phone: (714) 433-6000 Website: Food Facility Health Permit For Restaurants Serving Alcohol and Liquor Stores A Liquor License is required. California Department of Alcoholic Beverages Control Phone: (714) 558-4101 For Some Types of Retail and Manufacturing South Coast AQMD Phone: (909) 396-2000 Website: www.aqmd.gov Business Structure If you are filing as a corporation, S Corporation, Partnership, or limited liability company, you must register. Secretary of State Phone: (916) 657-5448 Website: Business Entities 6. Get the Right City Permits Zoning For questions about zoning, environmental review, land use and conditional use permits. Phone: (714) 647-5804 Planning & Building For questions about plan check, mechanical and electrical permits. Phone: (714) 647-5804 Business License For questions about obtaining your business license. Phone: (714) 647-5447 Public Works For questions on public right-of-way, sanitation and recycling. Phone: (714) 647-5690 Fire Prevention Services For questions about hazardous materials, underground storage tanks and fire investigation. Phone: (714) 573-6000 Permit Assistance Team For questions about which permit to obtain. Phone: (714) 647-5445 7. Get a Federal Employer Identification Number Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Phone: (800) 829-4933 Website: How to Apply for an EIN A partnership, corporation or a sole proprietorship with employees requires a Federal Employer I.D. number. A sole proprietorship without employees can use the owner's social security number. 8. Get a State Identification Number Employment Development Department (EDD) Phone: (888) 745-3886 Website: Am I Required to Register as an Employer? The same rules generally apply for a State Tax I.D. number as for a Federal Tax I.D. number. Please refer to the item above. 9. Open a Checking Account for your Business Only Separate business and personal accounting is essential when you file your tax return. 10. Start, Grow, & Succeed Successful Businesses Have a Business Plan Orange County Inland Empire Small Business Development Center The Small Business Development Center offers free workshops and consulting services to help your business start, grow, and succeed. Services include marketing, business planning, funding, and management. We encourage all of our Santa Ana businesses and entrepreneurs to engage with the OCIE SBDC for all business support needs. Phone: (800) 616-7232 Website: www.ociesmallbusiness.org. 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