How to start and grow a business in Riverside County.

This is the order that works for most new businesses. Requirements vary by entity, location and industry, so use the city, county and state sources below to confirm what applies to yours.

1. 1

   Find out who licenses your address

   Each of Riverside County's 28 cities licenses the businesses inside it; the county's city list links to all of them. The county itself has no business license program, but anyone conducting business in an unincorporated area must get a Business (Stormwater) Registration under Ordinance 857: $45 the first year and $30 a year after, one per physical location, including mobile businesses and state-licensed contractors. (951) 955-1400. Before any new business opens in an unincorporated area, the county asks you to check zoning with its Planning Department.

   County of Riverside: CitiesCounty of Riverside: Business (Stormwater) RegistrationCounty of Riverside: Starting a Business
2. 2

   Pick a structure and register the business

   Form an LLC or corporation with the California Secretary of State through bizfile Online, or stay a sole proprietor. If you use a name that is not your legal name, file a fictitious business name (DBA) statement with the Riverside County Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder within 40 days of starting business. It costs $66 for the name and first registrant, including one certified copy. State law allows 45 days after filing to publish it, once a week for four weeks, but the county's own page still says 30, so publishing within 30 days satisfies both.

   CA Secretary of State: bizfile OnlineRiverside County Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder: Fictitious Business Names
3. 3

   Get your free EIN and any seller's permit

   The IRS says you generally need an EIN to hire employees or to operate a partnership or corporation. It issues the number online, immediately if approved, and never charges for it. If you sell or lease goods that would ordinarily be subject to sales tax, you also need a seller's permit from the CDTFA, which does not charge for it but may ask for a security deposit.

   IRS: Get an EINCDTFA: Seller's permit
4. 4

   Get your city business license

   This is the step that changes most by city, in price and timing. Temecula charges $39 ($59 for a home occupation) and every license expires January 31. Moreno Valley renewals are also due January 31. The City of Riverside collects its business tax by your first day of business, and Corona requires Community Development approval before you open. The free checklist lists the offices of seven cities, and the city guides below walk through each one.

   County of Riverside: Cities
5. 5

   Confirm zoning and pull any industry permits

   Before you sign a lease, confirm the use is allowed at the address with your city's planning office, or the county Planning Department in unincorporated areas. If you sell or serve food: Every food facility needs a permit from the County of Riverside Department of Environmental Health before it opens, and state law requires plans approved before any new construction or remodeling. Permits do not transfer to a new owner. The City of Temecula lists the county office at 38740 Sky Canyon Dr., Murrieta, (951) 461-0284. For other permits, GO-Biz offers permitting and regulatory help for any size company.

   Riverside County Department of Environmental Health: Plan CheckHealth and Safety Code 114380GO-Biz: Permit & Regulatory Assistance
6. 6

   Report business equipment to the Assessor

   If you own more than $100,000 in business personal property, or the Assessor sends you a request, file a property statement: a Notice to File Online is mailed in February, and filing by May 7 avoids penalties. A new business reports its location and mailing address to the Assessor's Business Division: (951) 955-6210.

   Riverside County Assessor: Business Personal Property
7. 7

   Check the $800 California tax rules for your entity

   Every California LLC owes the $800 annual tax, even in a year it does no business, until it is cancelled. Corporations owe an $800 minimum franchise tax, but newly incorporated or qualified corporations do not pay it in their first taxable year.

   Franchise Tax Board: LLC $800 annual taxFranchise Tax Board: Corporation minimum tax
8. 8

   Use the free help that already exists

   The Orange County Inland Empire SBDC offers no-cost help for entrepreneurs across Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties. Use it before you pay a consultant.

   Orange County Inland Empire SBDC (free advising)

• Riverside

  Business tax steps and the county seat's healthcare, education, and logistics economy.

• Moreno Valley

  Business license steps and the logistics, distribution, and residential-growth market.

• Corona

  Business license steps and the manufacturing, retail, and commuter economy near the OC line.

• Temecula

  Business license steps and the wine country, tourism, and affluent-suburb market.

• Murrieta

  Business license steps and the fast-growing family, healthcare, and retail market.

• Menifee

  Business license steps and a young, fast-growing residential market.

• Palm Springs

  Business license steps and the Coachella Valley hospitality, events, and design economy.

Every link here goes straight to a government or nonprofit source. These are the agencies that actually issue your registrations and permits, so go to them directly rather than a paid middleman.

• County of Riverside: Cities

  Links to all 28 cities in Riverside County. Each one licenses the businesses inside it.

• County of Riverside: Business (Stormwater) Registration

  The county has no business license, but unincorporated businesses register under Ordinance 857: $45, then $30 a year. (951) 955-1400.

• County of Riverside: Starting a Business

  Zoning with the county Planning Department, business names with the County Clerk, and reporting business property to the Assessor.

• Riverside County Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder: Fictitious Business Names

  $66 for the name and first registrant, including one certified copy, plus $5 for each additional name or registrant. (951) 486-7000.

• Riverside County Department of Environmental Health: Plan Check

  Food facility plan approval and health permits. The City of Temecula lists its office at 38740 Sky Canyon Dr., Murrieta, (951) 461-0284.

• Riverside County Assessor: Business Personal Property

  File if you own more than $100,000 in business personal property or get a request. File by May 7 to avoid penalties. (951) 955-6210.

• Orange County Inland Empire SBDC (free advising)

  No-cost help for entrepreneurs across Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties. (800) 616-7232.

• CA Secretary of State: bizfile Online

  Where LLCs and corporations file with the California Secretary of State.

• IRS: Get an EIN

  Your federal tax ID. Apply online and, if approved, the number is issued immediately. The IRS never charges a fee for an EIN.

• CDTFA: Seller's permit

  Required if you sell or lease goods that would ordinarily be subject to sales tax. The CDTFA does not charge for it, though it may ask for a security deposit.

• Franchise Tax Board: LLC $800 annual tax

  Every LLC doing business or organized in California owes the $800 annual tax, even in a year it does no business, until the LLC is cancelled.

• Franchise Tax Board: Corporation minimum tax

  Corporations owe an $800 minimum franchise tax, but newly incorporated or qualified corporations do not pay it in their first taxable year.

• GO-Biz: Permit & Regulatory Assistance

  The Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development says it will assist any size company with permitting and regulatory questions.