How to start a business in Carlsbad.

This is the order that works for most new Carlsbad businesses. The city's current processing time is three to four weeks, so apply early, and use the city, county and state sources below to confirm what applies to yours.

1. 1

   Check the space with Planning first

   Before you commit to a space, sign a lease or apply, email planning@carlsbadca.gov with the business type and the address or suite. Staff will tell you whether the use is allowed, needs another land use permit before you move in, or is not allowed. Renovations may need a building permit: building@carlsbadca.gov, or Community Development at 1635 Faraday Ave.

   City of Carlsbad: Business License Q & A
2. 2

   Register the business and the name

   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 San Diego County Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk within 40 days of starting business. It costs $54 for the first name and registrant, plus $5 for each additional, and because it needs an original signature it is filed in person or by mail. Publish it within 45 days of filing, once a week for four consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation.

   CA Secretary of State: bizfile OnlineSan Diego County Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk: Fictitious Business Name
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 Carlsbad business license

   Every business within city limits needs a license, including businesses based elsewhere that come in to work, such as contractors and delivery companies, businesses located in Carlsbad without customers there, and companies with only a temporary presence. Apply online, by mail or in person; the Building, Planning and Fire departments review each application. The current processing time is three to four weeks (the city's Q&A still says four to six), and an invoice follows approval, due on receipt. Questions: (442) 339-2495, business.license@carlsbadca.gov.

   City of Carlsbad: Business LicensesCity of Carlsbad: Business License Q & A
5. 5

   Know the fee and what to have ready

   Professional services generally pay a flat fee; businesses selling products pay on gross receipts, per $1,000 of sales plus a $25 base fee, and every license is at least $34. Have ready your EIN, seller's permit number, a state employer number if you have employees, your NAICS code, any contractor's license, and for a sole proprietor, Social Security and driver's license numbers; catering trucks attach their county health permit. Licenses do not transfer, and a move needs a new application.

   City of Carlsbad: Business License Q & ACity of Carlsbad: Required Information
6. 6

   Pull any industry permits

   If you sell or serve food: Every retail food facility, including vending vehicles and caterers, needs a public health permit from the County of San Diego Department of Environmental Health and Quality, and state law requires plans approved before any new construction or remodeling. The county's Plan Check unit reviews plans submitted online: plnchk@sdcounty.ca.gov. Food trucks and sidewalk vendors also follow Carlsbad Municipal Code Chapter 8.32: a city business license, usually a city vendor permit, a seller's permit that lists the City of Carlsbad as a location, and the insurance the city requires. For other permits, GO-Biz offers permitting and regulatory help for any size company.

   County of San Diego DEHQ: Food ProgramCounty of San Diego DEHQ: Food Plan CheckGO-Biz: Permit & Regulatory Assistance
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 San Diego & Imperial SBDC offers no-cost, one-on-one business consulting and low-cost training for new and existing businesses across San Diego and Imperial counties. Use it before you pay a consultant.

   San Diego & Imperial SBDC (free advising)

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.

• City of Carlsbad: Business Licenses

  Every business in the city, including contractors and delivery companies from elsewhere. Apply online, by mail or in person. (442) 339-2495.

• City of Carlsbad: Business License Q & A

  Flat fee or gross receipts, a $34 minimum, Building, Planning and Fire review, and no transfers to a new owner.

• City of Carlsbad: Required Information

  What to have ready: EIN, seller's permit, a state employer number, NAICS code and more.

• County of San Diego: Business Licenses

  Links to the license office of each of the county's 18 cities. No business license is needed in unincorporated areas, though other permits may apply.

• County of San Diego: Planning & Development Services

  Building permits, land use and zoning for the unincorporated areas. Zoning: (858) 694-8985.

• San Diego County Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk: Fictitious Business Name

  $54 for the first name and registrant, plus $5 for each additional. Filed in person or by mail; publish within 45 days. (619) 237-0502.

• County of San Diego DEHQ: Food Program

  Every retail food facility, including vending vehicles and caterers, needs a public health permit. An A grade means 90 to 100.

• County of San Diego DEHQ: Food Plan Check

  Plans for new or remodeled food facilities and mobile food units, submitted online. Questions: plnchk@sdcounty.ca.gov.

• San Diego County Assessor: Business Personal Property

  Statements are mailed in January and due April 1; a 10% penalty applies after May 7. (858) 505-6100.

• San Diego & Imperial SBDC (free advising)

  No-cost, one-on-one business consulting and low-cost training across San Diego and Imperial counties.

• 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.