How to start a business in Chula Vista.

This is the order that works for most new Chula Vista 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

   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
2. 2

   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
3. 3

   Get your Chula Vista business license

   Anyone doing business in Chula Vista needs a business license: businesses located in the city, even with customers elsewhere, and businesses from other cities that come in to work, such as contractors and delivery companies; even a temporary presence counts. Apply online, by mail or at the Finance Department counter, 276 Fourth Avenue, Building A. You need a physical street address, because P.O. Boxes and mailbox rental addresses are not accepted, and a change of owner, address or use needs a new application. Have ready the business name and any DBA, the type of business, number of employees, owner contacts, a taxpayer ID or Social Security number, and any state license number. Questions: cvlicenses@chulavistaca.gov, (619) 585-5624.

   City of Chula Vista: Apply for a Business License
4. 4

   Add a Home Occupation Permit for a home business

   A home business submits a Home Occupation Permit with its license application. The business has to stay secondary to the home: no sale of goods on the premises, no signs or displayed products, only residents working in it, no more traffic than a normal home, and the required parking kept, so no garage conversions. Some areas carry extra limits from specific plans, community plans or conditional use permits, so check the zoning for your property first.

   City of Chula Vista: Apply for a Business License
5. 5

   Confirm zoning and pull any industry permits

   A license does not certify that the business meets building and zoning rules; the city says that stays your responsibility, so confirm the use is allowed at the address before you sign a lease. Mobile businesses that use water or generate pollutants, from auto detailing to food trucks, also complete a Storm Water Certification Statement: (619) 397-6038. 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. 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
6. 6

   Renew every year

   Renewing is the owner's responsibility. Licenses are delinquent after January 31: a 10% penalty starts February 1 and rises 10% a month to 50% on June 1, and taxes unpaid by July 1 carry a 60% penalty and may be referred to Code Enforcement. Renew online, except businesses under the state's industrial stormwater permit, which renew by mail or in person.

   City of Chula Vista: Renew a Business License
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 Chula Vista: Apply for a Business License

  Online, by mail or at the Finance counter. A physical street address is required, and home businesses add a Home Occupation Permit. (619) 585-5624.

• City of Chula Vista: Renew a Business License

  Renew every year. Licenses are delinquent after January 31, with a 10% penalty from February 1 that rises each month.

• 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.