How to start a business in Escondido.

This is the order that works for most new Escondido 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 Escondido business license

   Anyone doing business within Escondido needs a business license, even if the business is headquartered elsewhere: construction contractors, booths at antique stores or swap meets, and technology consultants, for example. You may not do business until the license is approved. Apply online through the city's Business License portal, handled by HdL, (760) 270-9397 or escondido@hdlgov.com, with help in multiple languages; the approved license is emailed to you.

   City of Escondido: Business License
4. 4

   Check zoning and any extra permits

   Some businesses need permits beyond the license, including massage establishments and technicians, tobacco retailers, pawn brokers, private security, taxi and limousine services, check cashing, gun dealers and auctioneers; if yours is one, you get more information when you apply. Confirm the use is allowed at the address before you sign a lease. 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
5. 5

   Keep the license current

   A license is issued to one owner for one location: a new owner needs a new application, and a move needs a supplemental form, a new review and a $20 change of address fee. Licenses last one year. Renew online with the renewal code sent by email; late renewals owe 25% a month, up to 100%.

   City of Escondido: Business License
6. 6

   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
7. 7

   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 Escondido: Business License

  Required for anyone doing business in the city, even if based elsewhere. Apply online through HdL: (760) 270-9397, escondido@hdlgov.com.

• 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.