Choosing a Location

http://www.brentwoodca.gov/pdf/finance/home_occupation_permit_application.pdf
If you are running your business from your home, which is located within the city limits of Brentwood, you must apply for a Home Occupation Permit.

http://www.brentwoodca.gov/pdf/new/finance/BLApplication.pdf
Fill out your application and send to the City of Brentwood, 150 City Park Way, Brentwood, CA 94513

http://www.boe.ca.gov/
If you charge sales tax you will need to apply for a Sales Tax Number or Resale Number

http://www.ccclerkrec.us/connect/site/index.jsp?language=English&menuItemId=15
You must register your business name with the County Clerk Recorder to get your Fictitious Business Name.

http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0,,id=98350,00.html
If you have employees, you may need to apply for a Federal Identification Number.

http://www.abc.ca.gov/permits/permits.html
If you are serving alcoholic beverages, you may need to apply with the Alcoholic Beverage Control Licensing

http://caag.state.ca.us/firearms/index.html
If you are selling or trading in firearms, new laws require you to register with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms for a Federal Firearms License (FFL) and a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) from the Department of Justice.

http://www.buyusa.gov/oakland/
If you need an Export License

http://www.brentwoodca.gov/department/pd/index.cfm
If you are selling or trading secondhand merchandise or pawn broking, new laws require you to register with the Police Department

http://ag.ca.gov
If you deal in check cashing, you must register with the Department of Justice

http://www.businessusa .gov/
Information and services provided by the government for the business community.

http://www.calgold.ca.gov
California Permit Assistance CalGOLD provides businesses with information on permits and other requirements of California agencies at all levels of government.

http://www.calepa.ca.gov
Environmental Protection Agency This California agency may need to review and approve your permit application.

http://www.score.org/
Deals with basic legal issues

http://www.sbaonline.sba.gov/
Information regarding starting and managing small businesses.

http://www.dir.ca.gov/dwc/dwc_home_page.htm
The homepage of the State of California’s Division of Workers’ Compensation

http://www.dir.ca.gov/dwc/links.html
Links to other agencies that deal with worker’s compensation laws and requirements.

http://www.edd.ca.gov
The Employment Development Department administers state unemployment and non-industrial disability insurance programs.

• Brentwood Chamber of Commerce - (925) 634-3344
• Better Business Bureau - (510) 238-1000
• Contractors State License Board - (800) 321-2752
• Business Resource Center (Private Industry Council of Contra Costa County)
  (925) 602-6840
• Child Care Licensing - State Department of Social Services - (510) 286-7062
  If you have 6 or less and only one other family’s children besides yours, you are exempt from a City business license.
• Business License for unincorporated areas, County offices - (925) 646-4230
• Import Businesses - U.S. Customs Import Specialist - (415) 705-4440