Anyone who plans to conduct business in Riverside, CA will need to obtain a business license. You can fill in and print an application for a business license on the City of Riverside website. Riverside has a feature for their online business license application that allows you to email it directly to the City of Riverside when you finish the application by pressing the email button at the top of the page. If you prefer to do the application in person, you can visit the Finance Department at 3900 Main Street in Riverside.
Zoning simply means that there are certain parts of a city set aside for certain uses, including residential, commercial, industrial, etc. To be zone-approved, you must be certain that your business is in the correct zone. To determine if your business will be acceptable in a certain area, you should contact the Planning Department at (951) 862-5371 to discuss your business activities and the property where you plan to conduct your business. It is highly recommended that you take this step prior to purchasing or leasing any property, lest you be financially responsible for a property that is not approved for business activities.
Your business license application is a series of questions and sections to gather information about you, the business owner, and the business that you wish to conduct. You will need to supply your name, home address, and valid driver’s license number, its expiration date and the state which it was issued in. A description of your business and a declaration of your business type, that is, whether you are the sole owner, in a partnership, part of a larger corporation, an LLC, or LLP, is also requested. Your business name, physical and mailing address of your business, and a business phone and email number will need to be supplied as well. If applicable, you may need to provide a FEIN (federal employer’s ID number), a state sales tax ID number and state license number and expiration date. Your social security number is requested if you are the sole owner of your business. There is a series of “yes or no” questions that pertain to the type of business you are conducting, including if you are going to manufacture any goods, if you will be involved in handling or vending food, offering massage, etc. When you have completed your application, you will either type your name, which is considered a digital signature, or, if you are filing a hard-copy of the application, you will sign your name stating that you are providing true and accurate information to the best of your knowledge.
It is possible that you will need to apply for and be issued additional licenses or permits for your business to be in compliance with local, state, and/or federal regulations to operate your business. If you are planning to serve alcohol, for example, you may need to obtain a license from the Alcoholic Beverage Control department. Food services and certain materials may require that you obtain a health permit from the Health Department. Contact the Finance Department to inquire whether you may need to fill out additional applications for additional licenses or permits.
Your business activities will determine what your fees for your business license will be. These fees can be calculated by the Finance Department when you return your Riverside business license application. You can also call the Department at (951) 826-5465.
The Finance Department of Riverside can be reached for information and questions at (951) 826-5465. If you wish to visit the Department in person, you can go to 3900 Main Street in Riverside. The City of Riverside website has useful information for those that are starting their own business as well.
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