Doing business in the San Diego District

SBA’s Business Guide lists the requirements needed to start, grow, and expand your business. Since laws and taxes vary by state, here’s what you need to do before starting your business in our area.

Business name and registration

Register your business name with the county clerk where your business is located. If you are a corporation, you will also need to register with the Secretary of State.

Business licensing and zoning

Licenses are typically administered by a variety of state and local departments. It is important to consider zoning regulations when choosing a site for your business. Contact the local business license office where you plan to locate your business. You may not be permitted to conduct business out of your home or engage in industrial activity in a retail district.

CalGold is a business license and permit database to assist your business. It also provides contact information for the various agencies that administer and issue these permits.

Taxes

Small Businesses Self-Employed | Internal Revenue Service (irs.gov) 

IRS Taxpayer Assistance Centers
880 Front St.
San Diego, CA 92101

1 Civic Center Dr.
San Marcos, CA 92069
Phone: 844-545-5640

California Tax Service Center
10636 Scripps Summit Court, Suite 202
San Diego, CA 92131
Phone: 888-745-3886

CDTFA - CA Department of Tax and Fee Administration
15015 Avenue of Science, Suite 200
San Diego, CA 92128-3434
Phone:858-385-4700

1550 West Main Street (Closed from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.)
El Centro, CA 92243-2832
PO Box 197
El Centro, CA 92244-0197
Phone:760-352-3431

Health and safety

California Department of Industrial Relations
1515 Clay St., Suite 1302
Oakland, CA 94612
Phone: 844-522-6734

Cal/OSHA - Division of Occupational Safety and Health
7575 Metropolitan Dr., Suite 204
San Diego, CA 92108
Phone: 619-767-2060

San Diego County Environmental Health
P.O. Box 129261
San Diego, CA 92112-9261
Phone:858-505-6900

Food | Imperial County Public Health Department (icphd.org)
Environmental Health
797 Main St., suite B,
El Centro, CA 92243
Phone:442-265-1888

Need information on the local business landscape? SBA's Office of Advocacy has the latest demographic and statistics on local small business economic activity.