This page provides information on doing business in Alameda County, California. Please see Starting a Business in Alameda County for a guide produced by the Alameda County Library and the Alameda County Community Development Agency.
The following information is only intended to assist small businesses in accessing publicly available information on the regulation and licensing of small businesses in Alameda County. For an official interpretation of legal and tax regulations regarding your business at your location, we encourage you to consult with a state licensed attorney and a certified public accountant.
Most businesses in Alameda County will be required to file a Fictitious Business Name Statement. Check with the agency that issues business licenses in your municipality to verify the need for a Fictitious Business Name Statement.
A fictitious business name, in the case of a sole proprietorship or partnership, is a name that does not include the full name(s) of the individual(s), or a name that suggests the existence of additional owners (e.g. Associates, and Sons, etc.). In the case of a corporation, a fictitious business name is any name other than the full corporate name as shown in the articles of incorporation.
After the fictitious business name statement has been filed with the county clerk, the statement must be published in an Alameda County newspaper of general circulation in the area where the business is to be conducted. The statement must be published once a week for four consecutive weeks with five days between each date of publication. Note that you will also need to file an affidavit of publication with the county clerk within 30 days after the completion of the publication cycle.
In Alameda County, Fictitious Business Name Filing is done through the Alameda County Clerk-Recorder’s Office in Oakland:
For more information, please see the Fictitious Business Name Filing page on the Alameda County Website: www.co.alameda.ca.us.
If you have employees or operate your business as a corporation or partnership, you need to obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN). There is no charge to obtain the EIN.
More information regarding Employee Indentifcation Numbers can be found Here.
In California, some businesses and occupations are required to be licensed by the state. For a breakdown of license contacts by profession, please see the Licensee Information page on the Department of Consumer Affairs Website: www.dca.ca.gov
Depending on the specific type of business or manufacturing operation, some businesses may be required to obtain permits covering various construction, operating, production or disposal procedures. For “one-stop” state license information, contact the California Department of Consumer Affairs at (800) 952-5210. Their consumer service representatives can answer consumer and licensee questions in 140 different languages, assist in the filing of complaints, mail helpful publications and refer callers to the appropriate government or private agency for more assistance.
NOTE: Even if you are professionally licensed by the state, local governments will also require a (municipal) business license to conduct business in their city. Contact your county clerk and city clerk to learn about local requirements.
Sellers Permit:
You must obtain a seller’s permit if you:
The requirement to obtain a seller’s permit applies to individuals as well as corporations, partnerships, and limited liability companies. Both wholesalers and retailers must apply for a permit. There is no cost to register for a permit.
If you do not hold a seller’s permit and will make sales during temporary periods, such as Christmas tree sales and rummage sales, you must apply for a temporary seller’s permit. Such permits are normally issued to selling operations lasting no longer than 90 days at one location.
Register for a Seller’s Permit Here.
Find more information about Seller’s Permits Here.
When starting or expanding a business, it is important to verify that the facilities you use are in compliance with all laws:
Contact your county clerk and city clerk to learn about local Zoning and Building Codes and Ordinances. In Alameda County, you can contact the County Assessor at:
Alameda County Assessor’s Office
1221 Oak Street, Room 145
Oakland, CA 94612
Phone: 510-272-3787
The Alameda County Library has an excellent content section on their Website that deals with the topic of starting a business in Alameda County:
Procedure for Starting a Business (in Alameda County)