Application forms are available at:

City of San Bernardino
Office of the City Clerk
Business Registration Division
300 North "D" Street, Second Floor
San Bernardino, CA 92418

(909) 384-5302 Hours: 7:30 AM - 5:30 PM Monday-Thursday

Businesses that may require a special use permit:

Read the application thoroughly. All sections of the application form should be completed including business name, business location, business mailing address. If a post office box is used, you must also provide a physical address. Is this a new business, change of ownership, business or address change? State whether your business is owned solely by you, or whether it is a partnership or a corporation. Names and home addresses of the owners or officers of the corporation are also required.

Submit your Business Registration Application along with an approved Zoning Consistency Review to the Business Registration Division. Registration fee may be paid by cash or check. A penalty will be imposed for any returned checks. Your Business Registration Certificate will be mailed to you in approximately two weeks.

STEP 2: Inquire about city zoning requirements for your type of business and its planned location. An approved copy of a Zoning Consistency Review must be presented at the time of submitting your application for a Business Registration Certificate. This approval is required even if you are purchasing an existing business or moving into an existing building previously used for the same type of business. A Zoning Consistency Review can be obtained from the Department of Planning and Building Services. (909) 384-5057

REQUIRED STEPS

Contact the City of San Bernardino Public Works Department, Refuse and Recycling Division at the time you complete your Business Registration in order to arrange for refuse service. Health and Safety laws require that each business operating within the City must receive a minimum of once per week refuse service. An application for commercial refuse service is available at the Public Works Counter, Fourth Floor, City Hall. Additional information is available by calling (909) 384-5335.

Contact the Internal Revenue Service for a Federal Employer Identification Number. The IRS will provide a Businessman's Kit, seminars for new businesses, additional information and forms. (800) 829-1040

Contact the State Franchise Tax Board to obtain forms if you intend to have employees or to obtain a Form 540ES for estimating State Withholding Tax for yourself. (800) 852-5711

Contact the State Employment Tax Department to obtain a State Employer Identification Number if you have employees and withhold State Income Tax, Disability and Unemployment Insurance. (888) 745-3886. Contact the EDD on the web at http://www.edd.ca.gov/

Contact the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board if you plan to sell or serve alcoholic beverages. (909) 782-4400

OPTIONAL STEPS:

If you are using a fictitious business name ,contact the County Recorder's Office and your local newspaper with regard to publication of notice, etc. You may wish to contact them by telephone first at (909) 387-8306.

If your business activity may require a Seller's Permit (Retail Sales Tax Number) ,from the State Board of Equalization. To obtain such a permit, you must apply in person at one of the local district offices. You may wish to contact them by telephone first to determine if your business requires such a permit. (909) 680-6400.

Contact the San Bernardino County Department of Environmental Health if your establishment intends to prepare and/or sell food of any type. For the business of catering or ice cream trucks and or carts, you must present a copy of your health permit to obtain your Business Registration Certificate. (909) 884-4056

If you own single family residences and commercial properties that are rented or leased, you are required to obtain a registration certificate from the City Clerk's Office. (909) 384-5309

If you use your residential property for business purposes, you may require a Home Occupation Permit. Information regarding the Home Occupation Permit may be obtained through the Department of Planning and Building Services. (909) 384-5057

BUSINESS OPERATION INFORMATION:

REGISTRATION FEES

GROSS RECEIPTS Businesses which have a physical location within the City of San Bernardino shall pay a fee based on gross receipts. The schedule of fees shall be set from time to time by Resolution of the Mayor and Common Council.

FLAT RATE Businesses which are not located within the City of San Bernardino, but provide a service within the city, (i.e. contractor, janitorial service, etc.), may be assessed a flat rate which shall be set from time to time by Resolution of the Mayor and Common Council.

DISPLAY REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE

All Business Registration Certificates must be displayed on the premises in a conspicuous place (i.e. in plain view). For those not having a fixed business address, the certificate must be physically carried by the person and presented upon request. NOTE: Photo copies are not valid.

REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE RENEWAL

Once you have obtained a registration certificate, a courtesy renewal notice will automatically be forwarded to you before your expiration date. You will have a 30 day period in which to renew. If you do not receive a renewal notice, please contact the Business Registration Division. Failure to receive a renewal notice does not relieve the business owner's responsibility to renew the business registration.

BUSINESS REGISTRATION TRANSFERS

A Business Registration Certificate is not transferable. The certificate is terminated when business ownership changes. Advise the Business Registration Division should you relocate or terminate your business for any reason.