Zoning: Every business must comply with the zoning ordinance regulations, whether the business is in the county or in a city. BEFORE SIGNING any leases and moving in, you should check with the local Planning Department to be sure that your proposed business is allowed at the location you are considering.

Planning permits: Many businesses can be started with few permits; however, other more intensive businesses will often require special permits before the business can commence. These are Conditional Use Permits (CUP) and Planned Development Permits (PD) and usually require environmental review and public hearings. These permits will take time to acquire, so factor this into your plans.

Signs: Check with the City or County Planning Department BEFORE using or installing any type of permanent or temporary sign including those on walls, windows, banners, balloons, and awnings.

Building and Safety: In addition to checking with the Planning Department, you should also check with the local City or County Building & Safety office to see if the building you intend to occupy is suitable for your business.

Fictitious Business Name: If you regularly transact business in this state for profit under a fictitious business name, you will need to file a Fictitious Business Name Statement with the County Clerk's Office.

Click here for information regarding Fictitious Business Name Statements.

Health Permits: Contact the County Environmental Health Division, Hall of Administration, 3rd Floor, (805) 654-2813 for the appropriate permit if your business/project is associated with any of the following: retail food sales, public pools/spas, septic systems, underground fuel tanks, medical waste, hazardous waste, tattooing, body piercing, permanent cosmetics, landfills, compost facilities, or trash trucks.

County Business License: The County Sheriff's Office accepts applications for business licenses ONLY from businesses located in the unincorporated areas of Ventura County which are regulated by the Sheriff, such as: Temporary show or concert, dance hall, hawker, pool table, pawn broker, junk collector or dealer, massage parlor, rubbish collector, second-hand dealer, solicitor, taxi cab operator, itinerant merchant, bingo, etc. If your business address is located in the unincorporated area, or you conduct business in the unincorporated area, please contact the Sheriff's Office to see if you are required to hold a County Business License at (805) 654-2371.

County Business Tax Certificate: All businesses, professions, trades, vocations, enterprises, establishments, occupations and callings being conducted in the unincorporated areas of the county must obtain a Business Tax Certificate. This includes temporary businesses (e.g., film productions). Even businesses located within any city limits who deliver, solicit, or operate in the unincorporated areas of the county must have this certificate. For more information call the Business Tax Bureau at (805) 645-1328.

Property Tax (business): Each person owning, possessing or controlling taxable personal property used in their business, trade or profession, shall file an annual property statement with the County Assessor showing the cost of all taxable property such as supplies, equipment, and fixtures, as of January 1, the lien date. Business inventory is exempt from taxation. Property with an assessed full value of $2,000 or less is exempt from taxation in Ventura County. For assessment information, call the Assessor's Office at (805) 654-2181. For questions on payment of taxes, call the Tax Collector's Office at (805) 654-3744. For tax rate information, call the Auditor's Office (805) 654-3170.

Kennel Licenses: The County Animal Regulation Department regulates kennels. Contact the Animal Regulation Department for kennel business information: 600 Aviation Drive, Camarillo, CA 93010, (805) 388-4341.

Air Quality Permits: Air quality permits are required for any equipment or process at a facility which may emit air pollutants. The Air Pollution Control District (APCD) has a two-step permitting process. Applicants are required to obtain an Authority to Construct from the District before construction begins. After construction has been completed, but before operation begins, applicants are required to obtain a Permit to Operate.

Permits must be modified when any equipment or process is modified, if the equipment is moved or changes ownership, or if conditions on the permit need to be modified.

(EDD): In general, if your business will have employees and you will pay wages in excess of $100 during a calendar quarter or you hire domestic employees, contact the Employment Development Department for requirements pertaining to State Income Tax withholding, and Unemployment and Disability Insurance. Employment Tax Customer Service Office, 4820 McGrath Street, Ste 250, Ventura, CA 93003, (805) 654-4506, For forms only, call (805) 654-4505.

Franchise Tax Board: For information on the personal or corporate state taxes resulting from your business activities, contact the Franchise Tax Board at: 4820 McGrath Street, Ste 270, Ventura, CA 93003, (800) 852-5711.

Labor Commissioner: Contact the Labor Commissioner for labor standards, employer regulations, minimum wages/overtime, working conditions, and filing complaints:
411 E. Canon Perdido Street, Ste 3, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, (805) 568-1222.

• Employer Identification Tax Number, and
• Federal Withholding Taxes

The Small Business Administration (SBA) and the Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE): The SBA is an independent agency of the federal government whose mission is to "aid, counsel, and assist, insofar as possible, the interests of small business." It has many programs available, including loan and bond guarantees, publications, training, and special emphasis programs for international trade and selling to the government. Small Business Administration District Office, Economic Development Division, 330 North Brand Boulevard, Ste 1200, Glendale, CA 91203-2308, (818) 552-3209

SCORE is comprised of retired business people who donate their time and expertise to those wishing to start, buy-out, or expand a business. SCORE offers consultation, seminars, and clinics on internal small business operations, such as planning for future growth. Counseling is also available at most of the Chambers listed below: , (805) 204-6022

Copyright Information

For information and forms, review their website or call (202)707-3000. To order application forms, the number is (202)707-9100. TTY is (202)707-6737. The mailling address is Library of Congress, Copyright Office, 101 Independence Avenue, S.E., Washington, D.C. 20559-6000.

Patent & Trademark Information

2400 E. Ventura BLVD, Camarillo, CA 93010
(805) 484-4383

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354½ Central Avenue, Fillmore, CA 93015
(805) 524-0351

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785 South Seaward Avenue, Ventura, CA 93001
(805) 648-2875

Hispanic Chamber of Commerce,
200 W. 7th Street, Suite 4, Oxnard, CA 93030
(805) 486-0266

Mexican-American Chamber of Commerce,
P.O. Box 497, Santa Paula, CA 93061
(805) 525-0028

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225 W. Los Angeles Avenue, Moorpark, CA 93021
(805) 529-0322

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150 West Ojai Avenue, Ojai, CA 93023
(P.O. Box 1134 Ojai, CA 93024)
(805) 646-8126

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400 South A Street, Oxnard, CA 93030
(805) 385-8860

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220 North Market Street, Port Hueneme, CA 93041
(805) 488-2023

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200 North 10th Street, Santa Paula, CA 93060
(805) 525-5561

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40 West Cochran Street, Ste 100, Simi Valley, CA 93065
(805) 526-3900