This guide is intended to help people who want to start a small business in California, with resources specific to the County and City of San Diego.
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San Diego Law Library provides free access to several educational databases that offer classes useful for business owners, including SkillShare and LearningExpress. For more information and for links to sign up see our Databases page.
City of San Diego - Economic Development Department
A local Economic Development Department dedicated to help small businesses succeed. The City sets aside millions of dollars each year for programs to help small businesses prosper. Their “10 Key Steps to Starting a Business” is a guide for those starting businesses within the San Diego city limits, with helpful resources and local information.
Office of City Treasurer - Business Tax Certificate
All businesses in the City of San Diego are required to have a Business Tax Certificate, including home-based businesses, self-employed persons, and independent contractors. This website explains the San Diego City Business Tax application process, required fees, application forms, and links to other business resources.
Small Business Administration San Diego District Office
The local office of the SBA can connect you with other local resources, including SCORE, Small Business Development Centers and Women's Business Centers. Sign up for email updates to get information about local events such as webinars.
SCORE "Counselors to America's Small Business" is a volunteer, non-profit organization providing free and confidential business counseling to both prospective entrepreneurs and existing small business owners throughout San Diego County. They also conduct a variety of low-cost workshops for establishing and managing a successful business. Entrepreneurs can receive counseling via e-mail, telephone, at one of the San Diego SCORE offices, or at their place of business.
San Diego County Fictitious Business Name Statements
This is the San Diego County Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk’s Office website. Any person who regularly transacts business for profit, UNDER A FICTITIOUS NAME, in the County of San Diego is required to file a Fictitious Business Name Statement with the Recorder/County Clerk. This site will explain the definition of a Fictitious Business Name and who is required to file one.
Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development
This web site provides links to a number of resources for starting, growing, financing, expanding, or relocating a business in California. Information is organized by category and provides links to public and private organizations, Federal, State and County agencies, and non-profit organizations.
CalGOLD - Business Permits Made Simple
This website provides links and contact information directing you to agencies that administer and issue business permits and licenses, as well as registration requirements from all levels of government.
The listings include descriptions of the requirements, the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of the agencies that administer those requirements and issue the permits and licenses. CalGOLD does not issue permits or licenses, nor does it offer information on specific license numbers.
California Tax Service Center - State of California
This website is a “Small Business Assistance Center,” a partnership of tax agencies, including the State Board of Equalization, Employment Development Department, State Franchise Tax Board, and the Internal Revenue Service. This resource is a one-stop source for small business tax information that is organized by category and provides links directly to the appropriate tax agency .
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)
The Small Business Administration offers programs and services to help your small business. The “Business Guide” includes information and resources that will help you at any stage of the business lifecycle: business planning; starting and financing a business; or managing and dissolving your business. This website contains a lot of useful, detailed information, such as online training, forms, local resources and links, and more.
This website provides information about starting a small business, including practical tips, tax and legal information. This is a Commerce Clearing House (CCH) resource sponsored by CCH Tax and Accounting, published by Wolters Kluwer.
Small Business Development Center - National Information Clearinghouse
This website contains links to sample business plans, industry information, business documents, and publications. SBDC Business Advisors are available for free, confidential business counseling.
SCORE: Counselors to America's Small Business - A Partner of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)