1960 Tate Street
East Palo Alto, CA 94303
650-853-3195

Small Business Resources

SMALL BUSINESS

Starting a Business in East Palo Alto
Welcome to the City of East Palo Alto. Our staff is looking forward to helping you establish your business in East Palo Alto and providing you with information on services and regulations.

For more information contact: Raquel Medina, Redevelopment/Economic Development Coordinator (650/853-3195)

Locating Your Business
Before you sign a lease, purchase a commercial building, or begin operating a business from your home, please check with the City of East Palo Alto’s Planning Division to determine if your business complies with the City’s General Plan and Zoning Ordinances.

The East Palo Alto’s Planning Division is located at 1960 Tate Street, East Palo Alto, CA 94303, (650/853-3185).

Business License
All businesses including home businesses that operate within the City of East Palo Alto are required to obtain a business license. Click here: BUSINESS LICENCE APPLICATION FORM (PDF, 227k) to download a business license application.

For more information about obtaining a business license contact the East Palo Alto Planning Division at (650/853-3185).

USEFUL BUSINESSES RESOURCES AND CONTACT INFORMATION

Seller’s Permit
Both Wholesalers and retailers must apply for a seller’s permit.

For more information, call the State Board of Equalization at (800/400-7115), website www.boe.ca.gov

Federal and State Identification Numbers
If you employ workers, you must have a State Identification Number and a Federal Employer Identification Number to report employee taxes.

For more information contact the State Board of Equalization at (800/400-7115), website www.boe.ca.gov and the Internal Revenue Service at (800/829-3676), website: www.irs.gov .

Fictitious Names
If you plan to use a name different from your own, you will need to check with the County of San Mateo to make sure no one else is using that name.

For more information contact the County Clerk at www.co.sanmateo.ca.us .

Contractors License
All contractors that operate in East Palo Alto are required to maintain a contractor’s license. For more information contact the California State Contractor’s Licensing Board at (800/321-2752), website: www.cslb.ca.gov .

Local Business Assistance
Local organizations that provide assistance to businesses in the community include:

The East Palo Alto Bell-Haven Chamber of Commerce provides opportunities for small businesses to interact and connect with other businesses on a regular basis. Mixers are usually held once per month at various locations. To find out more about our local chamber and activities, please call (650/482-9711) or access its website at: www.epa.net/epabhcc

Start Up trains and supports entrepreneurs who have limited access to resources to help them create prosperity for themselves and their communities. Business training courses are offered in Spanish and English. For more information, please call (650/650-321-2193), website: www.startupepa.org .