Business Licenses & Permits

CalGold assists you in finding appropriate permit information for your business. It also provides contact information for the various agencies that administer and issue these permits.

The County of Nevada does not require a business license. There are two incorporated cities in Nevada County which do require a business license; they are Grass Valley and Nevada City. If you are conducting business within either of the above named cities you will need to contact that city hall (Grass Valley 530-274-4300, Nevada City 530-265-2496).[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]There are some instances when you will need to file both a fictitious business name statement with the County and a business license with a city. A business license is NOT required to conduct business in the Town of Truckee; however, a Home Occupation Permit is required in some instances.

A business license IS required within the incorporated city limits of the City of Grass Valley, an area including the Whispering Pines Industrial Park, the Spring Hill area on Idaho-Maryland Road, the Pine Creek Shopping Center, the Brunswick Basin, and the Grass Valley Shopping Center. A business license IS required within the incorporated city limits of the City of Nevada City.

Nevada County Cities

Nevada County Business Connections

Resources to build and grow your business in Nevada County

California Department of Consumer Affairs

Some occupations such as accountants, cosmetologists, optometrists, etc., may require additional state licensing. Contact the State of California, Department of Consumer Affairs to determine what licensing board governs your profession.

Nevada County Tax Collector

Commonly Requested Ordinances

Nevada County Recorder’s Office

If you operate a business under any name other than your own, you must file a fictitious business name statement. This is also referred to as a DBA (doing business as). Forms are available at the Recorder’s office, the Economic Resource Council, and the Chambers of Commerce. The completed form must be filed with the Nevada County Recorder’s Office. Within thirty days of filing for the fictitious business name, you must run a “Fictitious Business Name Statement” in a local newspaper with a general circulation. This statement will run weekly for four weeks. At the end of the four weeks, the newspaper will issue an affidavit of publication, which must be returned to the County Recorder within 30 days.

Registration of Trademark/Trade Name, Patent, Corporate Filings, Notary Public, etc.

To register a trademark or trade name, find out specifics regarding corporate filings, notary public regulations, international business relations program, etc.

Environmental Health Permit

An Annual Certificate of Operation (C of O) is required for businesses that dispense food to the public; pump septage; operate community water systems with less than 199 connections, centralized sewage systems, underground storage tanks (USTs), public pools or beaches; store, generate, or recycle hazardous materials. The C of O permit is issued by the Department of Environmental Health and is required prior to operation.

Seller’s Permit/Sales and Tax Permit

All businesses involved in the sale or lease of tangible personal property must register with the California State Board of Equalization for a seller’s permit, resale license or wholesale license. This permit will provide you with a registered resale number, which you are required to use when conducting business. Permits must be posted where they are clearly visible. You may register for a seller’s permit in person or by mail. Call the 800 number below to get an application or download one from the BOE website. To obtain more information on seller’s permit, resale license or wholesale license, contact the State Board of Equalization District Office in Sacramento.

Home Occupation Permits (For Home-Based Businesses)

All businesses involved in the sale or lease of tangible personal property must register with the California State Board of Equalization for a seller’s permit, resale license or wholesale license. This permit will provide you with a registered resale number, which you are required to use when conducting business. Permits must be posted where they are clearly visible. You may register for a seller’s permit in person or by mail. Call the 800 number below to get an application or download one from the BOE website. To obtain more information on seller’s permit, resale license or wholesale license, contact the State Board of Equalization District Office in Sacramento.

Business Property Tax

Businesses are required to file an Assessor’s Business Property Statement annually, when requested by the Assessor or when equipment and fixture costs reach a total of $100,000. The form can be downloaded from the Assessor’s web site.

Planning & Zoning

[vc_column_text]Before applying for any business license or permit, make sure your business meets local zoning requirements and any construction conforms to local building codes. Usually, building permits are required for new construction as well as building improvements and change in occupancy. If you are seeking a location for your business, thoroughly investigate zoning ordinances through the local planning department to be sure that your choice is zoned for your particular business activity. In some cases, zoning regulations will require a type of use permit for your business.

Planning

Building