Licenses & Permits to Start a Business
in Solano and Napa Counties
Below is information on the main licenses and permits you need to start your business, along with contacts for Solano and Napa Counties.
In addition, we suggest you use CalGOLD to ensure you are aware of ALL of the requirements for your type of business and location.
CalGOLD is a California search tool for discovering which licenses are necessary for your business based on the type of your business and its location.
Licenses & Permits in Solano County
Business Licenses
File at the city or county where your Business is located.
Business licenses are required before your business can begin. In order to operate your business, you must comply with city, state, and federal rules and regulations.
Business licenses can typically be purchased at City Hall and the price ranges from $40 and up, depending on the number of persons you intend to employ. Businesses located in, or conducting a portion of their business within any of the cities or unincorporated area of Solano County should contact that city regarding the requirements for a business license.
Solano County Cities
- City of Benicia Website | 707-266-7059
- City of Dixon Website | 707-678-7000
- City of Fairfield Website | 707-428-7509
- City of Rio Vista Website | 707-374-6447
- Suisun City Website | 707-421-7300
- City of Vacaville Website | 707-449-5185
- City of Vallejo Website | 707- 302-6074
Unincorporated Solano County
Solano County also requires a business license if you are in an unincorporated part of the county, except for childcare businesses (requires other licensing):
Solano County Dept. of Resource Mgmt.
Website | 707-784-6765
Fictitious Business Name: File at County Clerk’s Office
You are required to file a Fictitious Business Name if the business name you have chosen is different from your own legal name. For example, if your legal name is John Jones and you have chosen a name that includes your last name (“John Jones House Repair” or “Jones House Repair”), then you do not need to file.
The Fictitious Business Name Statement is filed with the county government. For a small fee, a notice will run in the local newspaper announcing the creation of your fictitious business name. Be sure to check the availability of your desired business name.
California Business Name Availability provides information on how to check to make sure a business name does not already exist and may be used.
After filing, your fictitious name must be published in local print media – once a week for four consecutive weeks in a local adjudicated newspaper. The clerk’s office will provide a list of adjudicated local newspapers at the time the statement is filed.
For information on filing a fictitious business name in Solano County, visit the Solano County Clerk’s Office. The cost for registering a single fictitious business name with one registrant is $50. Each additional business name and/or registrant name is $7 per DBA and/or registrant.
Check your Zoning in Solano County
It is imperative to determine zoning regulations and requirements prior to signing any lease or contract, including the purchase of commercial real estate.
The intended location of your business must have the proper zoning for your planned use of the site.
If you will be operating the business out of your home you must follow the requirements for home occupants, if any, in your municipality.
You should also visit your city and county Planning Department to find zoning maps, permit forms, and information about the various planning requirements. If you are not in an unincorporated area of the county, you need only check with county planning.
Solano County Planning Website | 707-746-4320
- Benicia City Planning Website | 707-746-4320
- Dixon City Planning Website | 707-678-7000
- Fairfield City Planning Website | 707-428-7461
- Rio Vista City Planning Website | 707-374-6451
- Suisun City Planning Website | 707-421-7335
- Vacaville City Planning Website | 707-449-5100
- Vallejo City Planning Website | 707-648-8604
Licenses & Permits in Napa County
City of Napa Guide
The City of Napa Business has an excellent Startup Guide.
This step-by-step guide to navigating the city’s application and permitting process. If you’re starting in the City of Napa, we suggest starting with the Startup Guide.
Business Licenses
File at the city/town where your Business is located.
Business licenses are required before your business can begin. In order to operate your business, you must comply with city, state, and federal rules and regulations.
Business licenses can typically be purchased at City Hall and the price ranges from $40 and up, depending on the number of persons you intend to employ.
Napa County Cities
- City of American Canyon Website | 707-647-4354
- City of Calistoga Website | 866-240-3665
- City of Napa Website | 707-257-9508
- City of St. Helena Website | 707-967-2792
- Town of Yountville Website | 707-944-8851
Unincorporated Napa County
Napa County does not require a business license if you are in the unincorporated part of Napa County.
Fictitious Business Name: File at County Clerk’s Office
You are required to file a Fictitious Business Name if the business name you have chosen is different from your own legal name. For example, if your legal name is John Jones and you have chosen a name that includes your last name (“John Jones House Repair” or “Jones House Repair”), then you do not need to file.
The Fictitious Business Name Statement is filed with the county government. For a small fee, a notice will run in the local newspaper announcing the creation of your fictitious business name. Be sure to check the availability of your desired business name.
California Business Name Availability provides information on how to check to make sure a business name does not already exist and may be used.
After filing, your fictitious name must be published in local print media – once a week for four consecutive weeks in a local adjudicated newspaper. The clerk’s office will provide a list of adjudicated local newspapers at the time the statement is filed.
For information on filing a fictitious business name in Napa County, visit the Napa County Clerk’s Office. The cost for registering a single fictitious business name with one registrant is $50. Each additional business name and/or registrant name is $7 per DBA and/or registrant.
Check your Zoning in Napa County
It is imperative to determine zoning regulations and requirements prior to signing any lease or contract, including the purchase of commercial real estate.
The intended location of your business must have the proper zoning for your planned use of the site.
If you will be operating the business out of your home you must follow the requirements for home occupants, if any, in your municipality.
You should also visit your city and county Planning Department to find zoning maps, permit forms, and information about the various planning requirements. If you are not in an unincorporated area of the county, you need only check with county planning.
Napa County Planning Website | 707-253-4417
State, Federal, Other Licenses
Seller’s Permit / Sales Tax License: Obtain from the state – CDTFA
You must obtain a California seller’s permit if you are (1) engaged in business in California and
(2) selling or renting tangible personal property that would ordinarily be subject to sales tax if sold at retail.
Retailers, wholesalers, and manufacturers must obtain seller’s permits from the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration online or in person. When you sell tangible products, you collect sales tax and will remit that tax to the state periodically (annually, quarterly, or monthly depending on your sales).
The California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA) collects California State sales tax and use taxes. CDTFA also monitors special taxation items such as fuel, alcohol, and tobacco.
View the CDTFA website or call 800-400-7115 www.cdtfa.ca.gov
For additional information and guidelines on sales taxes, see TaxJar.com
What is Nexus?
If you sell products in other states and have a business presence in a location (office, retail or location, or have a full-time employee living in the state), you have Nexus, and you will have to pay sales tax when you make sales of tangible items in that state.
If you sell over $100,000 in any state, you have economic Nexus in that state and will also need to collect and remit sales tax in that state.
Resale Certificate
Related to your Seller’s Permit is your California Resale Certificate.
In California, when purchasing items for resale, you can avoid paying the sales tax by giving your supplier a business’s resale certificate – a form you fill out that includes your seller’s permit number and additional information. A resale certificate indicates the item was in good faith that the purchaser would resell the item and report tax on the final sale.
Resale certificates identify a business as having the right to make certain nontaxable purchases. These include wholesale items for resale and items that are purchased for use in the manufacture of products for resale. Resale certificates prevent the double collection of sales tax on products. Sales tax is collected further down the road when the item is purchased by the final customer.
View Publication 103 about purchases for resale at cdtfa.ca.gov/formspubs/pub103/#resale
Employer Identification Number (EIN): Obtain from the IRS
Your Federal Tax ID number, otherwise known as the Employer Identification Number (EIN), is comparable to a Social Security number for your business. You can obtain an EIN by filling out Form SS-4 which is available online at:
Everything you need to know about Employer ID Numbers (EIN) can be found at irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-selfemployed/do-you-need-an-ein
Other Requirements
Check CalGOLD for additional requirements based on your type of business and location. calgold.ca.gov
NOTE: This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute advice. For the most up-to-date information, contact the organizations directly or visit CalGold.
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