Starting a Business in Vacaville

Welcome! This information was complied to assist those who are seriously considering starting their own business. We hope it will be helpful and wish you the best of luck in your new adventure!

BUSINESS LICENSE:

Business licenses are permits that allow businesses to operate within the city limits of the City of Vacaville. They serve as a registration of businesses and are revenue generating, not regulatory. Practically all businesses, professional and trades operating in Vacaville, are required to have a business tax certificate (business license). You can obtain a business license at Vacaville City Hall, 650 Merchant Street, Vacaville, CA 95688. Phone (707) 449-5129.

Click here for a BUSINESS LICENSE TAX APPLICATION

Click here for a BUSINESS LICENSE FEE SCHEDULE

HOME OCCUPATION PERMIT:

You may obtain a Home Occupation Permit from the City of Vacaville Planning Department located at 650 Merchant Street, Vacaville, CA 95688. A variance is necessary is if a business is in a residential area.

Click here for a HOME OCCUPATION PERMIT

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAMES:

Any business firm name that does not include the surname of the individual owning the business must file a Fictitious Business Name Statement with the County Clerk of the County in which the business is located. Within 30 days of filing the statement, the registrant is required to publish this statement in a newspaper of general circulation in the County (four insertions, one a week for four weeks). The Solano County Clerk is located at 675 Texas Street, Suite 1900, Fairfield, CA 94533. (707) 784-7510. Click here for more information about the COUNTY CLERK!

WHO NEEDS A CITY OF VACAVILLE BUSINESS LICENSE?

Anyone who is doing business within the City limits of Vacaville - even if only for one day.
Anyone living in Vacaville who is doing business from their home.
Anyone who has a business office or satellite office within Vacaville.

WHAT ARE THE BUSINESS CLASSIFICATIONS?

The City of Vacaville has four business classifications:

Service - bookkeeper, childcare, ect.
Retail / Wholesale / Manufacturing - restaurants, video stores, sales, ect.
Contractors - construction, electrical, plumbing, ect.
Professional - consultants, realtors, medical, ect.

For further information on the fee schedule, call (707) 449-5129.

WHAT DO I NEED TO DO TO GET MY BUSINESS LICENSE?

You will need to complete a City of Vacaville Business License Application. Your business must be licensed to a physical location. The City of Vacavlle cannot issue a business license to a post office box. A post office box may be used ONLY for a mailing address. If your business does not have a commercial location, the city can license your business to your home with an approved Home Occupation Permit. If you are a contractor, you will need to provide a copy of your pocket license issued by the State. If you are a handyman and do not have a contractors license, you are limited to $500 per job including material and labor. If you will be selling firearms, the city will need a copy of your Certificate of Eligibility from the Department of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF).

WHO ELSE NEEDS A BUSINESS LICENSE?

Vending companies
Apartments
Mobile Home Parks
Motels
Taxi Companies - must register with the Vacaville Police Department prior to submitting an application.

For more information, please call the City of Vacaville Finance Division at:

(707) 449-5129.

More Useful Information for Businesses

City of Vacaville Business License
City of Vacaville Finance Division
650 Merchant Street
Vacaville, CA 95688
(707) 449-5129

Home Occupation Permit
City of Vacaville Planning Department
650 Merchant Street
Vacaville, CA 95688
(707) 449-5140

Transient Occupancy Tax
City of Vacaville Finance Division
650 Merchant Street
Vacaville, CA 95688
(707) 449-5129
Click here for Transient Occupancy Form. (Interactive PDF) Required for hotels, motels, and inns.

Solicitor’s (Peddler's) Permit
City of Vacaville - Police Department
630 Merchant St
Vacaville, Ca 95688
(707) 449-5229
Necessary if you plan to solicit in any Vacaville residential area. Business License must be approved prior to applying.

Filing a Corporation

Secretary of State

1500 11^th St 3^rd Floor RM 345

Sacramento, CA 95814

(916) 653-3365

Exterior Business Signs
City of Vacaville - Community Development
650 Merchant St
Vacaville, CA 95688
(707) 449-5140 (Planning); (707) 449-5152 (Building)
For commercial locations within city limits – check with both the Planning and Building divisions regarding sign requirements.

Better Business Bureau

510 16^th St suite #550

Oakland, CA 94612

(510) 238-1000

www.bbb.org

Taxi Companies or Drivers
City of Vacaville - Police Department
630 Merchant St
Vacaville, CA 95688
(707) 449-5229

Solano County Business License
Department of Resource Management
675 Texas Street, Suite 5500
Fairfield, CA 94533
(707) 784-6765
www.solanocounty.com
Must obtain if in the unincorporated area of Vacaville.

Fictitious Name Statement
County Clerk
675 Texas Street, Suite 1900
Fairfield, CA 94533
(707) 784-7510
www.solanocounty.com

Must use surname at beginning of title - i.e., SMITH'S CLOTHES need not apply. CLOTHES BY SMITH must apply. No checks or credit cards accepted need cash, cashier's check, or money order.

State Sales Tax Permit, or Seller’s Permit or Wholesale
State Board of Equalization
333 Sunset #330
Suisun City, CA 94585
(707) 428-2041
www.boe.ca.gov
You must have your Social Security card with you and a valid Business License if you have a Seller's Permit. Need if selling tangible personal property in CA.

State Employer Identification Number
EDD Office
3321 Power Inn Rd suite # 220
Sacramento, CA 95826
(888) 745-3886
www.edd.ca.gov
Must have if any employer is not a family member.

Federal Employer Identification Number
Internal Revenue Service
4340 Watt Ave.
Sacramento, CA 95821
(800) 829-4933
www.irs.gov
Must have if employee is not a family member. Download form SS4, fill out and call the number above.

California Certificate of Eligibility
California Department of Justice, Firearms
P.O. Box 820200
Sacramento, CA 94203
(916) 227-3703 (general information)
www.ag.ca.gov/firearms
California law requires dealers to have a Certificate of Eligibility, a Seller’s Permit, a Local Business License, and a valid FFL (see California Penal Code Section 12071).

Filing a Limited Partnership or Corporation
Secretary of State
1500 11th St 3rd Floor RM 345
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 653-3365
www.sos.ca.gov

Non-Profit (501-C3)

Secretary of State

(916) 657-5448

Same as above

Contractor’s
California State Contractors Board
9835 Goethe RD
Sacramento, CA 95826
(800) 321-2752
www.cslb.ca.gov
Must have if a job is more than $500 (labor & materials). All subcontractors must have a Business License as well as a Contractor’s License.

Automotive Repair License
Automotive Repair Bureau
10220 Systems Parkway #D
Sacramento, CA 95827
(800) 952-5210
www.dca.ca.gov
Garage or station with mechanics.

Health Department Number or Certification
Environmental Management
675 Texas St, Ste 5500
Fairfield, CA 94533
(707) 784-6765
www.solanocounty.com
For all restaurants or food vendors

Department of Consumer Affairs
Department of Consumer Affairs
400 R St #1080
Sacramento, CA 95814
(800) 952-5210
www.dca.ca.gov

Alcohol and Beverage Control
3810 Rosin Court Suite. 150
Sacramento, CA 95834 (916) 263-6900
www.abc.ca.gov
For all bars, restaurants, and liquor stores.

Child Care
Health & Human Services Agencies
101 Golf Course Dr Ste #A-230
Rohnert Park, CA 94928
(707) 588-5026 www.ccld.ca.gov
Must be state licensed if watching children from more than one family. Must have a City Business License and Home Daycare License if there are more than 8 children. Information available for elder care also.

Solano College Small Business Development Center

Solano College Small Business Development Center

360 Campus Ln Ste 102

Fairfield, CA 94534

(707) 864-3382