New Business Start-Up Guidelines

The Development Services Department congratulates you on locating your business in Glendale!! So that you get off to a great start, we would like to provide some basic information that should prove useful in the event you have questions.

Zoning Use Certificate

Per Ordinance No. 5283, the City of Glendale requires every business to obtain a Zoning Use Certificate. The one time filing fee for this application is $157.76.

This certificate specifies the types of uses allowed as part of the business and certifies that the business is appropriate for the zone in which it is located. The application can be submitted with the plans for building modifications. Typically, if business operators complete all requirements, the Zoning Use Certificate is issued at the time the building permits are signed off by the inspector.

Zoning Use Certificates (ZUC) are not transferable. Any change in tenant or occupant of premises, or change in proprietor or owner of a business shall constitute a change for which a new ZUC is required. In addition, a new certificate is required should any change in location or change in proprietor occurs for the business.

To obtain a Zoning Use Certificate contact:

City of Glendale
Building & Safety Section
633 East Broadway, Room 101
Glendale, CA 91206
(818) 548-3200

Or download at http://www.ci.glendale.ca.us/pdf/App_Zoning-Use-Certificate.pdf

Fictitious Business Name

Prior to filing a fictitious name statement, it is recommended that you call the Los Angeles County Clerk's Office and determine if in fact your business name is already in use.

To check a name online http://www.lavote.net/clerk/FBN_Search.cfm

The first time filing fee for the Fictitious Business Name Statement is $23.00 for one business name and one registrant. The renewal filing fee for the Fictitious Business Name Statement is $18.00 for one business name and up to two registrants. There is an additional fee of $4.00 for both first time filing and renewal filing for each additional name and/or registrant.

Business name searches and/or filings can be conducted in person at the following Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk's office locations:

Norwalk Office
12400 Imperial Highway, 2nd Floor,
Searches, Room 2207, Filings, Room 2001
Norwalk, CA 90650
Office hours: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., M-F, except holidays
(562) 462-2177

Van Nuys District Office
14340 W. Sylvan Street
Van Nuys, CA 91401
Search hours: 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., M-F, except holidays
Business name filing hours are 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
(818) 376-3777

To file a fictitious name statement, you must contact a local newspaper/publication. The paper will file your DBA statement and publish your new business name.

Glendale News Press
221 N. Brand Blvd.
2nd Floor, Glendale.
818-637-3200.
glendalenewpress.com

For more information http://www.lavote.net/Clerk/Business_Name.cfm

State & Federal Taxes

Contact the State of California to file proper State Tax forms and obtain labor standards for employees. Obtain a State Board of Equalization resale permit, if required.

If your business will have employees other than yourself, contact the Employment Development Department for information on state withholding taxes, disability and unemployment insurance.

  • State Board of Equalization for "selling or acquiring any tangible items for repair or use in their business."
  • For businesses employing only the owners, contact the Franchise Tax Board for state withholding and corporation state taxes.
  • Contact the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for your employer identification number. The IRS will also provide a "business person's kit," seminars for new businesses, additional information and required forms.
  • Contact the Small Business Administration which provides financial and management training to assist you with taxes as well as your business operations.

Before you lease or buy a building, you should:

  1. Make sure that your business will be located in the proper zone. All cities, including Glendale, require businesses to operate in a zone that is appropriate for the type of uses that are a part of the business. Before you begin looking for a site, please contact Building & Safety at (818) 548-3200 to determine the legal locations appropriate for your type of business. Be sure to verify that your business is allowed in the zone before you sign a lease or purchase property!
  2. Verify that all building improvements have been permitted. Any modifications to the structure, including electrical, plumbing or HVAC work require building permits. Permits are also required for installation of interior walls and all doorways and windows. If there are no permits for existing improvements, contact your leasing agent immediately. If the previous owner or tenant did work without permits, you will be required to secure them as part of your permit application. Be knowledgeable about the types of signs you can install. Glendale has some limitations on the size and types of signs the City will allow. Before installing any signs, please check with the Building & Safety Department to be sure that they will be permitted. You will also be required to remove any previously installed un-permitted signs.

Home-based Businesses

If you are operating your business from your home, please be aware of the following requirements:

  • No employees may work on site.
  • No equipment or vehicles may be stored, parked, operated at, or dispatched from a home
  • No signs may be displayed.
  • No products or materials may be stored on the site.
  • You must obtain a Home Occupation Certificate from Building & Safety.
  • No customers may come to your home office.

Once you have signed a lease you will need to:

  • Obtain Building Permits for any improvements or remodeling you are planning or which were previously un-permitted. Do not do any renovation work or building modification without having first obtained a Building Permit! A licensed contractor must do all work with plans approved by the Building and Safety Department.
  • Check on a Business License. Glendale has no general business license; however certain specific types of businesses require a permit or license. These include: filming companies, billiard rooms, massage establishments, arcades, live entertainment/dancing, and second-hand dealers, just to name a few. To apply for your permit or license, contact the City Clerk at (818) 548-2090. Firearms dealers must obtain a permit from the Police Chief's Office. All building or trade contractors and engineers are required to obtain a license from the Building and Safety Department to conduct business in town. If your business requires a permit or license, you may not open or operate your business until you have obtained it.
  • Secure a refuse collection service. Glendale requires that you have adequate refuse collection services for your business. You may contract for service with the City's Integrated Waste Management Department at (818) 548-3916 or you may contract for service with a private company. Either way, refuse must be collected on a frequent enough schedule so that bins do not overflow and do not smell or attract pests and vermin.
  • Obtain a Health Permit. Contact L.A. County Department of Health for detailed rules.

Once your business is open, please be aware of Glendale's local Code requirements:

  • All merchandise must be displayed indoors, with the exception of live plant materials.
  • A-frame signs, freestanding or portable signs, or any signs not attached to the building are not permitted.
  • Property, including parking areas, parkways, curbs, sidewalks, and landscaping must be maintained at all times.
  • Remodeling or improvements of any kind require review and approval by the Building and Safety Department.
  • Property owners are required to remove graffiti within 24 hours, or may subscribe with the City's Graffiti Removal Program at (818) 548-3700, which will ensure the quick removal of graffiti on private property.
  • Outdoor storage of materials, equipment, etc. is prohibited.
  • Unwanted items may not be discarded on parkways or in alleys. The City operates a bulky item collection service, and pick-up must be pre-scheduling by calling Integrated Waste Management at (818) 548-3916.
  • A permit is required for any illuminated window sign. Non-illuminated signs on the interior surface of the window are permitted, however the combination of all window signs cannot cover more than 25% of the window area.
  • Banners, pennants and non-government flags are generally not allowed in our City. For any exceptions and the complete code dealing with sign regulations, visit the City of Glendale website at www.ci.glendale.ca.us Use the Quick Link to Municipal Codes and click on Title 30.128. You may also call Building and Safety with questions or concerns at (818) 548-3200.
  • All activities except grilling or barbecuing must be conducted indoors.