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 Doing Business in Santa Monica
This section is intended to be a source of information for businesses looking to come to Santa Monica, as well as for businesses already here. If you wish a specific piece of information and don't find it here, please don't hesitate to e-mail us or call us at (310) 458-8906.

NEWS & EVENTS FOR LOCAL BUSINESSES....
 


City of Santa Monica Economic Development Department Update

Click here to find out more about activities the City is undertaking to support local businesses. 

 

Buy Local Logo

 

Think Santa Monica first!  Many of the everyday items, services and specialty products that you may head out of town for are right here at home - in Santa Monica!  And your purchases are doing more good than you think - buying local supports a sustainable Santa Monica, nurtures the community and keeps dollars in Santa Monica's economy.  To find a local business, click here.  For more information on Buy Local Santa Monica, visit www.buylocalsantamonica.com.

 

 

 

A Green Business Opportunity Roundtable--Thursday, July 23rd from 8-11 a.m. at Santa Monica Library, MLK Auditorium.  Join Los Angeles business and industry executives as they share insights and expertise on the direction of "green" in this new economy and the impact of messaging and communication on the consumer mindset.  They will share examples of how corporations are changing their business practices and adjusting their business models to address the growing concerns of consumers.  Hear what impact this will have on the future of our workforce. Organized by Santa Monica College Workforce and Economic Development in partnership with the City of Santa Monica Economic Development Department.   FREE admission but registration required:   www.greenbusinesseventbrite.com.  For more information, contact Ruth Casillas at: casillas_ruth@smc.edu or (310)434-4040. client being counseled

 

Business Boot Camp (2-day course)--Tuesday + Wednesday, August 4th + 5th from 6:15 - 9:15pm at SMC-Bundy Campus.  This 2-day course inspires entrepreneurship and equips you with the skills to drive home more business.  The first day teaches you how to create a successful business model and plan. The second day stirs your inner-creativity as you learn business marketing and establishment.  Business Boot Camp inspires entrepreneurship and equips you with the skills to drive home more business. This is an excellent follow-up class to the Energy Efficiency Training. For more information, email Stuart.Cooley@smgov.net.  Location:  Santa Monica College Bundy Campus, 3171 S. Bundy Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90066

 

 

Bloblive: Open Mic for Entrepreneurs--Every Monday from 6:30-9:30 p.m. in Santa Monica.  Check website for this week's location and to register:  www.bloblive.com

 

Congratulations to the 2009 Sustainable Quality Awards winners! Sustainable Quality Awards recognize businesses and organizations for excellence in stewardship of the environment, social responsibility, and economic development.  

The 2009 Grand Prize winners are:  Bryan Cave, Saint John's Health Center, Taxi! Taxi! and Whole Foods Market; Awards for excellence in stewardship of the environment:  Blair Graphics, Santa Monica College and Studio of Environmental Architecture; Awards for excellence in social responsibility: Business.com and Pluralistic School #1; and Awards for excellence in economic development awards: Community Corporation of Santa Monica and Blair Graphics.  For more information on the SQA, click here

 

 

Reducing the Cost of Business.  Southern California Edison (SCE) has a variety of programs and free services with cash incentives to help local businesses reduce their operating costs and manage their energy use.  Beneficiaries have included hotels, supermarkets and refrigerated warehouses, food service companies, telecommunication and cable firms, office buildings and many other types of businesses.   For more info, visit:  www.sce.com/RebatesandSavings/LargeBusiness/

 

FREE customer service training for local businesses...."I am Santa Monica" is an interactive workshop designed to encourage and empower Santa Monica businesses and their employees to become better informed about Santa Monica and all it has to offer.  It's a great opportunity to promote your business, provide free training to your employees and to connect with the community where you work.  To learn more, click here
 

SANTA MONICA BUSINESS INFORMATION,

ADVICE AND SUPPORT

Business Assistance

  Santa Monica Small Business Development Center (SBDC)

Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce

Finding a Property in Santa Monica--a list of commercial brokers

Opening a Business in Santa Monica (Flow Chart) -
Use this chart to familiarize yourself with the City's regulatory process BEFORE you sign that lease!

Doing Business in Santa Monica Made Easy"--Useful information for opening a business in Santa Monica, including an overview of planning, zoning, permits, licenses and sustainability.  Material presented at a recent "Doing Business" workshop held by City in collaboration with Santa Monica's Small Business Development Center.

Useful Contacts for Local Businesses and the WEC Small Business Toolkit
Business Climate - Economics & Demographics
  Economic and Demographic Profile
For further information or statistics on Santa Monica, click here to view the City of Santa Monica 2008-2008 Community Profile.  If you require additional information, contact us at  EconDevel@smgov.net or call (310) 458-8906.
Business Fees, Licenses and Special Districts
  Business Classifications--For business classifications and fee categories, see Section VI in the Municipal Code.
  Business License Information--Contact information: (310) 458-8745 or email:  license@smgov.net
  If you have a business in certain retail areas of the City, you may benefit from being associated with a business improvement district.  Likewise, if you own property within certain assessment areas, or have a triple net lease, you might need to pay assessments.  The category "Taxes" includes Transient Occupancy Taxes, Sales Taxes, and Utility Taxes.  See above for more info on Business License taxes. You might be subject to other taxes as well; it's best to consult your tax advisor, accountant, or industry's professional organizations to determine which will apply.

Assessment Districts:
   Downtown Mall Assessment District and Parking Developer Fee

Business Improvement Districts or Areas:
   Downtown Santa Monica Property Based Assessment District (PBAD)
  
Bayside & Downtown Mall Operations & Maintenance District 
  
Central Business District
  
Main Street Business Improvement Area
  
Montana Avenue Business Improvement Area 
  
Pico Boulevard Business Improvement District
  
Taxes

Environmental & Public Works
 

Your source for information relating to building permits and City services such as Engineering and Public Works, Solid Waste Management, Street Maintenance, Utilities, and Green Buildings Design and Construction Guidelines.

  Construction Approval Process A helpful guide if you need to do construction. 

Business Going Green: certification, free consulting, grants and awards programs.

Environmental, Recycling and Sustainable City Programs

Environmental Health and Food Safety Guidelines.  The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health conducts retail and wholesale food inspections for the City of Santa Monica.  This site  contains a variety of environmental health information for businesses, including food safety guidelines, food inspection results and pest control tips.

Planning Information
  Signage Requirements--To determine what kind and size of signage you may use for your business, we recommend that you review the Sign Code section of the Municipal code. Please be aware that you may not be able to use existing sign fixtures from a previous business, as all signs must be in compliance with the Sign Code by April, 2000.

Zoning Information--To find out what zoning applies to your business location see the Zoning District Map and GIS Information.  For further details on the City's Zoning Regulations And Districts click here.

For further information, please contact the Planning Department at (310) 458-8341

Transportation Management Office Division
  The City of Santa Monica and local businesses are committed to working together to improve air quality and reduce traffic congestion in Santa Monica.  Ordinance 1604 was designed to help reduce commute trips made by employees. It applies to businesses with 10 or more employees.  This link also provides advice on ride sharing, parking permits and traffic management plans.  For more information, contact (310) 458-8291. 

This page was last modified on 07/02/2009

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