| 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. “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.
NEWS &
EVENTS FOR LOCAL BUSINESSES....
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SANTA MONICA BUSINESS INFORMATION,
ADVICE AND SUPPORT
Business
Assistance |
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Santa
Monica Small Business Development Center
Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce
NEW
Commercial Properties in Santa Monica--a
list of 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! |
| Business
Climate - Economics & Demographics |
| |
Economic and Demographic Profile
For further information or statistics on Santa Monica,
e-mail the Economic Development Division or call at (310) 458-8906. |
| Business
Fees, Licenses and Special Districts |
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Business Classifications--For business classifications and fee
categories, see Section VI in the
Municipal Code. |
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Business License Information
Contact information: (310) 458-8745 or email:
license@smgov.net |
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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:
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 |
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Environmental & Public
Works Management |
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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.
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Construction Approval Process--A
helpful guide if you need to do
construction.
Environmental, Recycling and Sustainable
City Programs--For more information
on Sustainable Works,
business sustainability grants,
awards and news updates.
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 environmenal health information
for businesses, including food safety
guidelines, food inspection results and pest
control tips. |
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Planning Information |
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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 |
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Transportation Management Office Division |
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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.
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Useful Contacts for Local Businesses
and the
WEC
Small Business Toolkit
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