BUSINESS
INFORMATION INDEX
BUSINESS CONTACTS
v City Hall
v Basic Services
BUSINESS LICENSE INFORMATION
v What is Business license
v Who needs a Business License
v When and Where do I obtain a Business License
v Is a Business License all I need to conduct business legally
v Other Permits required from the City of Loma Linda
WHO TO CONTACT
v Zoning and Home Occupation Requirements
v Business License
v Sign Ordinance
v Regulations Affecting Businesses
v San Bernardino County Health/Food Permit
BUSINESS LICENSE
v Application Form
STOREFRONT REBATE PROGRAM
v Program Guidelines and Application
CITY OF LOMA LINDA
NEW BUSINESS CONTANCTS
City Hall
Building Permits Civic Center, 25541 Barton Rd 909-799-2835
Business License Civic Center, 25541 Barton Rd 909-799-2846
Economic Development Civic Center, 25541 Barton Rd 909-799-2895
Engineering Civic Center. 25541 Barton Rd 909-799-4400
Fire Prevention/Inspection Civic Center, 25541 Barton Rd 909-799-2850
Planning/Zoning Civic Center, 25541 Barton Rd 909-799-2830
Finance Civic Center, 25541 Barton Rd 909-799-2840
Redevelopment Agency Civic Center, 25541 Barton Rd 909-799-2895
BASIC SERVICES
Gas
So. California Gas Co. 624 W. 4th Street, San Bernardino 800-427-2200
Electricity
So. California Edison Co. 287 Tennessee St. Redlands 800-655-4555
Water
City of Loma Linda 25541 Barton Rd, Loma Linda 909-799-2800
Refuse Collection
Republic Services 2059 Steel Rd, Colton 909-370-3377
Telephone
Verizon 1440 So. E. Street, San Bernardino
Business 1-800-482-6712
Residence 1-800-482-6711
Business Weights and Measures
San Bernardino General Service, Weights and Measures
320 East D. Street, Ontario
CITY OF LOMA LINDA
BUSINESS LICENSE INFORMATION
WHAT IS A BUSINESS LICENSE?
A license is a business tax paid to the City in order to conduct business legally within the city limits. The purpose of the license is to generate revenue for the City to provide street maintenance, police and fire protection and many other community services
WHO NEEDS A BUSINESS LICENSE?
It is a requirement of the City of Loma Linda that any business, trade, profession, calling or occupation conducting business within the City shall procure a license.
WHEN AND WHERE DO I OBTAIN A BUSINESS LICENSE?
A license must be obtained before the onset of business. Obtaining your license prior to conducting business will allow you to avoid penalties that could be incurred.
To obtain a license you must visit the Business License office located at 25541 Barton Road or call (909) 799-2846. The application must be completed and the license fees paid at this time.
Please note that depending of the type of business you may be required to show copies of permits from other governmental agencies.
IS A BUSINESS LICENSE ALL I NEED TO CONDUCT BUSINESS LEGALLY?
No. Depending on the type of business you are conducting, you may need to obtain other permits from other departments within the city and/or from other governmental agencies. The following are some of the permits that may be necessary for your business.
OTHER PERMITS REQUIRED FROM THE CITY OF LOMA LINDA?
If your business will be located in a commercial or industrial zone you will need to obtain a Land Use Change of Occupancy Permit from the Community Development Department.
If you will be conducting business from your home, located within the City of Loma Linda, you will need to obtain a Home Occupation Permit from the Community Development Department.
CITY OF LOMA LINDA
BUSINESS REQUIREMENTS
Who to Contact…the City or the County?
Both Cities and counties have planning departments, building departments, and so on. If your business is located in an unincorporated area, the county controls ALL your requirements. If you business is in a city, the city controls MOST of you requirements. Typically, the county continues to control health and food permits, hazardous waste regulations, and other pollution regulations.
By the way…if your business is located out of the city, you are in an unincorporated area, even if you have a city post office!
Who to call if you are located within the City
The basic information contained below applies to both cities and counties; however, we have only included the phone number and addresses for Loma Linda Offices. Usually, cities use the same department names as the County. Therefore, you can contact your city and ask for the same department and they will advise you about their particular requirements.
Zoning and Home Occupation Requirements
Loma Linda Community Development Department
25541 Barton Rd., Loma Linda, CA 92354
(909) 799-2830
Before you sign a lease, call the Development Department to verify that your proposed use and location comply with zoning requirements. Request a copy of the restrictions and allowances for that location.
If your planned use does not comply with zoning requirements, you must apply for a special zoning permit. Ask the Community Development Department what information they need from you, the approximate cost, the estimated time, and the likelihood that your special use will be approved. Be sure to ask if you are required to attend any City Council or Development Committee meetings.
If you are starting a home occupation business, you must agree to comply with the City’s home occupation restrictions by signing a home occupation business application.
Business License
You must obtain a business license to conduct business in Loma Linda. Depending upon your type of business, your business tax will be computed using your gross receipts, gross payroll or manufacturing “value added”. Note: If you conduct business in any other city, you should contact their city hall to learn about business requirements.
Business Tax Office, Loma Linda Finance Department
25541 Barton Road, Loma Linda, CA 92354
(909) 799-2846
Make sure you have registered your business with all the state and federal government offices first.
Visit or call the Business Tax Office to obtain an application for a Business License. Certain businesses have a special application. Describe your business and ask what the first year’s business tax and future tax will be. Ask when the taxes will be due in the future.
Sign Ordinance
Cities and counties have two concerns with signs: general appearance and public safety. Thus, they require sign permits and building permits whenever you install, move, or remove signs.
All business signs must be approved by the Community Development Department. The number and size of each sign usually depends on your local store frontage. Sometimes they are very particular about the colors you use and whether the sign flashes or not. We suggest you find out about the City’s regulations before you’ve spent any money.
Loma Linda Community Development Department
25541 Barton Road, Loma Linda, CA 92354
(909) 799-2830
Before you invest any money in signage, measure your store frontage. Call the Community Development Department to verify that your proposed sign complies with the basic restrictions and ask for the following requirements:
# of signs permitted
Size of each sign
Total sign allotment
Placement
Design/color restrictions
Ask the Community Development Department to mail you a sign permit application so you will know what documentation you must provide. Most applications require the building owner’s approval, plans & specifications, color and material descriptions, etc.
Before you make the sign, submit the completed application with your fee to the Community Development Department. Ask them how long the approval process will take and if you have to attend any approval meeting or take any other action.
Once your permit is approved, ask the Community Development Department if you must have a building permit to install the sign. Usually, any sign that isn’t painted on a building requires a building permit. Now, you can construct and install the sign.
City and County Permits
Cities and Counties are responsible for public safety, and thus have a myriad of permits required for new businesses. A rule of thumb: Before you begin any remodeling or even simple re-arranging ( of signs, planter, etc, ) be sure to call the County to find out what permits are needed, the cost, and the proper procedure.
Typical Permits
Building, Electrical & Plumbing Loma Linda Community Development
25541 Barton Road, Loma Linda, CA 92354
Fire & Safety Loma Linda Department of Public Safety
(909) 799-2850
The Fire Division inspects all businesses annually.
be sure to contact them to verify that they have a
master key for your location and to find out if your
must meet other requirements.
Hazardous Materials Loma Linda Department of Public Safety
(909) 799-2850
San Bernardino County Environmental Health Dept.
385 N. Arrowhead Ave., San Bernardino, CA
(909) 387-3080
Before you start your business or lease space, talk to the County about your plans. This is especially important if you plan to do remodeling our use equipment. Sometimes, the County requires the entire facility to be brought up to code before issuing a permit. Thus, you may just want to upgrade your sink, but the county may require new flooring, electrical changes, and a handicapped entrance to your business. Also, don’t assume that because your predecessor used the existing location (or equipment), you can. County officials may require upgrades before you are issued occupancy permits.
We have only listed the commonly required permits. Contact the county to learn about permits for your business, particularly before you do anything that might endanger the public (transporting hazardous waste, etc.)
Regulations Affecting Businesses
Cities and counties have many regulations affecting certain types of businesses or situations. Examples include parking restrictions and bans on use of certain hazardous materials. The City Clerk’s Office at (909) 799-2819 can advise you of regulations affecting your particular business.
San Bernardino County Health/Food Permit
If you sell or handle food, you must obtain a permit from the County Health Services Department. Warning: the regulations for selling and handling food are extensive and precise. Do not sign a lease or buy equipment until you have talked with all the agencies discussed below.
California prohibits you from selling food prepared in your home.
Just because a facility is being used to prepare or sell food today, doesn’t mean the Health Department will let you use the same facilities. Before you sign a lease, call the Health Department and ask them to do a walk-through with you. They can advise you whether the equipment and facility are generally acceptable. Also, ask to see the County’s files on the facility to see the past violations or problems.
San Bernardino County Environmental Heath Department
Plan Check: Ontario (909) 391-7568
San Bernardino (909) 387-4608
Victorville (619) 243-8141
Before you can get a permit, you must submit a plan for approval. Before you prepare a plan:
Check you location – do traffic count. Is there enough traffic to support your business? Check county zoning to make sure your planned use is approved. Determine exactly what food you want to sell. The exact type of food determines the requirements you must meet. Remember, these regulations are very extensive and very precise.
Now you are ready to prepare a plan:
Call the County Health Department and request a copy of the regulations for your type of food establishment serving your specific type of food.
Prepare a complete, detailed plan showing what equipment you will use (including model number), what material will be used to finish the walls, floors, ceilings, plumbing, electricity, ventilation…Talk to the Health Department to make sure your plan includes all the details that they need. Submit you plan to the Health Department for final approval.
Assuming your plan is approved by the Health Department, you will need to get approval from the:
Building Department (for building, electrical & plumbing)
Local Sanitary Sewer District (especially if your operation will discard large amounts of grease or other materials)
Fire Department
You’re Insurance Broker: many insurance companies have specific requirement in order to receive lower rates.
There is a plan check fee to review you initial plan. The amount of fee depends on the type of establishment. After your plan is approved, you must pay annual health permit fees, for a yearly health permit and inspection services. The county will inspect your business at least 4 times a year and more often if they receive complaints. Permit fees depend on the number of seats you restaurant serves or the type of establishment (snack bar, cocktail lounge, etc.). Common fees are $200-$600/year.