Starting A Business

If you are considering becoming a corporation, (either stock or nonprofit), a limited liability company or a partnership (limited, or limited liability), you must file with the Secretary of State’s Office.

If you have questions, click here for more information about filing business entities in California.

If you will be transacting business under a fictitious business name, you must first register that name with the Los Angeles County Registrar- Recorders/County Clerk.

Who Should File?

• Persons doing business for profit under a fictitious name (does not include surname in company name).
• The statement must be filed in county of principal place of business and may also be filed in other counties as long as the requirements for filing in the county of principal place of business have been met.
• Non-profit corporations, organizations or associations are not required to file a Fictitious Business Name Statement
• Requirements

An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is also known as a Federal Tax Identification Number, and is used to identify a business entity. Generally, businesses need an EIN. You may apply for an EIN in various ways, including online. This is a free service offered by the Internal Revenue Service and you can get your EIN immediately.

If you have questions, click here for more information about EIN numbers from the Internal Revenue Service.

If you operate a business and employ one or more employees, you must register as an employer with the Employment Development Department (EDD) when you pay wages in excess of $100 in a calendar quarter. If you are a household employer of one or more household workers, you must register with the EDD when you pay cash wages of $750 or more in a calendar quarter.

Join the La Mirada Chamber of Commerce as we work together to grow the La Mirada economy, local businesses, leaders, and the overall quality of life. The mission of the La Mirada Chamber is to create and maintain prosperity for the community. Members enjoy networking, marketing, education, and training opportunities throughout the year.

Businesses operating within the City of La Mirada must have a business license. A new business must either complete the appropriate forms and/or apply online. If applying online, some forms will need to be downloaded and completed. Complete instructions are available in the Business License section of the City of La Mirada’s website.

The application will take approximately 1 to 2 weeks to process.  If approved, you will need to schedule an inspection with the City’s Building Inspector for an inspection. The City will mail out the business license once it has been processed.

Business License Requirements

• Business Licenses must be renewed annually.
• Businesses must have a physical address, PO Box and mail collection services can only be used as a mailing address.
• Business licenses must be posted or exhibited in a conspicuous place at the business location.
• Mobile businesses must carry their license while conducting business in the City.
• Businesses using a name other than their own must apply for a fictitious business name (DBA).

Business License Renewals can be processed online. Please have your pin number and credit card information available.  The pin number is located on the bottom right-hand corner of your renewal application.  If you do not have a pin number contact the Business License Desk at (562) 943-0131.

To calculate your Business License Tax, feel free to use the Business License Tax Worksheet.

If you have any questions, please click here for the City of La Mirada’s business license FAQ page or contact the Business License Desk at (562) 943-0131 ext. 2331.

A business permit is required prior to conducting certain activities that may affect the public peace, health, safety, and general welfare. Examples include banner permit, film permit, temporary use permit, and massage establishment permit.

For more information and/or to see if your business is required to obtain and pay fees for a business permit before operating or conducting business within the City, please click here for the City of La Mirada’s business permits page or call (562)943-0131.

A seller’s permit is required if you are engaged in business in California, intend to sell or lease tangible personal property that would ordinarily be subject to sales tax if sold at retail (this includes wholesalers, manufactures and retailers), or will make sales for a temporary period, normally lasting no longer than 90 days at one or more locations (for example, fireworks booth, Christmas tree lots, garage sale).

If you have questions, click here for more information about seller’s permits in the state of California.

In general, all persons or businesses constructing or altering, moving, wrecking, or demolishing any building, highway, road, parking facility, railroad, excavation or other structure, project, development or improvement must be licensed as a contractor if the total cost of labor and materials for a project is $500 or more. A license is also needed to do any work as a subcontractor or specialty contractor, and persons engaged in the business of home improvement.

If you have questions, click here for more information about applying for a contractor’s license.

Use CalGOLD, our online permit assistance tool, to identify local, state, and federal permit information for businesses. The online tool provides online resources, application forms, and contact information for the various agencies that administer and issue these permits. For permits and registrations administered by the State of California, CalGOLD also includes a Forms and Fee Finder with direct links to applications and fee information. Simply enter your city and type of business.

The Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) and the Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) provide professional permits, licenses, registrations, and certifications for businesses and their employees. Click the button for a list of professions featured on the DCA, DIR, and other California State Government Agency websites, along with links to the state government boards, bureaus, divisions and offices who administer these permits, licenses, registrations, and certifications.

This Environmental Permitting Guide is meant to serve as a quick reference tool to assist businesses in finding information on regulated business activities that impact the environment and serves as a comprehensive source of contact information for environmental regulators throughout the state.

All California employers must provide workers’ compensation benefits to their employees under California law. If a business employs one or more employees, then it must satisfy the requirement of the law.

If the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement (state labor commissioner) determines an employer is operating without workers’ compensation coverage, a stop order will be issued. This order prohibits the use of employee labor until coverage is obtained, and failure to observe it is a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment in the county jail for up to 60 days, or by a fine of up to $10,000, or both.

A commercial broker-agent can assist a business with purchasing workers’ compensation insurance from a licensed insurance company and can assist with information on State Fund and self-insurance.

Whether you are contemplating starting a new business, are a new business owner, or have owned a business for many years, commercial insurance is one of the most important ongoing financial investments you make in the life of your company.  Operating a business is extremely challenging without having to worry about suffering significant financial loss due to unforeseen circumstances.  Commercial insurance can protect you from some of the most common losses experienced by business owners such as property damage, business interruption, theft, liability, and worker injury.  Purchasing the appropriate commercial insurance coverage can make the difference between going out of business after a severe loss or recovering with minimal business interruption and financial impairment to your company’s operations.

One of the first steps in purchasing small business insurance is to contact a licensed insurance broker-agent who specializes in commercial coverages.  Beginning a working relationship with a reliable, competent broker-agent can be as crucial to your business plan as getting professional advice from an accountant, banker, human resources analyst, payroll specialist, lawyer, or a trusted business mentor.

Various types of professions need to have a bond on file with the Secretary of State. If you need a bond for filing with the Secretary of State, the bond form is listed on the Forms and Fees page with the corresponding descriptive title.

The Chamber cannot advise you as to whether or not your business must have a bond. If you need assistance in making that determination, and to ensure that all issues are considered and appropriately addressed, you should consult with a private attorney.

If you have questions, please click here for the Secretary of State’s bonding frequently asked questions.

In California, all employers must meet workplace posting obligations. Workplace postings are usually available at no cost from the requiring agency. The Department of Industrial Relations requires employers to post information related to wages, hours and working conditions in an area frequented by employees where it may be easily read during the workday. Additional posting requirements apply to some workplaces.

Cal/OSHA has many educational materials and resources available for employers including Cal/OSHA’s educational products on occupational safety and health, Cal/OSHA’s interactive electronic educational products for occupational safety and health, as well as many others.