City of Sunnyvale

Business Kit Pamphlet (PDF Format)
Available Commercial Properties (Silicon Valley Economic Development Alliance)
Silicon Valley Online (Silicon Valley Cities Information)

One way to help businesses thrive is to make sure they are informed about the programs and services available from the city so that they will look to the city as the partner in resolving issues and fulfilling their business potential in Sunnyvale. Our Business Guide provides you with all the information you need to start and grow a business.

Workshops & Seminars
SCORE Seminars
SBA Training
Tax Seminars
BOE Seminars

Fictitious Business Name

When a business goes by any name other than the owner's real name the business is being operated under a "fictitious name" and must file a "Doing Business As" Statement.

For more information, contact:

Clerk Recorder's Office (Santa Clara County)

East Wing, First floor

70 West Hedding Street (at First Street)

San Jose CA 95110

(408) 299-5665

Business Structure

If you want to structure your business as a corporation (either stock or nonprofit), a limited liability company or a partnership (limited, limited liability, or general) , you must file with the California Secretary of State's Office. A legal representative and accountant should be consulted before making a determination as to the type of business entity to form.

For more information contact:

Secretary of State

Business Programs Division

1500 11th Street

Sacramento, CA 95814

916-657-5448

Business Permits

Sales & Use Permit/ Seller's Permit

All businesses selling or leasing tangible property must obtain a Seller's Permit. A seller’s permit is a state license that allows businesses to sell items at the wholesale or retail level and to issue resale certificates to suppliers.

For more information, contact:

State Board Of Equalization

250 S. Second St.

San Jose, CA 95113-2706

(408) 277-1231

Land Use & Zoning Permits

Before finalizing your business location, contact the Planning Division to confirm the zoning of the proposed location and whether the business is an eligible use for that location or requires a special development permit like Use Permit in that zone . The Planning staff will determine if the business meets the parking standards and also review the sign permits. This applies even if you plan to do business out of your home.

For more information, contact:

One Stop Permit Center (or the Planning Division)

456 W. Olive Avenue

Sunnyvale, California 94086

8 a.m. - 5 p.m. (closed noon - 1 p.m.)

(408) 730-7444

planning@ci.sunnyvale.ca.us

Building & Construction Permits

The Building Division provides plan checking, permitting, and inspection services, along with general information for additions, remodels and construction within the city of Sunnyvale. Please refer to the Commercial/Industrial Information for more information on common commercial/industrial remodel/repair projects.

For more information, contact:

One Stop Permit Center (or the Building Division)

456 W. Olive Avenue

Sunnyvale, California 94086

8 a.m. - 5 p.m. (closed noon - 1 p.m.)

(408) 730-7444

building@ci.sunnyvale.ca.us

Special Permits
Certain businesses like pawnbrokers, massage parlors, etc. need special permits from the department of public safety. The Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety reviews and issues special permits for the following businesses:

Firearm Sales

Pawnbroker

Secondhand Dealer

Masseuses and Masseurs

Peddler/ Solicitor

Massage Parlors

Taxicab Services

Adult Entertainment

For more information contact:

Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety

700 All America Way

Sunnyvale, CA 94088

Businesses concerning any food or drink establishment, tattoo parlors, swimming pool, septic tanks, wells or animal facilities need additional health permits from the

Santa Clara County Department of Environmental Health

1555 Berger Dr, Suite 300

San Jose, CA 95112
408-918-3400
www.ehinfo.org

Businesses that use or plan to use weighing and measuring devices are required to test and certify these devices by the county sealer.

For more information, contact:

Santa Clara County Department of Weights and Measures

1553 Berger Dr.

San Jose, CA 95112

408-299-4701

Businesses selling any alcoholic beverage require an alcoholic beverage license. For more information, contact:

State of California Alcoholic Beverage Control

100 Paseo de San Antonio, Room 119

San Jose, CA 95113

(408) 277-1200

Business Licenses

The city of Sunnyvale requires payment of the business license tax to operate any business in the city (including home business, non- profit corporation and businesses located outside the city limits but perform services for customers inside the city limit). The business license must be renewed and business license tax paid each year that the business is in operation.

For more information contact:

One Stop Permit Center or

Business License Division

650 West Olive Avenue

Sunnyvale, California 94086

8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

(408) 730 7620

Business Taxes

State Income Tax:

The Franchise Tax Board is the department that collects state personal income taxes and bank and corporation taxes for the State of California.

For more information contact:

Franchise Tax Board

96 N. Third St., Fourth Floor

San Jose, CA 95112-5579

(800) 852-5711

Federal Income Tax

The Internal Revenue Service is the nation's tax collection agency.

For questions on forms; tax rules and regulations and how they affect businesses, contact:

Internal Revenue Service

55 S. Market St.

First Floor

San Jose CA 95113

408-817-6747

Utilities
The Utility Fee Schedule contains Water, Sewer and Garbage rates for residents and businesses in Sunnyvale.

If you have any questions regarding this information, or any other question related to the provision of water, sewer, or garbage service, please feel free to call the Sunnyvale Utilities Division at (408) 730-7400 for residents or (408) 730-7681 for businesses. Utilities

Business Preparedness

Contact Public Safety's Emergency Preparedness Group at (408) 730-7190

Doing Business with Sunnyvale

Purchasing
If you are interested in working with the City to provide high quality municipal services to Sunnyvale residents and businesses, follow the links below:

Purchasing
Bids Available
Doing Business with Us
Bidder Registration
Prevailing Wage
Purchasing Staff

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Economic Development Division
456 West Olive Avenue
Sunnyvale, CA 94088
Phone: (408) 730-7607
Fax: (408) 328-0707
econdev@ci.sunnyvale.ca.us