Business Start-Up and Relocation Information

The Nevada County Economic Resource Council, in partnership with WorkForce Connection, has prepared this resource guide for new, existing, and potential business owners in Western Nevada County. This guide contains information about regulations, financing, taxes, permits, and available resources for Nevada County businesses. The most recent update was funded by a grant from PG&E.

Business Licenses and Permits

A business license is NOT required to conduct business within the unincorporated area of Nevada County, an area that includes the Loma Rica Industrial Park near the Nevada County Airport. A business license is NOT required to conduct business in the Town of Truckee; however, a Home Occupation Permit is required in some instances. A business license IS required within the incorporated city limits of the City of Grass Valley, an area including the Whispering Pines Industrial Park, the Spring Hill area on Idaho-Maryland Road, the Pine Creek Shopping Center, the Brunswick Basin, and the Grass Valley Shopping Center. A business license IS required within the incorporated city limits of the City of Nevada City. If your business is within the city limits of Grass Valley or Nevada City, contact the appropriate business permit and licensing section.

Some occupations such as accountants, cosmetologists, optometrists, etc., may require additional state licensing. Contact the State of California, Department of Consumer Affairs to determine what licensing board governs your profession.

A special business license known as a Hawker and Peddler License is required for: outdoor music festivals, carnivals, public dances and special events, door-to-door solicitors, peddlers, and itinerant businesses. Before the County Tax Collector’s office will issue a Hawker and Peddler license, the applicant must first see the appropriate City or County Planning Department (see Planning and Zoning below).

Fictitious Name Statements

If you operate a business under any name other than your own, you must file a fictitious business name statement. This is also referred to as a DBA (doing business as). Forms are available at the Recorder’s office, the Economic Resource Council, and the Chambers of Commerce. The completed form must be filed with the Nevada County Recorder’s Office. Within thirty days of filing for the fictitious business name, you must run a "Fictitious Business Name Statement" in a local newspaper with a general circulation. This statement will run weekly for four weeks. At the end of the four weeks, the newspaper will issue an affidavit of publication, which must be returned to the County Recorder within 30 days.

Registration of Trademark/Trade Name, Patent, Corporate Filings, Notary Public, etc.

To register a trademark or trade name, find out specifics regarding corporate filings, notary public regulations, international business relations program, etc.

Business Property Tax

Businesses are required to file an Assessor's Business Property Statement 571-L annually, when requested by the Assessor or when equipment and fixture costs reach a total of $100,000. The form can be downloaded from the Assessor’s web site.

Home Occupation Permits (For Home-Based Businesses)

The County of Nevada requires a permit to operate a business within your home. The residential character of the dwelling must be maintained. There can be no change in outward appearance of a business and the home occupation must not infringe upon the rights of neighboring residents to enjoy the peaceful occupancy of their homes. A home occupation must not occupy more than 25 percent or 400 square feet of floor area of the residence (whichever is greater), or 1,000 square feet in an accessory building, or involve on-site retail sales of merchandise. Refer to the land ordinance for specifics (home-based business starts on page 87). Contact your city or county planning department regarding this permit (see Planning and Zoning below).

Seller's Permit/Sales and Tax Permit

All businesses involved in the sale or lease of tangible personal property must register with the California State Board of Equalization for a seller's permit, resale license or wholesale license. This permit will provide you with a registered resale number, which you are required to use when conducting business. Permits must be posted where they are clearly visible. You may register for a seller’s permit in person or by mail. Call the 800 number below to get an application or download one from the BOE website. To obtain more information on seller's permit, resale license or wholesale license, contact the State Board of Equalization District Office in Sacramento.

Environmental Health Permit

An Annual Certificate of Operation (C of O) is required for businesses that dispense food to the public; pump septage; operate community water systems with less than 199 connections, centralized sewage systems, underground storage tanks (USTs), public pools or beaches; store, generate, or recycle hazardous materials. The C of O permit is issued by the Department of Environmental Health and is required prior to operation.

Planning & Zoning

Before applying for any business license or permit, make sure your business meets local zoning requirements and any construction conforms to local building codes. Usually, building permits are required for new construction as well as building improvements and change in occupancy. If you are seeking a location for your business, thoroughly investigate zoning ordinances through the local planning department to be sure that your choice is zoned for your particular business activity. In some cases, zoning regulations will require a type of use permit for your business.

Information Concerning Employees

It is important that you contact the appropriate regulatory agencies to learn of any special regulatory requirements necessary for you to operate your business in order to ensure compliance with all city and county requirements.

Safety & Health Regulations

You have a legal obligation to provide a safe working environment for your employees. You must operate your business in compliance with both Federal and California OSHA requirements. Contact the U.S. Department of Labor for a consultation on information regarding Federal OSHA and Cal OSHA requirements.

Federal & California Wage-Hour Laws & Child Labor Laws

If you hire employees, you may have to meet the requirements of the Federal Fair Labor Standards Act and the California Labor Code. Contact the U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division and the local Labor Commissioner for information on minimum wage and other labor issues.

Federal & California Fair Employment Laws

Contact the Federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing for information about compliance with laws prohibiting discrimination in employment on the basis of sex, age, color, national origin, religion, or physical and mental handicaps.

Employee Hiring & Training

There are several programs designed to assist the local business community in the recruitment, screening, hiring and training of new employees.

The WorkForce Connection is a partnership of community-based agencies working together to coordinate employment and training services for businesses and job seekers. Services include: labor market, tax credit & labor law information; training cost reimbursements; interviewing & recruitment assistance; no-fee job postings; and complimentary use of office facility for off-site meetings. Partners of WorkForce Connection include Cal WORKS Employment Services, California Department of Rehabilitation, Employment Development Department, Golden Sierra Job Training Agency, Nevada County Economic Resource Council, 49er R.O.P., Sierra College, Experience Works, and Native TANF Program.

CalWORKS Employment Services offers job coaching, education, vocational and technical training to welfare recipients who are working toward a self-sufficient lifestyle. Labor market and the needs of local employers dictate the focus of the program. Post-employment support helps ensure employers have access to well trained, quality employees.

The Employment Development Department offers employers many services including no-fee job postings (www.caljobs.ca.gov); unemployment and disability insurance information (https://eapply4ui.edd.ca.gov); labor market information (www.labormarketinfo.edd.ca.gov); employment tax credit certifications; layoff and plant closure assistance; and employer seminars. The user-friendly web site provides information and forms (www.edd.ca.gov).

The Department of Rehabilitation offers a number of services to employers. These include tax credits, on-the-job training, wage reimbursements, information on workplace accommodations and ADA consultation.

As a partner of WorkForce Connection, Golden Sierra has a variety of programs that can assist businesses in the recruitment, screening, hiring and training of employees. These programs include: recruitment and screening, on-the-job training (OJT), work experience/internship, and customized training. Funding for this program is through the federal Workforce Investment Act (WIA). Services are offered at no cost to the business or job seeker.

The 49er Regional Occupational Program (49er R.O.P.) assists over 600 businesses throughout Placer and Nevada County. 49er R.O.P. educates students in basic employment skills directly related to the needs of local businesses and then works with these businesses to create non-paid student internships. This combination of classroom academic studies and on-the-job training gives students an education they could not receive in a traditional classroom program and provides an opportunity to train future employees.

Established as part of the Older American's Act (1965), the Experience Works provides part-time job training apprenticeships for low-income seniors (55+).

Sierra College, Nevada County Campus, offers employers the opportunity to work in collaboration with the college's Career Center staff to successfully match students with employment opportunities. Employers may post open positions, present employment opportunities in classrooms, recruit on campus, or utilize the (subsidized) Work-Study programs. Employers may also work with students to explore careers in their area of interest (Informational interviews, Job Shadows, Mentorships, & Internships), or hire interns in paid or non-paid positions.

Sierra College offers on-site customized training or retraining, professional workshops, seminars, and training needs analysis. These programs are designed to provide technical, management or personal development training to company employees at the company work site.

The Employment Training Panel assists businesses in acquiring and re-training skilled workers by subsidizing employer training for qualified individuals.