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Steps to Starting Your Business

Step	What to Do	Who to Contact
	Step 1: NAME THE BUSINESS
1.1	Name the Business This is a very important part of beginning your business since it is the item that will identify you, your service and/or your product to the consumer. Once you have decided your business name, ascertain if the name is available for use. Make inquiries to confirm availability with the Secretary of State for corporate names and Riverside County Recorder's office for fictitious name filings.	Riverside County Recorder's Office (951) 955-6200
1.2	File and Publish a Fictitious Name Statement If the business is not a legal entity registered with the State of California or it does not contain the owner's surname such as Doe Contractor Service, a Fictitious Name Statement must be filed with the County Recorder's office in the county which the business is based (Riverside). This is also a requirement for partnerships not recognized by the state.	Riverside County Recorder's Office (951) 955-6200
	Step 2: BUSINESS LICENSE CLEARANCE
2	Applying for a Business License Clearance Letter Apply for a Business License Clearance Letter through SmartGov. Provide a detailed business description in the submittal and submit your application online. The Planning Department will review the proposed business and provide a confirmation or denial letter based on the land use regulations outlined in Banning Municipal Code Section 17.12.020. The Planning Department will also inform the applicant of any additional permits required for the business, such as a Conditional Use Permit, Design Review, Sellers Permit etc. Code Enforcement will also review for outstanding Code Violations.	Planning Department (951) 922-3125 Planning2@banningca.gov SmartGov Portal
	Step 3: BUILDING PERMITS AND INSPECTIONS
3.1	Tenant Improvements/ Change of Use – Building Permits Businesses proposing interior or exterior alterations, or wishing to change occupancy under the California Building Code, must obtain construction permits from the Building & Safety Department. All Industrial and Commercial sites must comply with the City’s Industrial Waste/ F.O.G (Fats, Oils, Grease) Program.	Building and Safety Department (951) 922-3120 Buildingandsafety@banningca.gov
3.2	Tenant Improvements/ Change of Use – Inspections Fire Marshal inspection must be scheduled and approved in SmartGov before Building inspections can occur. If a grease interceptor and/or NPDES is required, then a Public Works Inspection must be scheduled and approved, prior to the issuance of a building permit issuance. After Fire approval, Building & Safety completes final inspections tied to the building permits.	SmartGov Portal Request Inspections
3.3	No Change of Use/ No Tenant Improvements If no tenant improvements and no change of use are proposed: • The applicant must still submit a Certificate of Occupancy (COFO) application in SmartGov to create the inspection record (not a full COFO issuance). • A Fire and Building & Safety Business License Inspection is required. • A Stormwater NPDES Inspection may be required (based on business type). • After Fire and Building & Safety approvals, proceed directly to Step 5 (HDL).	SmartGov Portal Request Inspections
3.4	Change of Owner Only If the business is changing ownership but the use remains the same and no tenant improvements are proposed: • The applicant must submit a Business License Clearance Letter (Step 2). • A Fire and Building & Safety Business License Inspection may still be required. • A Stormwater NPDES Inspection may be required (based on business type). • After inspections are approved (if applicable), proceed directly to Step 5 (HDL).	SmartGov Portal Request Inspections
	Step 4: CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY (COFO)
4.1	Apply for the Certificate of Occupancy (COFO) The following steps (4.1–4.3) apply only to businesses that require a full Certificate of Occupancy (COFO) due to tenant improvements or a change of use under the California Building Code: • If you applied for tenant improvements, you will receive a COFO after the final Building Permit inspection is approved. • If you did not apply for tenant improvements but your use is changing, you must apply separately for a COFO with the Building & Safety Department. • If your business does not require tenant improvements and has no change of use, follow Step 3.3 or 3.4 instead (inspection record only). • Applicant acknowledges that mandated trash services are required for commercial entities under Chapter 8.28.100 of the Banning Municipal Code. The applicant shall contact Waste Management at 800-423-9986 to establish an account and coordinate required services.	Building and Safety Department (951) 922-3120 Buildingandsafety@banningca.gov Banning Municipal Code 8.28.100
4.2	Scheduling Inspections For businesses that require a Certificate of Occupancy (COFO): • Inspections must be scheduled first with the Office of the Fire Marshal and then with the Building and Safety Department through SmartGov. • The Fire inspection must be scheduled and approved by the Fire Marshal prior to the Building inspection.	SmartGov Portal Request Inspections
4.3	Obtaining the Certificate of Occupancy (COFO) Once all required inspections are completed and all conditions from the Building and Safety Department are fulfilled, the Building and Safety Department will issue the business a Certificate of Occupancy (COFO).	Building and Safety Department (951) 922-3120 Buildingandsafety@banningca.gov
	Step 5: APPLY FOR BUSINESS LICENSE VIA HDL
5	Submit Business License Application Submit your Business License Application online to the Business Support Center (HDL). Be sure to include: • A copy of your approved Business Clearance Letter. • Certificate of Occupancy (COFO) (if applicable). • If a COFO is not required, documentation of your approved Fire and Building and Safety Business License Inspection. • All State and County licenses and permits, fictitious name filing, corporate or partnership documentation, and your Tax ID number. No payment will be required until your application has been reviewed and accepted. You will receive an email verifying the receipt of the application. After the business tax fees are paid, a business license number will be issued. An electronic copy will be emailed immediately; a hard copy can be mailed upon request. Per the Banning Municipal Code, your business license (and Certificate of Occupancy (COFO), if applicable) must be posted in a conspicuous place within the business. SB 205 Stormwater Compliance (If Applicable) If your business activity falls under a regulated SIC code, you must provide proof of enrollment or exemption under the State Water Board’s Industrial General Permit (IGP) prior to Business License issuance. • SB 205 Requirements: https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/water_issues/programs/stormwater/sb_205_business_license_requirements.html • SIC Code Lookup: https://www.dir.ca.gov/OPRL/ORS/SICSearch.html	HDL Companies Business Support Center (707) 387-9807 Banning@hdlgov.com