Congratulations on your decision to start a business in Los Angeles. Los Angeles was built by entrepreneurs and small businesses continue to make up the backbone of this city.
SMALL BUSINESS START UP KIT
Start Up LA: Ten Key Steps to Starting a Business in LA
The official guide to starting a business in the City of Los Angeles.
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Business Tax Registration Certificate
This is the basic form you need to register your business with the City of Los Angeles.
Click here
to learn more about this requirement.
OTHER BASIC STEPS TO GET STARTED
Search for Available Business Names
The California Secretary of State provides an
online search tool
to find available business names.
File a Doing Business As (DBA)
If you plan to do business under a different name than your own (e.g., Joe's Diner), you must
file a "Doing Business As"
with the Los Angeles County Clerk.
Obtain Required Permits and Licenses
Start with CalGold, an online database provided by the State of California. Also, browse through our Most Popular Downloads section to quickly find local permits.
Need additional assistance? Download
Start Up LA
or check out some of the resources below!
LOCAL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE RESOURCES
Small Business Administration (Los Angeles Office)
Can answer some of the basic questions about starting a business.
Has many resources that can generate some business ideas.
Los Angeles Business Assistance Program
Provides hands-on assistance to get businesses started.
Los Angeles Minority Business Opportunity Center
Offers free services to Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) firms that want to sell to the government.
STATE/FEDERAL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE RESOURCES
California Business Portal
Online resource for small businesses provided by the State of California.
Business.GOV
The official business link to the U.S. Government.
IRS Small Business One-Stop Resource Center
Small business start up guide from the federal government. Includes online workshops.
Small Business Administration (SBA) Online Courses
Free online courses that cover many important small business areas.