• Starting a business
  • County Permits and Licenses
  • City Permits and Licenses
  • State Offices
  • Federal Offices
    
• Doing business with the County
  • Purchasing
  • Public Works
  • Facilities Management/Capital Projects

Starting a business can be confusing. The information below should help you to start the process of obtaining licenses and permits. Please check with the city you are starting the business in, as well as with appropriate federal, state, and government organizations, to be sure you obtain all of the required licenses and permits. Not all agencies are listed on this page.

COUNTY PERMITS & LICENSES

• To obtain a business license in San Joaquin County:
  Community Development Department
  1810 E Hazelton Avenue
  Stockton, CA 95205
  (209) 468-2193/468-3120

• To sell an item on the street in an unincorporated area you need a Peddler’s License.   You can obtain this license at:  
  Treasurer-Tax Collector’s Office
  500 E. Main St., First Floor
  Stockton, CA 95202
  (209) 468-2133

• A photo is required for this type of license.   The photo must be obtained at the Purchasing & Support Services Duplication Office at the County Administration/Courthouse, 222 E. Weber, Stockton, CA 95202.   The Treasurer -Tax Collector will provide you with information on the process.

• To obtain a business license to start a business in an unincorporated area of the county:
  Community Development
  1810 East E. Hazelton Avenue
  Stockton, CA 95205
  (209) 468-2193/468-3120

• To file a fictitious business name:
  Recorder’s Office
  6 South El Dorado Street on the second Floor
  Stockton, CA 95202
  (209) 468-3939

• If you need assistance in staffing or obtaining grants or financial assistance, you may be eligible for help at:
  Employment & Economic Development    
  850 N. Hunter Street
  Stockton, CA 95206  
  (209) 468-3615

• If your business requires a permit or license from Weights & Measures:
  Agricultural Commissioner’s Office
  1868 E Hazelton Avenue
  Stockton, CA 95205
  (209) 468-3331

• If your business requires a Deed of Aviation & Hazardous Easement:
  Airport-Stockton Metro
  5000 S. Airport Way
  Stockton, CA 95205
  (209) 468-4700

• If your business requires a Health Permit:
  Environmental Health
  600 E. Main Street
  Stockton, CA 95202
  (209) 468-3420

• There may be Federal and State mandates that require a business to submit a report of hazardous material when handling chemicals of 50 gallons or more. These chemicals can be compressed, explosive, corrosive, toxic, inflammatory, or re-active in nature.   Contact:
  San Joaquin County Office of Emergency Services
  Hazardous Material Division
  222 E. Weber Avenue, 610A, 6th floor
  Stockton, CA 95202
  (209) 468-3969
  Fax Number (209) 944-9015

City Permits and Licenses

• City of Stockton
  If you need information on what type of business is allowed in the building you have chosen, go to:               
  City Planning Commission     
  345 N. El Dorado Street
  Stockton, CA 95202
  (209) 937-8266

• CITY BUSINESS LICENSE
  To obtain a business license to start a business in an incorporated city:
  City of Stockton
  City Hall
  Administrative Services
  425 N. El Dorado Street
  Stockton, CA  95202
  (209) 937-8313

• Lodi
  City Hall
  Finance Dept
  212 W. Pine St
  Lodi, CA 95240
  (209) 333-6717

• Manteca
  City Hall
  Finance Dept
  1001 W. Center Street
  Manteca, CA 95337
  (209) 825-2328

• Tracy
  City Hall
  Finance Dept
  325 E. 10^th Street
  Tracy, CA 95376

• Escalon
  City Hall
  Business License
  1854 Main Street
  Escalon, CA  95320
  (209) 838-8045

• Lathrop
  City Hall
  Initial Application for: Business, Vendor or Peddlers License            
  Community Development  
  (209) 858-2860 Ext 327
  Receiving Payment for: Business Renewal License, Peddlers License
  Finance
  (209) 858-2860, Ext 343
  16175 Howland Road, Ste 1
  Lathrop, CA 95330
  FAX (209) 858-5259

• Ripon 
  Ripon City Hall|
  Business Division
  259 N. Wilma Avenue
  Ripon, CA 95366
  (209) 599-2108 General Number
  FAX (209) 599-2685

STATE OF CALIFORNIA

• For a California State Seller’s Permit to sell in different counties:          
  State Board of Equalization
  31 E. Channel Street
  Stockton, CA 95201
  800 400-7115/948-7720

• For a liquor license:
  Alcoholic Beverage Control
  31 E. Channel St., Rm 168
  Stockton, CA 95201
  (209) 948-7739

• To get a business tax number:
  State Franchise Tax Board
  31 E. Channel Street
  Stockton, CA 95201
  888 745-3886

FEDERAL

• For information on federal taxes:
  Federal Building
  Internal Revenue
  1550 W. Fremont
  Stockton, CA 95205
  800 829-1040

Doing business with the County:

• For Bids, Vendor File Application and Surplus Equipment contact Purchasing
• For Bid Schedule, Bid Results and Stormwater Program contact Public Works
• For County Building Contracts contact Facilities Management/Capital Projects