City of Moreno Valley Development Services
FAQ for
Q:
Businesses
Can I open any kind of
business I want? Q: What are the City require-
ments for my business?
Service.
Business License Tax Receipts
A: A:
No. The proposed use must If the business is located in are issued for a calendar year and
be consistent with the exist- the City, approval is required expire on December 31st. Renewal
ing zoning. There are certain uses from the Planning Division, the of the Business License Tax Receipt
that may not be appropriate with cer- Building and Safety Division, the is based on the gross receipts of the
tain zoning designations. Before pro- Fire Department, and if required the business for the past calendar year
ceeding with your proposed business, Police Department. The Business and the City Council approved pro-
check the permitted uses table within License Tax Receipt requires decla- cessing fee. Business License Tax
the Municipal Code (Table 9.02.020- ration of the Business Name. Receipts become delinquent Febru-
1) to see if a particular use is permit- If the last name of the owner is not ary 1st. After that date, penalties and
ted. Also, there are businesses within in the title of the business, a ficti- interest will apply.
shopping centers with unique parking tious name declaration must be filed For more information please con-
needs such as restaurants that require with the Riverside County Clerk tact Business License 951.413.3060.
an Administrative Plot Plan be sub- and Recorder’s office and published
mitted to the Planning Division to
ensure that there is adequate parking
in a local newspaper along with the
physical address of the business (post
Q: Do other governmental
agencies need to approve
my business?
for the shopping center. It is a good office boxes are not acceptable), and
idea to check with the Planning Divi-
sion before you start your business.
the telephone number for the busi-
ness. If the business activity applied A: Depending on the type of
business, other agencies may
be involved in the approval process
for is regulated by a state or federal
Q: What is the zoning of my agency, proof of such licenses) must or licensing. Call Business License
property? be provided with the license number, at 951.413.3060 for the most current
type, and expiration date. information.
A: Zoning is the primary tool
If the business activity involves
Q:
that guides land use. Zon- Do I need a business
taxable sales, a State Board of Equal-
ing identifies permitted uses of license? How much does
ization Resale number is required.
land based on mapped zones which that cost?
If the business activity involves the
separate one part of a community
from another. Each property within
Moreno Valley is designated with a
preparation, handling, or sale of any
food products a Riverside County
Health Permit is required. Federal
A: There are three types of busi-
ness owners who would need
a business license. These include:
zoning designation. This information
and State employer identification A. Business owners who plan to do
is easily accessible from the City’s
numbers are required for those busi- business out of the home. These
web site, www.moreno-valley.ca.us.
nesses with employees. businesses require a Home Occupa-
On the home page, click on the
If a business activity is claiming tion Permit and a Business License.
“City Hall” tab, then on “GIS Maps
‘non-profit’ status they must provide B. Business owners who plan to
Online,” then on “Moval Zoning
proof of registration with the Sec- operate out of a commercial location.
Atlas Legend.” In this manner it can
retary of State and a 501(c)(3) tax
be determined whether a business is
permitted or not.
exemption from the Internal Revenue Continued on back
City of Moreno Valley
14177 Frederick Street
P.O. Box 88005
Moreno Valley, CA 92552-0805
951.413.3000
Continued from front
These businesses require a Certifi-
cate of Occupancy.
C. Out of town contractors. These
use is taking place, a floor plan of the
proposed business is still required.
Also if there is any change in use,
Q: Can the City help me
draw up my plans?
business owners would include those
that reside outside the City but are do-
such as going from a mercantile or
office type business to an assembly
A: No. Building and Safety is a
regulatory agency, and can-
not help design or draw plans as that
ing business in Moreno Valley. Cost occupation, more detailed plans will could be construed to be a conflict of
and other business license informa- be required to be submitted for plan interest.
tion can be found on our web site at: review. Once the application process
www.moreno-valley.ca.us, then click is complete an inspection will need
on the “Doing Business” tab and go
to “Business License.”
to be scheduled. Building and Safety
will perform the C of O inspection
Q: Why do I have to jump
through all these hoops
just to open my business?
after all other inspections have been
Q: Do I have to pay City fees
for my business? What
performed (i.e., Fire Prevention).
To schedule an inspection, please
A: Safety is the number one pri-
ority for Building and Safety,
whose duty is to ensure the California
are the fees for my project? call 951.413.3350 with the following Building Code’s (CBC) standards
A: Yes. Any fees for permits or information: Permit number, type of are met. “The purpose of the code
inspections, plus the Busi- inspection requested, name of request- is to provide minimum standards to
ness License Tax Receipt processing or, and a telephone number where you safeguard life or limb, health, property
fee are required and due at the time can be reached during work hours. and public welfare by regulating and
of application. Fees are based on the Inspections are scheduled for the next controlling the design, construction,
current City Council fee schedule available work day. quality of materials, use and occu-
adopted each year. pancy, location and maintenance of
all buildings and structures within this
Q: How long does the process
take?
Q: Do I need an application
for tenant improvements?
jurisdiction and certain equipment
specifically regulated here.” CBC
A: The length of the process
A: Yes. The application and
plan submittal process is the
101.2
will depend on whether the
business only requires a Certificate
same as detailed above for home- Building & Safety:
owners. However, be advised that
of Occupancy (C of O), a Home
Occupation Permit, or whether an
the California State Building Code
does require that a C of O be issued
951.413.3350
additional application is required to
PRIOR to opening of a business
be completed.
building or suite. That C of O is in- Planning:
cluded with the final inspection in the
Q: Will my property need
inspections? Who will
case of tenant improvements. 951.413.3206
Q:
inspect? How do I schedule an Do I need to hire an archi-
inspection? tect or engineer to draw Business License:
A: Prior to opening a business,
all suites and/or new buildings
are required by the California State
the plans?
A: This would be based on
the scope of work for the
951.413.3060
Building Code to have a C of O. To improvement. The Business and
obtain a C of O, applications may be Professions Code, Contractor State
obtained from the first floor Devel- License Board, Architect’s Practice
opment Services Assistance Desk at Act and the Health and Safety Code
City Hall or online. Follow the in- are various laws that regulate when
structions on the forms. If no tenant plans need to be drawn by an archi-
improvements or change of tect or engineer.