STARTING A NEW BUSINESS IN SAN MATEO

STARTING A NEW BUSINESS IN SAN MATEO? This worksheet is provided to inform and guide you through the required City processes for starting a new business in San Mateo. You may find it helpful to put a 􀀻 in each box as you complete the sections for each City Division and/or Department. It is suggested that you keep this information with your records for reference. Please be aware that your business may be subject to specific requirements not covered by this general overview of City business processes. This worksheet is not a required document, but is intended to assist you in opening your business. 􀂉 ZONING REQUIREMENTS (Planning Division) 650-522-7202 Before signing a lease or opening a business, check first with the Planning Division to verify that your proposed business meets all City Zoning and Planning requirements. Planning staff will review the zoning of your chosen location to determine if the proposed business is an allowable use at that site and to confirm that all off-street parking requirements are satisfied. In addition, if you are proposing any exterior modifications to an existing commercial building, or any new commercial construction, you may need to obtain approval of a Site Plan and Architectural Review (SPAR) application through the Planning Division prior to submitting for building permits. 􀂃 ZONING REQUIREMENTS Business Address: Parcel Number: Type of Business: (e.g., office, retail, restaurant, manufacturing, etc.) Zoning: Is the proposed business an allowable use in this zone? Y N 􀂃 PARKING REQUIREMENTS Your parking requirement is based upon the type of proposed use, square footage, and whether the property is located within a designated parking district. In some instances, it may be necessary to provide the name and type of business that occupied the space immediately prior to the proposed new business to determine the correct parking requirements. Please provide the information below: Prior business name: Type of prior business: Gross Floor Area of Business (sq. ft.): Number of Off-Street Parking Spaces Provided: (Note: On-street parking cannot be used to meet the off-street parking requirements per San Mateo Municipal Code §27.64) STARTING A NEW BUSINESS IN SAN MATEO? Page 2 􀂃 PARKING REQUIREMENTS (continued) Restaurants: If your business is a restaurant, you will need to submit a scaled (1/4” = 1’) drawing of your floor plan, with dimensions of rooms/areas and exterior walls as well as intended uses (e.g., kitchen, storage area, seating, etc.) for each room/area. This drawing will be permanently filed with the City to assist in determining your parking requirement. Public Service Area Square Footage: ________________________________________________ 􀂉 SIGN PERMITS (Planning & Building Divisions) 650-522-7202 /650-522-7172 All new signs and banners, as well as temporary signs and alterations to existing signs, require a sign permit. The Sign Ordinance regulates the number, size and height of all signs, and sign permits are approved by the Planning and Building Divisions. For more information on specific sign requirements, contact the Planning Division at 650-522-7202 or visit the City of San Mateo website: http://ww.cityofsanmateo.org/dept/planning/public_zoning_information/sign.html -Review signage plans and design with Planning Division (650-522-7202) -Secure a Sign Permit from the Building Division (650-522-7172) 􀂉 FINANCE DEPARTMENT (Business Tax Division) 650-522-7113 All businesses, trades, and professions are required to obtain a business tax certificate from the Finance Department prior to beginning any business activity. This certificate must be renewed every year. Businesses located in the Downtown and 25th Avenue Business Improvement Areas are subject to a Business Improvement Area (BIA) assessment at time of business tax certificate submittal, and yearly upon receipt of annual business tax certificate renewal notice. You will receive your tax certificate approximately 2-3 weeks after you submit your application and fees. If you will be operating your business from your home, you will need to read and comply with the City’s home occupation zoning regulations and obtain a business tax certificate. All non-profit corporations are required to obtain a business tax certificate. However, there is no fee for this certificate since all non-profits are tax-exempt. -Submit application for Business Tax Certificate and pay appropriate fees STARTING A NEW BUSINESS IN SAN MATEO? Page 3 􀂉 BUILDING CODE REQUIREMENTS 650-522-7172 Your use of the business premises is subject to inspection for compliance with adopted building regulations by a representative of the Building Division. If you are changing the use of the building, or need to do alterations to the building, please contact the Building Division at 650-522-7172. Early contact with the Building Division and Fire Protection staff (see below) can often save you time and money! -Contact Building Division to secure required building permits and consult with them regarding interior tenant improvements and/or exterior modifications. (Note: Exterior modifications also require Planning Division review and approval as indicated above.) -Pick up a copy of the City's Commercial Waste Management brochure for information about whether you may need to comply with the ordinance and to plan for your containment, storage, and collection of solid waste. -Parcels with a restaurant located on them are charged a higher sewer service charge than other parcels connected to the City sanitary sewer system. Please call Public Works Engineering at 650-522-7300 for more information 􀂉 BUREAU OF FIRE PROTECTION AND LIFE SAFETY 650-522-7940 All new businesses require an inspection by the Bureau to determine compliance with Fire and Building codes related to required fire protection, exits, required fire-fighting equipment and correct installation of equipment to be used by the business. The Fire Department welcomes preliminary site consultation related to fire issues. -Pick up a copy of the City’s Commercial Fire Sprinkler design and submittal requirements -Contact the Bureau of Fire Protection and Life Safety and schedule an inspection 􀂉 CODE ENFORCEMENT 650-522-7150 All businesses are required to have regularly scheduled garbage service through Allied Waste of San Mateo County. Code Enforcement staff assist you with keeping your business in compliance with the City of San Mateo’s Municipal Ordinances (many of which include items covered under the various department/division requirements mentioned above). We do this through public education, facilitating a problem solving approach to issues, and utilizing available resources and enforcement processes to improve our community.