Start a Business
City staff is looking forward to helping you establish your business in Pacifica and providing you with information about licensing, permit requirements, City services and regulations. This information is intended to help you get started. For more information you may wish to visit the City’s website at: www.cityofpacifica.org.
Planning and Research
Starting a new business, trade or occupation in the City of Pacifica requires issuance of a business license and, depending on the location and type of business, may require issuance of one or more City of Pacifica permits.
Although most types of licenses/permits will take no more than a few weeks to process, please begin your research early as some types of permits may take several months to obtain.
A list of the types of businesses that may require additional permits is provided on the last page of this handout.
For further assistance you may contact the Planning Department at:
Planning Department
1800 Francisco Blvd.
Pacifica, CA 94044
Phone: (650) 738-7341
Fax: (650) 359-5807
The North County Fire Authority (Pacifica’s fire department) may have license/permit requirements that must be met prior to opening your business. Associated fees may apply. You may contact them at:
North County Fire Authority
10 Wembley Drive
Daly City, CA 94015
Phone: (650) 991-8138
Other regulatory agencies may also have license/permit requirements that must be met prior to opening your business. Some agencies that may have license /permit requirements include:
North Coast County Water District 2400 Francisco Boulevard Pacifica, CA 94044 Phone: (650) 355-3462 |
San Mateo County Environmental Health 2000 Alameda de las Pulgas, Suite 100 San Mateo, CA 94403 Phone: (650) 372-6200 |
San Francisco Bay Regional Water
Quality Control Board
1515 Clay Street, Suite 1400
Oakland, CA 94612
Phone: (510) 622-2300
Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control 1515 Clay Street, Ste. 2208 Oakland, CA 94612 Phone: (415) 356-6500 |
Bay Area Air Quality Management District 939 Ellis St. San Francisco, CA 94109 Phone: (415) 771-6000 |
Choosing a Location
Before you relocate your business, sign a lease, purchase a commercial building or begin operating a business from your home, please check with the City of Pacifica’s Planning Department to determine if the location you are considering meets the City’s land use regulations and to assess potential Planning Department permit needs.
If the Planning Department determines that one or more planning permit is needed, you will be provided with additional information about permit needs and procedures.
In the case of businesses with multiple locations, each location shall be considered separately. If you plan to engage in commerce in the public right-of-way, such as a public street or sidewalk, you should contact the City’s Engineering Division for assistance:
Engineering Division
151 Milagra Drive
Pacifica, CA 94044
Phone: 650-738-3767
Fax: 650-738-3003
Obtaining a Business License:
If no other City permit(s) is needed, or once any necessary permit(s) has been issued, you may apply for a business license. Business licenses are issued through the City’s Finance Department.
Finance Department
170 Santa Maria Avenue
Pacifica, CA 94044
Phone: 650-738-7392
Fax: (650) 738-7411
Each applicant must:
If there is more than one business location, separate applications must be filed for each location. Similarly, if more than one business operates at one location, each business must have a separate business license. A new license is needed for changes in location and all businesses licenses must be renewed annually.
Receipt for payment is not a business license—the license will only be issued once all necessary inspections are conducted and passed, and all relevant City departments or outside agencies have approved the business license request.
Online Registration and Renewal
Business Licenses can also be applied for or renewed through our Online Business License Portal.
Inspections
Inspections (fees may apply) by one or more City department or outside agency may be necessary prior to issuance of a business license. The types of inspections needed depend on various factors such as the type of business and degree of building construction/modification to be conducted. Following are examples of types of inspections that may be needed:
Additional Resources:
Pacifica Chamber of Commerce 225 Rockaway Beach Blvd. #1 Pacifica, CA 94044 Phone: (650) 355-4122 |
Pacifica Police Department 2075 Coast Hwy Pacifica, CA 94044-3038 Phone: 650-738-7314 |
Pacifica Wastewater Department 700 Coast Highway Pacifica, CA 94044 Phone: 650-738-4660 Fax: 650-355-7256 |
US Small Business Administration 409 3rd St. SW Washington DC 20416 Phone: 800-827-5722 |
San Mateo Public Library
Small Business Resource Center
(must have a San Mateo County library card)
Businesses Subject to Additional Permit Requirements
The following list includes examples of types of businesses that may require permits from one or more City department(s) prior to issuance of a business license:
Checklist for Business Owners
For more information please visit www.cityofpacifica.org