City Guides

Santa Cruz Small Business Guide

by
Bob Mason
on
6/1/2015
Santa Cruz Small Business Guide

Santa Cruz is the largest city of Santa Cruz County in California. While it is primarily known as a beach resort community, it supports a range of large and small businesses. Businesses in the agricultural, tourism, education and high technology sectors are thriving in this city, situated on Monterey Bay.

The University of California at Santa Cruz, Plantronics, Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, Santa Cruz county and city governments make up the top five largest employers in the city of Santa Cruz.

Business Environment

Santa Cruz provides support to growing businesses:

  • Santa Cruz is the center of a growing organic agriculture movement and houses the headquarters of California Certified Organic Farmers.
  • The population of Santa Cruz is growing with an estimated increase of 4.9% between the years 2010 and 2013, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
  • Santa Cruz is home to the University of California, Santa Cruz, which has developed a name for the city as a research institution and education hub.
  • Tourists are attracted to the city thanks to the redwood forests and marine sanctuary located nearby in the Santa Cruz Mountains.
  • Downtown Santa Cruz is home to a variety of shops and businesses and features local and national corporate retailers.

Business Structure and Licensing

If you are planning to start a new small business in Santa Cruz, you must first select a business structure. In order to set up a limited liability company, corporation, partnership, or non-profit organization, you must file the required paperwork with the state of California.

Every business within the Santa Cruz city limits must have a City of Santa Cruz Business License Tax Certificate in order to do business. Certain professions and businesses require state licenses that can be obtained from the state of California. The California Department of Consumer Affairs provides information on the types of businesses that require professional licensing.

Depending on the products and services that are sold by your new business, you may also be required to obtain a California Sales Tax Permit.

Business Support From the City

The Santa Cruz Chamber of Commerce provides active support for business owners in the community and offers many benefits to members that can improve the odds of business success.

Resources

Use the links below to get started with your Santa Cruz small business:

  • Doing Business in Santa Cruz (Official City of Santa Cruz Website)
  • Santa Cruz Business Licenses and Permits
  • Buy a Business in Santa Cruz
  • Find Five-Star Rated Santa Cruz Accountants
  • Santa Cruz County Clerk Department
  • Santa Cruz Available Commercial Real Estate
  • Meetups in Santa Cruz
  • Santa Cruz Business News
  • Think Local First Santa Cruz
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Bob Mason

Bob Mason

Bob Mason is the founder of Coast Financial Services Inc. servicing both the Santa Cruz, and San Jose areas. Bob Mason is a skilled financial professional who is fully equipped to assist any of your accounting needs. Founding his firm in Santa Cruz, Bob understands the importance of small businesses and how they form the backbone of the area. Coast Financial Services, Inc. has been dedicated to the growth and profitability of businesses in Santa Cruz for 17 years. To learn more about Bob Mason and the rest of his team, visit their website.

COAST FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC.
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