City Business Licensing Requirements
The County of Sonoma does not require a business license or tax certificate for businesses operating in the unincorporated areas of the county. However, each City in which a business will generate revenue requires a license and/or a business tax certificate. During this application process, entrepreneurs should inquire about any further required licenses, permits or endorsements
Contacts for each of the nine incorporated cities are below:
Sonoma County Fictitious Name Statement
If your new venture will conduct business under a name that does not contain the surname of any and all owners, or is a corporation that will do business under a different name than is registered with the State, you will need to file a Fictitious Business Name Statement with the County of Sonoma Clerk-Recorder-Assessor’s Office. This application must be filed within 40 days of business start date.
The Clerk’s Office can be reached at:
Sonoma County Clerks' Office
585 Fiscal Drive, Room 103
Santa Rosa, CA 95403
(707) 565-3800
www.sonoma-county.org/clerk