| Business Tax Certificate (City Business License) |
City of Thousand Oaks — Finance Department |
Start Soon |
| Zoning/Planning Clearance (Location/Use Check) |
City of Thousand Oaks — Community Development (Planning) |
Start First |
| Building Permit / Tenant Improvement (TI) |
City of Thousand Oaks — Building & Safety |
Start First |
| Sign Permit (new or modified exterior signage) |
City of Thousand Oaks — Community Development |
Also Recommended |
| Grease Interceptor / Sewer Pretreatment Review |
City of Thousand Oaks — Water & Wastewater Operations |
Start Soon |
| Seller’s Permit (Sales Tax Account) |
California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA) |
Start Soon |
| California Food Handler Card (for all food employees) |
ANSI-accredited providers (verified by Ventura County Environmental Health) |
Also Recommended |
| Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) |
ANSI-accredited CFPM exam providers (recognized statewide) |
Start Soon |
| Commercial Cooking Fire Code Compliance (hood suppression, Class K extinguisher) |
Ventura County Fire Department (serving Thousand Oaks) |
Start First |
| Employer Identification Number (EIN) |
U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) |
Start Soon |
| Fictitious Business Name (DBA) Filing |
Ventura County Clerk-Recorder |
Also Recommended |
| Workers’ Compensation Insurance (if you have employees) |
California Department of Industrial Relations/Private Insurers |
Start Soon |
| State Entity Registration (LLC/Corporation/LP, if applicable) |
California Secretary of State (and Franchise Tax Board for annual tax) |
Also Recommended |
| General Liability Insurance |
Private insurers (often required by landlords and lenders) |
Also Recommended |
| Alcoholic Beverage License (if serving beer/wine/spirits) |
California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) |
Start Soon |
| Home Occupation Permit |
Thousand Oaks Planning Department |
Start Soon |
| Food Facility Plan Check — Application for a Permit to Construct (Restaurant/Retail Food Facility) |
Ventura County Environmental Health Division — Food Protection Program |
Start First |
| Health Permit to Operate — Retail Food Facility (Restaurant) |
Ventura County Environmental Health Division — Food Protection Program |
Start Soon |