Start a Business in San Francisco

Permits, costs, timeline, and step-by-step requirements.

✔ 4 permits⏱ 4-10 weeks💰 $100–$500+

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Overview

Starting a business in San Francisco requires a Business Registration Certificate through the Office of the Treasurer & Tax Collector. Base fee: $100–$500+. No state business license required. Cities handle licensing independently.

Required Permits

✓Federal: EIN from IRS (free, instant online)
✓State: LLC/Corp filing + seller's permit/sales tax registration
✓County: health department permit + fire inspection
✓City: business licence/tax certificate

Step-by-Step Process

1

Federal: EIN from IRS (free, instant online)

2

State: LLC/Corp filing + seller's permit/sales tax registration

3

County: health department permit + fire inspection

4

City: business licence/tax certificate

Costs

Estimated total: $100–$500+ depending on permits and inspections.

General Business$100–$500+
Restaurant$500–$3,000+
High Regulated$10,000+

County Health Department

Department of Public Health (San Francisco County)

(415) 252-3800

https://www.sfdph.org

Contact

Office of the Treasurer & Tax Collector

Phone: 415-554-4400

City Hall, 1 Dr Carlton B Goodlett Pl, Room 140, San Francisco, CA 94102

Apply Online →

Common Mistakes

⚠ Will NOT issue certificate if you owe ANY other taxes/fees to the city
⚠ Unified License Bill collects fees on behalf of 7+ departments (Health, Fire, Police, Entertainment, etc.)
⚠ Registration fee scaled to gross receipts — not flat
⚠ 15-day registration deadline
⚠ Proposition M restructured renewal timeline starting 2026
⚠ Cannabis Business Tax effective January 2026 (1-5% of gross receipts)

Choose Your Business Type

RestaurantFood TruckBarber ShopRetail StoreCoffee ShopBar / NightclubGym / Fitness StudioNail SalonCannabis DispensaryDog GroomingBakeryCleaning ServiceDaycare CenterAuto Repair Shop

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