Start a Business in San Jose

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

✔ 4 permits⏱ 3-8 weeks💰 $100–$200+

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Overview

Starting a business in San Jose requires a Business Tax Certificate through the Finance Department. Base fee: $100–$200+. 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–$200+ depending on permits and inspections.

General Business$100–$200+
Restaurant$200–$1,000+

Contact

Finance Department

Phone: 408-535-7055

200 E. Santa Clara Street, 1st Floor, San Jose, CA 95113

Apply Online →

Common Mistakes

⚠ Business Tax Certificate required — per employee tax scale
⚠ Base tax $195 (Measure G, effective 2017)
⚠ Per-employee scale: 1=$15, 2-5=$30, 6-10=$70, 11-15=$90, etc.
⚠ 90-day grace period for first-time tax payment
⚠ Santa Clara County DEH for health permits
⚠ Silicon Valley — heavy tech startup presence

Choose Your Business Type

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

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