Local Requirements

Disclaimer: Great care has been taken to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information provided here. Nonetheless, the new business owner is cautioned to contact the City of Foster City and the San Mateo County governments to confirm the requirements and to determine if other requirements are necessary for their business. The Foster City Chamber of Commerce assumes no liability for the correctness of the information presented here.

1. Zoning and Local Permits

- before signing a lease or beginning a business, verify that the
planned use and location comply with zoning regulations; otherwise
apply for a zoning permit for your special use
- you may also need to consider the possibility of choosing a
different business location
- this is also necessary for Home Businesses

Contact:
Planning/Code Enforcement Division
610 Foster City Blvd.
Foster City, CA 94404
Tel: (650) 286-3225
E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
see webpage

2. Obtain a Business License – Local Tax Registration Certificate

- a business license is required for each city in which you conduct business
- a Home Business would require a Home Occupation permit

Contact:
Business Licenses
610 Foster City Blvd.
Foster City, CA 94404
Tel: (650) 286-3262
Fax: (650) 574-3483
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
see webpage

3. Register Fictitious Business Name with County

- check with the local County Clerks Office to see if anyone else is using the
name you propose to use for your business
- fill out and submit the Fictitious Business Name Statement form

Contact:
San Mateo County Clerk’s Office
555 County Center, First Floor
Redwood City, CA 94063-1665
Tel: (650) 363-4500
Fax: (650) 363-4843
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see webpage

4. Publish your Fictitious Business Name Statement

- in a court approved newspaper once a week for four consecutive weeks

Some Contacts:
Foster City Islander
1185 Chess Drive, Suite B
Foster City, CA 94404
Tel: (650) 574-5952
see webpage

The Examiner
2317 Broadway Suite 305
Redwood City, CA 94063
Phone (650)556-1556
Fax (650)367-8745
see webpage

The San Mateo County Times
c/o Bay Area News Groups
255 Constitution Drive
Menlo Park , CA 94025
Phone (650)391-1000
Fax (650)391-1346
see webpage

5. Sign Ordinance

Foster City requires sign permits and building permits whenever you
install, move, or remove signs.
It is important to verify that the type, size, number and design of signs
that your business will need is allowed at the location you propose to
purchase or lease.

Contact:
Planning/Code Enforcement Division
610 Foster City Blvd.
Foster City, CA 94404
Tel: (650) 286-3225
Fax: (650) 286-3589
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
see webpage

6. Additional Licenses and Permits

- depends on the nature of the Business or if business is highly
specialized or if it affects public welfare

Contact:
Community Development Agency
610 Foster City Blvd.
Foster City, CA 94404
Tel: (650) 286-3246
see webpage

San Mateo County
see webpage

Some examples:
Health Department
– preparers, servers, manufacturers, marketers of food, laundries

Contact:
San Mateo County
Environmental Health Services
455 County Center, 4th Floor
Redwood City, CA 94063
Tel: (650) 363-4305
Fax: (650) 363-7882
see webpage

Police Department
– billiard parlors, dance halls, massage parlors, street peddlers,
taxi-cabs, valet parking services

Contact:
Police Department
1030 East Hillsdale Blvd.
Foster City, CA 94404
Tel: (650) 286-3300
E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
see webpage

Fire Department
– garages, storage facilities, service stations, theatres,
handlers of hazardous chemicals or gases

Contact:
Fire Department
1040 East Hillsdale Blvd.
Foster City, CA 94404
Tel: (650) 286-3350
E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
see webpage

Public Works Department
– apartments, hotels

Contact:
Public Works Department
610 Foster City Blvd
Foster City, CA 94404
Tel: (650) 286-3270
Fax: (650) 574-3483
E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
see webpage

City’s Building Department
– for buildings, electrical & plumbing

Contact:
Building Inspection Division
610 Foster City Blvd
Foster City, CA 94404
Tel: (650) 286-3227
Fax: (650) 286-3589
E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
see webpage

Local Sanitary Sewer District
- for food operations which discard large amounts of grease or
other materials

Contact:
Estero Municipal Improvement District
610 Foster City Blvd
Foster City, CA 94404
Tel: (650) 286-3260
E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
see webpage