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The City of Sonoma Invites Nominations for the 2024 Honorary Alcalde

View/Download the Press Release as PDF Sonoma, CA - November 27, 2023 – The City of Sonoma (City) is excited to announce the commencement of the nomination process for the prestigious title of Honorary Alcalde for the year 2024. Nominations are open to the public, and the City encourages community members to put forth deserving...

Think Local First: Shop Sonoma this Holiday Season

With the holidays around the corner, it's the perfect time to give local businesses a boost while checking off your shopping list. When you shop at small and local stores, you're not just getting unique finds – you're also investing in your community. A percentage of each dollar you spend on taxable goods goes straight...

General Plan Update Task Force Meeting Agenda - November 29, 2023

Sounds of the Season - Holiday Music Series returns to the Plaza

The festive melodies of the holiday season are set to return to the heart of Sonoma Plaza with the Holiday Music Series, presented by Music In Place and proudly sponsored by the Sonoma Tourism Improvement District. Starting December 1st and continuing throughout the month, locals and visitors alike are invited to experience the magic of...

Tree Maintenance Project at Depot Park begins November 27th

We wish to notify the community about an upcoming tree maintenance project at Depot Park in the City of Sonoma. Commencing on November 27, 2023, this project will be carried out by A Plus Tree Services, in collaboration with the City's arborist. The arborist will assess the health and structural integrity of the trees during...

Request for Proposals (RFP) for Management of Extreme Weather Warming Center

Business License Online Services

Apply for or renew a business license completely online. You can also pay a balance due, update your business's main contact information, and search for other businesses that are licensed with the City of Sonoma.

Disability Access Laws

Under Federal and State law, compliance with disability access laws is a serious and significant responsibility that applies to all California building owners and tenants with buildings open to the public. You may obtain information about your legal obligations and how to comply with disability access laws at the following agencies: The Division of the...

Business License Refund and Transfer Policy

Business license taxes are nonrefundable and nontransferable.

AB-783 Notice

California State Assembly Bill No. 783 goes into effect on 1/1/2024. The legislation requires all local governments that issue new or renewed business licenses, equivalent instruments, or permits to provide written notice that single-user toilet facilities must be identified as all-gender toilet facilities.

State Mandated CASp Fee

All businesses, including subcontractors, non-profits, home-based and out-of-state businesses, are subject to the $4 state-mandated fee. (California Senate Bill 1186 required the one dollar ($1.00) State Disability Access Education Fee for all business license applications and renewals from January 1, 2013 until December 31, 2017. Assembly Bill 1379 increased the state-mandated fee to $4.00 after January 1,...

Business License Application and Renewal Process

Apply for a New License You can start a new application online or via mail and only takes a few minutes. No payment will be required until your application has been reviewed and accepted. You will receive an email verifying the receipt of the application. After the business taxes are paid a business license account number will...

How do I get a fictitious business name?

This would be done through the County of Sonoma. Additional information and forms can be found on the County of Sonoma website.

I operate a business out of my home, do I only need a business license, or do I need a special permit?

If you are doing any kind of business out of your home, you must obtain a home occupation permit from the City of Sonoma Planning Department. Apply Online.

I live in the City of Sonoma and work out of my home providing services to customers remotely. None of these customers a located in the City of Sonoma. Do I still need a business license? If so, is there a specific category for home business?

Yes, you do need a City of Sonoma Business License. Even though you are not serving local customers, your business is operating within the City of Sonoma. There is no specific category for home businesses, so you would select the classification/category that is applicable to the services you provide.

I had an active business license two years ago, but didn’t renew last year because I did not do business in the City of Sonoma, but now need a license for this year. Do I still have to pay for a last year's license?

If the City does not have evidence of notification from you and records indicate your license was not inactivated, then you must pay for last year's business license, including penalties before you can obtain a license for the new year.

Do I need to pay per employee and per vehicle if I deliver to customers in the City of Sonoma and provide services?

No, businesses are not required to pay both business taxes. If services are provided, then the business tax would only be calculated based on the services, not delivery. For example: a business delivers furniture to a new restaurant, assembles, and installs the furniture. The business license tax would be calculated based on category “A” /...

Last year I had five (5) employees but only three and a half (3.5) full-time equivalent (FTE) employees, which number do I use to calculate my business license tax?

The annual business license tax shall be based on the average number of persons employed during the previous calendar year (SMC 5.08). In this scenario, five employees would be used to calculate the business license tax.

Am I penalized for not renewing on time?

To avoid penalties, license fees must be paid by February 1 of each year. If payment is received after the delinquent date with a late or missing postmark - the payment will be considered late, penalties will be added and a balance due email will be sent to you.

When do I renew my license?

Business Licenses must be renewed annually. HDL will email or mail courtesy renewal notices in December for the following calendar year. It is the business's responsibility to ensure their license is renewed on an annual basis prior to the due date.

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