Start a business
San Jose is a great location to start a business. Whether you’re hoping to access one of the most talented and diverse workforces in the world, accessing one of our culturally sophisticated market segments, or simply filling a need within the community, everyone has to start somewhere. Things to consider:

• Business structure: Sole Proprietorship, Inc., LLC, LLP – how’s your business organized? Find out more
• Business name: What’s in a name? A great name can help your business stand out from the crowd but you need to ensure that you’re not infringing on someone else’s business name. Find out more
• Business Tax: A business tax allows you to do business in San Jose and must be paid prior to beginning business activity. Depending on the nature of your business you may need additional licenses and permits, but this is a must for all. Find out more

Find a Location

Finding the right space to house and operate your business is critical in ensuring your success. What areas or type of space is right for you? You need to be informed about what you can and cannot do in certain locations to make sure that your business is a good fit.

Things to consider:

• Working from home: A home office can be a great place to start a business, especially if you provide a service. However you need to know the rules to make sure there aren’t restrictions on operating your particular business from your home. Also check in your insurance agent and a tax advisor about other requirements. Find out more
• Commercial Space: San Jose has over 100 million square feet of built commercial/industrial space and finding the right one can be tough. Through our partners at SVEDA, Silicon Valley Online provides access to a searchable database of available commercial listings. Find out more
• Zoning: All business locations must be in a zone suited to the type of business that is being conducted. You may also need a development or use permit depending upon your location which could be more limited than the applicable zoning requirements. Find out more

Setting Up
Getting ready to open your doors? Make sure that you have all of the right permits and licenses that apply to your business. Also consider how the City can help you succeed and support your growth in San Jose.

Things to consider:

• Permits and licenses: Navigating through the variety of city, county, state and Federal rules and regulations can be confusing. CalGOLD Business Permits Made Simple can help you navigate these requirements and provide easy points of contact for different organizations. Find out more
• Workforce: Need to add new workers and get them up to speed quickly? We can help by offering Workforce Expansion Services to businesses located throughout San Jose free posting of job listings, access to qualified job applicants, pre-employment screening, and use of any of the work2future One-Stop Centers for seminars, training, information sessions, recruitments, and interviews. Find out more
• Business assistance: The City offers a number of business assistance programs that could benefit your business by offsetting costs or providing access to a variety of different resources. Find out more