A business plan offers a structured blueprint for achieving business goals. It will help you identify the actions you need to take, and ensure you stay on track. Many businesses fail without a solid business plan. Having a good business plan can be beneficial when you apply for a loan.

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The City has partnered with business advisors to guide you through the process of starting and operating a business. Advisors provide personalized, one-on-one assistance to help you craft a business plan - completely free of charge. To learn more or schedule a session, contact naz.jalalidin@newarkca.gov.

The City of Newark also offers a variety of workshops covering financial resiliency, business planning, cybersecurity, and digital marketing to support our business community. These workshops are offered in multiple languages. To stay updated on upcoming workshops and other business resources, scan the QR code and subscribe to our Newark Business Buzz newsletter.

The East Bay Small Business Development Center (SBDC), SCORE, Small Business Administration (SBA), and other organizations also provide business advising, workshops, and assistance with business planning, sales & marketing, financial management, and other business issues, at low or no cost. Please contact them for more information.

When beginning a business, you must decide what form of business entity to establish. Your choice of legal structure will affect your income taxes and personal liability. Determining this will clarify what formational documents are required by the State.

A sole proprietor is someone who owns an unincorporated business by themselves. If you are a sole proprietor, no formation documents are required to be filed with the California Secretary of State.

A partnership is the relationship between two or more people to do business. A partnership must file an annual information return to report the income, deductions, gains, losses from its operations, but it does not pay income tax.

A corporation is an entity that is separate from its owners, providing limited liability protection. A limited liability company (LLC) is a flexible business structure that combines the limited liability protection with the taxation simplicity of a partnership. If you are starting a corporation or a limited liability company, you must contact the California Secretary of State’s Office, and they can supply you with all the information and forms needed.

California Secretary of State

1500 11th Street

Sacramento, CA 95814

(916) 653-6814

www.sos.ca.gov

You are strongly advised to contact your own accountant or attorney for advice determining the best legal structure for your business.

Important!

Before signing a lease or purchasing a property, contact the City of Newark’s Planning Division to verify if your business use is allowed in the space or if a Use Permit is required. City zoning ensures that businesses operate in suitable areas, protecting both you and your neighbors from incompatible uses.

Planning Division

(510) 578-4330
planning@newark.org                     

The following tools and listings may help you explore available commercial properties and development opportunities.

www.zoomprospector.com

www.loopnet.com

If you can’t find what you are looking for, the City of Newark’s Economic Development team is eager to help. Feel free to contact the Deputy Economic Development Director at angela.tsui@newarkca.gov.

If your business will operate under a fictitious name or Doing Business As (DBA), you will need to register with the Alameda County Clerk’s Office. This step needs to be completed 40 days before your first transaction and before obtaining a City of Newark Business License. For more details, visit the Alameda County Clerk's Office website.

Also, public notices announcing your business name must be posted for four weeks in the local newspaper, such as East Bay Times, the Tri-City Voice, or the Mercury News.

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All Businesses are required to file State and Federal tax returns. For State tax information, visit www.taxes.ca.gov. For Federal tax information, visit www.irs.gov/businesses.

Will you sell a product? The California Board of Equalization can assist you in determining whether you need a Seller’s Permit. You may also be required to collect sales tax. To do so, the Board of Equalization will need to issue you a resale number to report that sales tax.

Whether you are self-employed or an employer with one or more employees, you must also pay Social Security taxes.

Use Permits

Use Permits may be required depending on the type of business proposed and the extent of the building alterations involved. Application for permits and other required forms can be downloaded from the City of Newark’s website at https://www.newark.org/departments/community - development/planning-division

Building Permits

Building permits are required for most tenant improvements, including any type of construction work, demolition, equipment installation and removal. Before starting any type of work in your store, please check with the Building Inspection Division. File for permits online at Permits Online eTrakit.

(510) 578-4261 (press 1)

building.inspection@newarkca.gov

Sign Permit

If your business would like to display a sign that is visible from outside a building, a Sign Permit is required from the Building Inspection Division. Permits are needed for both permanent and temporary signs. Contact Building Inspection Division for more information.

 (510) 578-4261 (press 1)

building.inspection@newarkca.gov

Any person conducting business, including Internet-based businesses, within the City of Newark is required to have a business license on file. This ordinance also applies to those businesses advertising a Newark address as their physical location and/or using a Newark address for business mailing purposes. Business licenses are non-transferable and do not cancel automatically.

Complete your business license application here: www.blapp.newark.org. If you have questions, visit or call the City of Newark Finance Department Front Desk.

Finance Department Front Desk

(510) 578-4310

finance@newark.org

Home-Based Businesses

Any Newark business that does not have a commercial storefront, office, retail or industrial location is considered to be a home-based business, even if the sales or services are performed on the Internet or outside the residence.

Home-based businesses, also need a home occupation permit. Planning approval is required prior to issuance of business license.  For more details, visit City of Newark’s website at https://www.newark.org   /departments/administrative-services/finance/business-license/home-based- business.

Before starting any construction work for your business, we strongly encourage you to discuss your project with the Building Inspection Division. Skipping this step can lead to unnecessary costs and complications down the road - something we want to help you avoid.

A quick conversation with the Building Inspection Division can help you avoid these pitfalls and ensure a smooth, hassle-free project. The Building Inspection team is here to support you, so please reach out and let's make your construction experience successful from the start!

Building Inspection Division

(510) 578-4261 (press 1)

building.inspection@newarkca.gov

Matthew Farrell

Chief Building Official

(510) 578-4217

matthew.farrell@newarkca.gov 

Planning Division

Verify the zoning designation of your selected location to ensure your business type is permitted. Depending on the zoning regulations, you may be required to obtain a Use Permit. Your first step should be to contact the Planning Division for guidance and confirmation.

Building Inspection Division

As a second step, schedule an appointment with the Building Inspection Division to review any proposed tenant improvements. This should be done before beginning any construction work.

Smaller projects may qualify for an over-the-counter plan review, which can help expedite the permitting process. To avoid unnecessary costs and delays, it’s important to clearly understand your project scope and consult with the Building Inspection Division early in the process.

In most cases, your project plans include your architectural drawings with mechanical, electrical, and plumbing details, a recycling plan, fire prevention and safety features. Additionally, if your project includes a new signage, you may need to submit a separate Sign Permit Application.

Business License

Most projects require a Building Permit, including installations such as flooring, tables and chairs, or hanging displays that could pose a safety risk to patrons. While all projects require an application and plans, the level of detail needed may vary depending on the scope of work.

After you complete the Use Permit and Building Permit processes, apply for a Business License. Applications can be submitted online or in-person. Business licenses must be renewed annually.

Depending on the type of business, you may be required to obtain permits or licenses from the following county, state, or federal agencies.

• Alameda County Environmental Health Permit: deh.acgov.org
• Alcohol Beverage Control (ABC) License: www.abc.ca.gov
• California Department of Consumer Affairs License: www.dca.ca.gov
• Import/Export Permit: www.cbp.gov/trade
• Family Child Care License: https://www.cdss.ca.gov/inforesources/child-care-licensing
• Retail and Wholesale Business Permits: https://www.cdtfa.ca.gov/taxes-and-fees/faqseller.htm
• Contractor’s License Construction: https://www.cslb.ca.gov/
• Other Permits and Licenses: https://www.calgold.ca.gov/

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To determine what other regional, state, and federal permits and licenses your business may need, please visit the State’s CalGOLD Business Permits Made Simple website at www.calgold.ca.gov.

If you have employees, you are required to be located in a commercial location. You will need to contact IRS to obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN).

Also, be sure to register with the California Employment Development Department (EDD). They will provide you with the necessary forms and answer any questions you may have regarding your responsibilities. As an employer, the State requires you to do the following:

• Withhold state income tax
• Withhold state disability insurance
• Pay unemployment tax
• Pay for any employment training costs

As an employer, you are required to carry workers’ compensation insurance. You may obtain this insurance through your own insurance agent or the State Fund of California.

Workforce Development Support:

Alameda County Workforce Development Board provides support to help businesses find and train employees.

The Ohlone College Career Center has many different services available to help you match your hiring needs.

Businesses can play a significant role in reducing waste by recycling and composting properly, which is not only environmentally responsible but also a legal requirement in California. By adopting these practices, businesses contribute to a greener future and comply with state regulations.

Check This:

StopWaste helps businesses in Alameda County reduce operating costs, improve efficiency, and protect the environment through waste prevention strategies. Services include assistance with hazardous waste management, recycling programs, food scraps collection, green business certifications, and grant opportunities.

• Newark Chamber of Commerce

35501 Cedar Blvd

Newark, CA 94560

(510) 578-4500

www.newark-chamber.com

• Old Town Business Association

Veronica Reyes

President

(510) 938-7944

 Hector Soto

Membership Committee

(510) 378-4730