Effective January 1, 2024, Assembly Bill 783 (AB783), Single-User Restrooms, requires that toilet facilities that are defined as “single-user toilet facility”, per California Health and Safety Code Section 118600, shall be identified as all-gender toilet facilities and will be designated for use by no more than one occupant at a time, for family use or assisted use by signage that complies with Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations. For details go to https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov.

You can use the Business Tax Calculator below to calculate the amount of business tax you owe to the City of Brentwood. Just enter your business’ gross receipts in the box indicated.

Gross receipts are the total revenue generated by your business within the City of Brentwood before any expenses are deducted.

A penalty will be assessed if your certificate renewal is not paid by the last day of the month following your certificate's expiration date. See Business Tax Certificate Renewals for more information.

New businesses must pay an application fee of $57.01.

A home occupation zoning review application is required if you are conducting your business from your home in the City of Brentwood.

For further information on the governing Municipal Code see 5.04 Business Tax Certification.

If you require any assistance, please call (925) 516-5480.

Depending on the type of business being conducted, please consult the Department of Consumer Affairs at www.dca.ca.gov or 400 “R” Street, Sacramento or call toll free (800) 952-5210.

Building Contractors contact the California Contractors State License Board at www.cslb.ca.gov or 9821 Business Park Dr, Sacramento or call toll free (800) 321-2752.

An Employer Identification Number (EIN), also known as a federal tax identification number, is used to identify a business entity. Generally a partnership, corporation or LLC business needs an EIN. Most banks require an EIN when opening a corporate bank account. You will need an EIN if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions:

• Do you have employees?
• Do you operate your business as a corporation or a partnership?
• Do you file any of these tax returns: Employment, Excise, or Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms?
• Do you withhold taxes on income, other than wages, paid to a non-resident alien?
• Do you have a Keogh plan?
• Are you involved with any of the following types of organizations?
  
  • Trusts, except certain grantor-owned revocable trusts, IRAs, Exempt Organization Business Income Tax Returns
  • Estates
  • Real estate mortgage investment conduits
  • Non-profit organizations
  • Farmers' cooperatives
  • Plan administrators

A Home Occupation Zoning Review Application is required if you are conducting business in the City of Brentwood, live in the City of Brentwood and do not operate from a commercial / store front location in the City.

The Home Occupation Zoning Review Application lists prohibited uses and prohibited activities and must be approved by the City of Brentwood’s Community Development Department.

CA Board of Equalization
If you charge sales tax you will need to apply for a Sales Tax Number or Resale Number.

Contra Costa County Clerk-Recorder
You must register your business name with the County Clerk-Recorder to get your Fictitious Business Name.

IRS - Taxpayer Identification Numbers
If you have employees, you may need to apply for a Federal Identification Number.

CA Alcoholic Beverage Control
If you are serving alcoholic beverages, you may need to apply with the Alcoholic Beverage Control Licensing.

CA Department of Justice - Bureau of Firearms
If you are selling or trading in firearms, new laws require you to register with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms for a Federal Firearms License (FFL) and a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) from the Department of Justice.

Brentwood Police
If you are selling or trading secondhand merchandise or pawn broking, new laws require you to register with the Police Department.  Please contact the Police Department directly at (925)634-6911 for more information.

CA Department of Justice
If you deal in check cashing, you must register with the Department of Justice.

USA.gov Small Business Resources
Information and services provided by the government for the business community.

CalGold
California Permit Assistance CalGOLD provides businesses with information on permits and other requirements of California agencies at all levels of government.

CA Environmental Protection Agency
Environmental Protection Agency This California agency may need to review and approve your permit application.

SCORE
Deals with basic legal issues.

US Small Business Association
Information regarding starting and managing small businesses.

CA Division of Workers' Compensation
The homepage of the State of California's Division of Workers' Compensation.

CA Department of Industrial Relations
Links to other agencies that deal with worker's compensation laws and requirements.

CA Employment Development Department
The Employment Development Department administers state unemployment and non-industrial disability insurance programs.

CA Department of Consumer Affairs
Department of Consumer Affairs, information provided for the business community.

California Contractors States License Board
Information provided to building contractors by the California Contractors States License Board.

Additional Numbers

• Brentwood Chamber of Commerce: (925) 634-3344
• Better Business Bureau: (510) 238-1000
• Contractors State License Board: (800) 321-2752
• Business Resource Center (Private Industry Council of Contra Costa County): (925) 602-6840
• Child Care Licensing - State Department of Social Services: (510) 622-2602
  If you have 6 or less and only one other family's children besides yours, you are exempt from a City business license.
• Business License for unincorporated areas, County offices: (925) 674-7200
• Import Businesses - U.S. Customs Import Specialist: (877) 227-5511