Business License Procedures
Congratulations on your new business in the beautiful City of Mt. Shasta. The City welcomes new business enterprises and values the many businesses that have made Mt. Shasta their home.
The City of Mt. Shasta requires all organizations operating within the City to have a business license (Business License Ordinance Title 5.04).
To apply for a business license please complete, sign, and mail the Business License Application form with payment calculated from the Business License Fees. If you need more information, we will be happy to assist you, and can be reached by calling (530) 926-7510.
If you are going to be operating your business out of your home, you may be required to obtain a Home Occupation Permit from the Mt. Shasta Planning Department.
Planning Department clearance is required if you are installing or changing any signage, or you are modifying the facility or changing the type of the facility in any way. They will assist you in determining requirements, prior to that department's approval of your application. Building Department clearance is required if you are making any modifications to the facility in which you are operating, or it is a change in the type of use previously at that facility.
Included with the Business License Application procedure an Emergency Contact Information form must also be completed. This allows the Police Department to contact business owners or managers in the event of an emergency during or after business hours.
Siskiyou County Health Department approval is required for all of types of facilities listed on the Health Department Worksheet. Please contact them prior to submitting your Business License Application.
Business Improvement Area Tax
There are additional fees for businesses that are located in the downtown Mt. Shasta Business Improvement Area: Parking District Fees and Snow Removal Fees. To determine if you are located within the boundaries of the Business Improvement Area, please see the Business Improvement Area Map.
Parking District fees are based on the square footage of the business area for retail and commercial office space. For restaurants the fees are based on the number of seats within the facility. Any privately owned parking spaces will be given a credit per parking space, which will be deducted from the total amount calculated.
Additional Licenses or Permits
A permit is required for any sign on the outside of the building. This also includes sandwich board signs and temporary banners. Contact the Mt. Shasta Planning Department for more information.
An encroachment permit is required if you will be encroaching on city property (ie: Sandwich boards, tables, sidewalk sales, etc). For more information contact Mt. Shasta .
Fictitious Business Name: If your business name is going to be anything other than your name, a fictitious name statement must be obtained from the Siskiyou County Clerk's office located at 311 4th Street, Yreka, CA 96097 (530) 842-8084. A copy of the Fictitious Name Statement needs to be provided to the City when applying for a business license.
Internal Revenue Service: Your business may need a Federal Tax I.D. number, which is required for reporting Federal Income Tax. Some business designations will only require a social security number. Contact the Internal Revenue Service at (800) TAX-10401, or visit their website for more information.
All businesses need to report State Income Tax. You will need to contact the Franchise Tax Board at (800) 852-5711, or visit their website for more information.
If your business is a retail sales business, you will need to pay Sales Tax. To obtain a Seller's Permit, you will need to contact the State Board of Equalization at (800) 400-7115, or visit their website for more information.
Other Resources
JEDI - Jefferson Economic Development Institute
403 Berry Street, Mt. Shasta, CA 96067 (530) 926-6670
Mt. Shasta Chamber of Commerce
300 Pine St., Mt. Shasta, CA 96067 (530) 926-3696
Mt. Shasta City Revolving Loan Fund (CDBG)
Administrated by Great Northern Corporation
708 S. Davis Street, Weed, CA 96094(530) 938-4115
Siskiyou County Economic Development Council
1512 S. Oregon Street, Yreka, CA 96097 (530) 842-1638
Workforce Connection
Employer Resource Center: 310 Boles Street, Weed, CA 96094 (530) 938-3231
What can we help you with?
Please Contact Us with any questions, suggestions or concerns.