Welcome to the City of Arcadia. The City is an ideal place to conduct business because of its exciting market opportunities and diverse, affluent community. Establishing a business can be challenging. The City strives to provide as much information as possible to assist with the business process. Below are some key items to be aware of when establishing a business. Please be advised that this list is not inclusive and there may be other requirements depending on the type of business activity.
Choose a business name and if necessary file a Fictitious Business Name with the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder or with Arcadia Weekly, the City's local news publication by calling (626) 301-1010.
Choose a business structure i.e., corporation, limited liability corporation, sole proprietor etc., and register with the Secretary of State.
Employee Identification Numbers
Contact the U.S. Internal Revenue Service for an Employer Identification Number. The IRS will provide you with a Business Kit and information regarding seminars for new businesses. For more information, please call (800) 820-1040.
The local IRS office is located at 9050 Flair Drive in El Monte.If you have no employees, contact the Franchise Tax Board to obtain a Form 540 for estimating the amount of State withholding for yourself by calling (800) 338-0505.
If you have employees, contact the Franchise Tax Board and the State Benefit Payment Department to obtain W2 forms, State Disability, Withholding and Unemployment Insurance, and any other applicable information.
Select a Business Location
Select a commercial business location and before signing a lease, contact the Planning Services Division at (626) 574-5423 to check if the business use is permitted per the zoning of the prospective business location. Home-based businesses are permitted in the City as long as certain standards are met. To learn more visit the Home Occupation Permit page.
Apply For City of Arcadia Business License
Apply for a City of Arcadia Business License once it has been verified by the Planning Services Division that your business may operate at the desired commercial business location. You may apply for a business license online or download and Business License Application and Business License City Review and Approval Application and submit the application to the Business License Office at:
Arcadia City Hall
Business License Division
240 W. Huntington Drive
Post Office Box 60021
Arcadia, CA 91066-6021
Speciality Licenses and Permits
Depending on the type of business activity you may be required to obtain specialty licenses and permits as follows:
Seller's Permit:
If you are doing business in California and intend to sell or lease tangible personal property subject to sales tax sold at retail, you are required to have a seller's permit issued by the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration. Once you obtain a seller's permit you must display it at your place of business. To obtain information or a permit, contact the district office by calling (626) 480-7200, or visiting 1521 W. Cameron Avenue, Suite 300, West Covina, CA 91793.
Health Permit:
Any retail food facility, defined as "a place where food is stored, prepared, served, packaged, transported, or otherwise handled for dispensing or sale directly to the consumer," must first obtain Health Department approval. This includes, but is not limited to liquor stores, grocery stores, bakeries, restaurants, lounges, coffee shops, and manufactures of ice or soft drinks. To apply for health permit, contact the Los Angeles County Health Department at (800) 427-8700.
Liquor License:
If you plan on selling alcoholic beverages a liquor license from the Department of Alcohol Beverage Control (ABC) is required. For more information visit the local ABC office at 222 E. Huntington Drive, Suite 114, Monrovia, CA 91016 or call (626) 256-3241.
Agencies which may be helpful in setting up your own business by providing financial assistance, educational programs, reference material, and various publications are listed below. Please click on the appropriate link, which will take you to the organization's website: