Downtown Long Beach » Clean & Safe

OPEN YOUR BUSINESS

1. Develop a Business Plan

Provide your business with an accurate and realistic path for success. Business start-up assistance and other programs available from the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) hosted by Long Beach City College. The SBDC provides one-on-one counseling, business training seminars in marketing, financing, business start-up, international trade, and procurement programs to small businesses. Long Beach Small Business Development Center
3447 Atlantic Ave., Suite 205
Long Beach, CA 90808
Phone: 562.570.4574
lbsbdc.lbcc.edu/

OPEN YOUR BUSINESS

2. Bridge the Gap

Once you have a business plan drafted, determine if your prospective business has particular needs that can be met by one of the City of Long Beach's business development programs.

The City of Long Beach's Bureau of Economic Development and Cultural Affairs has information on business loans, business incentive programs, starting a business, free business counseling services, job training, placement assistance, and export development assistance.

The City of Long Beach Economic Development and Cultural Affairs Bureau
110 Pine Avenue, Suite 1100
Long Beach, CA 90802
Phone: 562. 570.3800
www.longbeach.gov/ecd/

OPEN YOUR BUSINESS

3. Choose a Site for your Business

Either through working with a broker or using the resource available on this site, select options suitable for your business that are aligned with the business model outlined in your business plan.

View Available Spaces

OPEN YOUR BUSINESS

4. Confirm that Zoning will allow your Intended Use

All land and buildings in Long Beach are subject to zoning by the City of Long Beach. Among other things, zoning regulates the types of use allowed on each site. It is imperative that the business you intend to open is aligned with the zoning. For more information about the uses permitted on the site, contact the City of Long Beach's Department of Development Services:

The City of Long Beach Department of Development Services
Phone: (562) 570-6194
View PDF

OPEN YOUR BUSINESS

5. File a Fictitious Name (dba)

If you intend to name your firm anything other than your own name, you must file a fictitious business name, also called a dba (Doing Business As). To File a Fictitious Business Name:

Los Angeles County Registrar
Phone: (562) 462-2177
LA County Registrar Website

OPEN YOUR BUSINESS

6. Get a Business License

Any person operating a business in the City must obtain a business license and pay an annual business license tax. Additionally, the Business License Division can tell you which permits are necessary before opening.

The City of Long Beach Business License Division
Phone: (562) 570-6211
www.longbeach.gov/commercial/business_licenses.asp

OPEN YOUR BUSINESS

7. Get Important State Permits

The Business Development Center, the Business License Division, and the Development Services Center can all help you determine what other permits or licenses you may need. Contact the appropriate offices listed below.

For Wholesale and Retail Businesses
To Apply for a Seller's Permit:
State Board of Equalization: (310) 516-4300

For Restaurants and Food Vendors
A Health Inspection is required.
City of Long Beach Health Department: (562) 570-4132 ext. 0

For Restaurants Serving Alcohol and Liquor Stores
A Liquor License is required.
California Department of Alcoholic Beverages Control: (562) 982-1337

For Some Types of Retail and Manufacturing
South Coast AQMD: (310) 233-7000
www.aqmd.gov

Business Structure
If you are filing as a corporation, S corporation, partnership, or limited liability company, you must register with the Secretary of State.
Secretary of State: (916) 657-5448
www.ss.ca.gov

OPEN YOUR BUSINESS

8. Get the Right City Permits

The City of Long Beach's Development Services Center has representatives from various City offices to help determine the permits you will need. The Center is located in City Hall, 4th Floor, 333 West Ocean Boulevard. Contact Development Services staff directly at the numbers listed below:

Zoning
For questions about Zoning, Environmental Review, Land Use, and Conditional Use Permits.
Phone: (562) 570-6194

Development Services
For questions about Plan Check, Mechanical, and Electrical Permits.
Phone: (562) 570-6651

Business License
Phone: (562) 570-6211

Public Works
For questions on public right-of-way, sanitation, and recycling.
Phone: (562) 570-7082

Fire Prevention Services
Phone: (562) 570-7086

Permit Processing Assistance
The Development Services Help Desk offers business assistance by providing information, guidance, counseling, mediation and referral services in getting through the City's permitting process.
Phone: (562) 570-6952

OPEN YOUR BUSINESS

9. Get a Federal Taxpayer Identification Number

A partnership, corporation, or a sole proprietorship with employees requires a Federal Tax I.D. Number. A sole proprietorship without employees can use the owner's social security number.

Internal Revenue Service
Phone: (562) 491-7751
irs.gov

OPEN YOUR BUSINESS

10. Get a CA State Identification Number

The same rules generally apply for a State Tax I.D. Number as for a Federal Tax I.D. Number.

Franchise Tax Board
Phone: (800) 852-5711
ftb.ca.gov

OPEN YOUR BUSINESS

11. Open a Checking Account for Your Business

Separate business and personal accounting is essential when you file your tax return. Contact your local bank or credit union to create a checking account for your new business.

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Clean & Safe

Clean and Safe, Every Step of the Way

Downtown Long Beach is one of the safest neighborhoods in the City of Long Beach. Much credit goes to the Long Beach Police Department, Fire Department, City services, and numerous community organizations dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for all who visit, live, and work Downtown.The Downtown Long Beach Associates contributes to keeping the Downtown attractive and secure through two central programs that work in the 85-square block area of the Property-Based Improvement District.

The Clean Team

Sweeps and steam cleans Downtown sidewalks and gutters
Removes graffiti from walls, buildings, and light poles within 24 hours
Removes weeds and litter from tree wells and planters
Removes paper signs and handbills from public property

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The Safe Team(Downtown Guides)

Safe Team Dispatch: (562) 244-1365

Maintains radio communication with LBPD
Provides walking and driving directions
Gives dining and shopping recommendations
Offers safety escorts
Assists vehicle owners with changing tires or jumping batteries
Offers outreach to homeless individuals and panhandlers

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Clean and Safe Employees of the Quarter

Homeless Outsearch

The DLBA is active in several local homeless initiatives and works closely with the LBPD’s Quality of Life Team and Mental Health Evaluation Team, both of which administer field assessments to identify those in need. The Guides also work regularly with an outreach worker from the Multi-Service Center to connect homeless individuals and panhandlers to available services. Below is additional information on the homeless services community serving the Downtown.

10-Year Plan to End Homelessness
Multi-Service Center: Operated by the City of Long Beach, Department of Health and Human Services, along with several co-located nonprofit agencies, the MSC collaborative is designed to provide one-stop access to resources for individuals and families experiencing homelessness within the City of Long Beach
Cold Weather Shelter: operated by Long Beach Rescue Mission December 1-March 15, pick-ups at 1st Congregational Church (241 Cedar Avenue) at 5:30 p.m., 6:00 p.m., and 6:30 p.m.
City of Long Beach Homeless Services Advisory Committee meets the first Wednesday of each month at 3pm at the Multi-Service Center (1301 West 12th Street Long Beach, CA 90813)
Long Beach Area Coalition for the Homeless meets the first Wednesday of each month at 8:30 a.m. at the Multi-Service Center
Long Beach Connections is a grass roots initiative, co-chaired by Joel Roberts, CEO Path Partners, and Martha Long, Director Emeritus of MHA Village, geared towards helping develop coordinated responses to address homelessness in Long Beach. Participating stakeholders include the City of Long Beach, Police and Fire departments, CSULB, local hospitals, business groups, residents, faith groups, and service agencies.

Communications

	Public Safety Newsletter Published monthly and distributed via e-mail, the Public Safety newsletter provides information on issues as diverse as skateboarding in the public right-of-way and practicing good security at one’s business.
	Whose Job Is It? A handy one-page pdf providing resources to report nuisances to the appropriate City offices. Disponible en español.
	Clean and Safe Brochure A pdf version of a print brochure giving an overview of the Clean and Safe Teams.
	Important Phone Numbers & Links A quick list of phone numbers, from LBPD to reporting potholes.

Meetings

Public Safety Task Force
The aim of the Public Safety Task Force is to improve communications and ensure that Downtown Long Beach remains one of the safest Downtowns in California. Usually meets the last Thursday of the month at 9:30 a.m. at the DLBA office, but please visit the Task Force page linked above to verify this month’s schedule.

Operations Committee

A monthly meeting of City staff, residential representatives, and other agencies focused on coordinating services to improve the physical environment of the Downtown. Meets the second Friday of the month at 8:30AM at the DLBA office.

Downtown Security Alliance

A monthly networking and educational meeting of Downtown’s private security providers featuring educational speakers. Meets the third Thursday of the month at 10:00AM at various locations.
Next meeting is December 16, 2010, at 10am at Landmark Square (111 West Ocean Boulevard, Suite 1570).

LBPD South Division Quarterly Leadership and Downtown Community Watch

Features LBPD South Division Commander providing updates on safety and crime prevention as well as Downtown Neighborhood Watch for residents and businesses.

Dining and Entertainment District

For businesses with entertainment licenses and also residents within the Entertainment District–bounded by the north side of Ocean Boulevard, the south side of Third Street, the east side of Pacific Avenue, and the west side of Long Beach Boulevard, and the areas known as the Pike at Rainbow Harbor and Shoreline Village.

For more information about anything on this page, please contact the DLBA office via phone at 562.436.4259 or e-mail.

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