Downtown Long Beach

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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PBID FAQ

MAINTAINING AND IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN DOWNTOWN LONG BEACH:
Frequently Asked Questions about the Downtown “PBID”

What is the Downtown Long Beach PBID?

The PBID – or Property-Based Improvement District – is a special benefit district where property is assessed to fund downtown improvements and services in addition to those provided by the City of Long Beach. The PBID was originally formed in 1998 through a property owner initiated petition and ballot process. The process was repeated in 2003, allowing the PBID to continue for another 10 years.

Do All Properties Currently Pay PBID Assessments?

No. Owner-occupied residential and non-profit owned properties currently are exempt from PBID assessments. These exemptions result from the 2003 PBID plan; however, recent interpretations of California laws governing property assessments require that all properties – regardless of use – pay PBID assessments in the future. However, even government property and buildings, such as those owned by the City of Long Beach and the Long Beach Redevelopment Agency, contribute to the PBID.

What Services Does the PBID Provide?

The PBID helps fund programs to make downtown clean, safe and vital. Perhaps the most visible PBID-funded services are the uniformed Clean Team and Safety Patrols. Currently, nearly 800 hours of Clean Team services are deployed each week throughout downtown to sweep and power wash sidewalks, and remove litter and graffiti. An additional 520 hours of Safety Patrols prevent crime by working with the Long Beach Police Department, plus offer visitor information and employee escort services. About two-thirds of PBID assessments are devoted to the Clean and Safe program, and 100% of the Clean and Safe program is financed by the PBID. Other initiatives funded by PBID assessments include marketing, special events, economic development, beautification and advocacy. A current PBID budget graph and a matrix of services are provided below.

I Already Pay Taxes, Why Support a PBID?

Since 1998, the PBID has stabilized the Downtown Long Beach environment and has leveraged new public and private investment in downtown. Through its provision of value-added services, Downtown today is dramatically cleaner, safer and more vital than it was 15 years ago. In these challenging times, going backwards is not an option. Additionally, PBID assessments offer direct accountability to those who pay — budget decisions are made by the non-profit Downtown Long Beach Associates’ (DLBA) Board of Directors; a Board composed of contributing commercial property owners, businesses and residents.

Is the PBID Unique to Long Beach?

No. More than 1,000 PBIDs exist throughout North America, while more than 80 PBIDs have been established in California since 1995. Virtually every major downtown in California now has a PBID, including San Diego, Santa Monica, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Sacramento, to name a few.

How Much Does It Cost?

Currently, three benefit zones exist in the Downtown Long Beach PBID acknowledging different frequencies of services in each zone. Assessment rates are based on a calculation of street frontage, lot and building square footage. A map of the current PBID boundaries and service areas is provided below.

Why Should Owner-Occupied Residential Properties Now Pay?

California assessment law requires that all properties must pay, unless they can demonstrate they do not benefit from PBID services. During the past several years, PBIDs in other California cities have included all uses – commercial, residential and non-profit. Sometimes different rates are applied to different uses, since there are different levels of benefit. We have the flexibility to design a rate structure that works for Long Beach.

How Much Does This Cost for the Average Residential Condo Owner in Other California PBIDs?

In other California PBIDs, residential rates have averaged from $200 to $300 per unit per year, or less than a dollar a day. If the rates used by the existing PBID methodology remain similar for the next term of the PBID, costs to owners of Downtown Long Beach condominiums would range from $73 to $120 per year, depending on the condominium property’s location in either the premium or standard service areas.

If Owner-Occupied Residential is Included, Will We Have a Voice on How the Money Is Used?

Yes. PBID program, budget and assessment decisions are made by DLBA’s Board. The 2011-2012 DLBA Board already includes two residential seats. In addition to Board representation, there are also two seats reserved for residential representatives on all four DLBA Task Forces that oversee departmental programming.

How Long Will the PBID Last?

Under state law, the PBID carries a 10 year term. A longer term can be arranged if property owners, businesses and residents want it. To extend assessments beyond its term, a new PBID Plan will need to be developed and then support will need to be secured from another petition and ballot process.

What Are the Next Steps?

The PBID renewal process includes several steps:

• A PBID Management Plan will be developed based upon the priorities articulated by property owners, businesses and residents. A participatory process to develop the Management Plan is underway and is expected to be completed by the end of 2011.
• Priorities for the PBID plan are being sought, and plan recommendations will be presented to the community in the fall.
• In early 2012, PBID proponents will launch a drive to sign petitions supporting renewal from affected property owners. Petitions must be secured from property owners representing a majority of the weighted assessments to be paid.
• Following the submission of petitions to the City, ballots will be mailed to all affected property owners. The PBID is renewed if favorable ballots are returned via mail by property owners representing a majority of the weighted assessments.

FOR MORE INFORMATION
562-436-4259
www.downtownlongbeach.org

EXISTING PBID ANNUAL BUDGET – $1.89 MILLION

MATRIX OF CURRENT PBID PROGRAM DEPLOYMENT

MAP OF THE CURRENT DOWNTOWN LONG BEACH PBID

MAP OF THE PROPOSED DOWNTOWN LONG BEACH PBID

*To view the proposed boundaries in greater detail, please click the image above