I want to open a business in Santa Clarita. Where do I start?
Our team of Economic Development professionals is here to walk you through every step of opening your business in Santa Clarita—from helping you navigate our One-Stop Permit Center to connecting you with useful resources and services. Call the Economic Development Division at (661) 255-4347 or email EconDevInfo@santaclarita.gov for assistance.
The City of Santa Clarita also provides SizeUp Santa Clarita, a free market research and business intelligence tool. SizeUp Santa Clarita can provide valuable data as you begin planning and researching for your business concept. You can use SizeUp Santa Clarita to:
- Benchmark performance compared to industry competitors
- Optimize advertising to target ideal customer segments
- Discover customers and suppliers
- Analyze the demographics, labor force, and consumer base of your area
- Explore potential sites for your business
Do I need a business license to operate in Santa Clarita?
The City of Santa Clarita does not issue or require business licenses. However, you may need to obtain a business license from Los Angeles County depending on the location of your business and/or the activities that your business engages in. Visit Los Angeles County’s website to learn more about the County’s business license requirements.
What is the minimum wage in Santa Clarita?
The City of Santa Clarita abides by the minimum wage set by the State of California. Effective January 1, 2024, the minimum wage in California will be $16.00 per hour for all employers. Therefore, effective January 1, 2024, the minimum wage for businesses located within the City of Santa Clarita will be $16.00 per hour. Information regarding the State’s minimum wage can be found here: Minimum Wage Frequently Asked Questions (ca.gov).
Businesses located in unincorporated areas of the Santa Clarita Valley may be under the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County and will need to abide by the County’s minimum wage requirements. To check the jurisdiction that your business falls under, visit Residency.Santa-Clarita.com and input your business address. You can also use the City’s Mapping Your City tool to view the City of Santa Clarita’s boundaries.
I want to learn more about Santa Clarita’s population and determine my customer base. Where can I find information about Santa Clarita’s demographics?
You can use SizeUp Santa Clarita, a free-market research and business intelligence tool provided by the City of Santa Clarita, to explore the demographics, labor force, and consumer base of Santa Clarita. Simply launch the tool, enter your business industry, and click “Analyze Demographics” to learn more about the demographics of Santa Clarita.
I am not sure if my business is under the jurisdiction of the City of Santa Clarita or Los Angeles County. How can I determine if my business is located in the City of Santa Clarita?
To check the jurisdiction that your business falls under, visit Residency.Santa-Clarita.com and input your business address. You can also use the City’s Mapping Your City tool to view the City’s boundaries and determine if your business is located within the City of Santa Clarita.
I need to make modifications to my business site. Where can I obtain building permits?
The City’s One-Stop Permit Center is located on the first floor of City Hall in Suite 140. This is your location for all of your building and safety, engineering, and planning needs. Visit the One-Stop Permit Center at 23920 Valencia Boulevard, Suite 140, Santa Clarita, CA 91355.
You can also apply for permits online using the eService system. In partnership with Accela, Inc., the City’s eService system allows businesses to electronically submit development-related plans and documents to the City for plan and project review, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
My production/studio is looking to film in Santa Clarita. Where can I obtain filming permits?
Any filming on private or public property that occurs within the City of Santa Clarita requires a film permit with the exception of news crews, family videoing, and filming that takes place entirely on a certified sound stage. The Santa Clarita Film Office is here to help guide you through the permit process. Call the Film Office at (661) 284-1425 to discuss your project and learn about the process before you submit a permit application. Visit FilmSantaClarita.com to learn more.
