Business

Starting, owning, and closing a business.

Find help for small businesses

The Office of Small Business is the City's central point of information for small businesses located in the City and County of San Francisco. We offer one-on-one business assistance, online and in person at City Hall and the Permit Center.

Learn more

Services

Register

Step by step guide to starting a business in San Francisco

Find out where to begin, what you need, and how to plan for success

Register a new business

If you engage in business in San Francisco, you must register, renew your registration annually, and show your Registration Certificate in your place of business.

Get your small business permits with a 30-day review

Open a new business or change your business operations under Prop H.

Operate

Pay business tax

Businesses must file and pay taxes and fees on a regular basis.

Renew, change, or refile a Fictitious Business Name (FBN)

Tell the City if you want to change your registered trade name, address, or ownership information.

Update business information

You must tell the City if you change your mailing address or begin operating at a new location.

Close

Close a business

If your business stops operating you must tell the City.

Give up a Fictitious Business Name (FBN)

You must tell the City if you plan to abandon your business trade name or close your business.

More services

Apply for a construction grant for your small business storefront

Get grant funds for your storefront improvement construction project through the SF Shines program.

Apply for a street vending permit

Get a permit to sell merchandise or prepackaged food on the sidewalk.

Get a dog walking permit

Required for an individual to walk 4 or more dogs (limited to 8 dogs total) at any one time, on public property.

Get City help if your business is affected by the pandemic

Loans, grants, and other financial help.

Join the Neighborhood Anchor Business Registry

You can join if your business has been in continuous operation in San Francisco for at least 15 years.

Operate your business safely

Stay home when feeling sick, get tested, know your choices for vaccines and masks.

Register your vacant storefront

Vacant storefronts must be registered within 30 days of vacancy and re-registered every year.

Report a violation of San Francisco’s food delivery service requirements

Food delivery services must follow several City requirements when contracting with San Francisco restaurants. Learn about these requirements and how to report a violation.

Starter guides for small businesses

Find resources and processes for the most common types of small businesses in San Francisco.

Small business storefronts

View services and resources for small businesses with storefronts that serve the public.

Event permitting

Your business can get permits to host events.

Massage and body arts businesses

Starting and running a massage, tattoo, or piercing business.

News

Small business newsletter for September 2022

San Francisco Small Business Commission adds nine new Legacy Businesses during summer 2022

San Francisco Business Portal is moving to SF.GOV

See more news

Departments

Office of Small Business

San Francisco's central point of information for small businesses

Treasurer & Tax Collector

The Office of the Treasurer & Tax Collector is the banker, tax collector, collection agent and investment officer for the City.

Office of Economic and Workforce Development

OEWD strives to create a thriving and resilient economy, where barriers to economic and workforce opportunities are removed, and ​prosperity is shared equitably by all.​