Legal Question in Business Law in California

Re: Licences and fees needed for a new sole proprietor business

Mr. Selik and Mr. Whipple are right in their comments: I�d like to simply add the suggestion that you look at the following website: http://www.calgold.ca.gov/. This web site, operated by the state of California, will help you identify the various public entities with whom you�ll have to deal for licenses, permits, records and the like. Although, in the past, I�ve found responses to be fairly comprehensive, don�t presume that the web sites product is the �exhaustive� list. You might want to contact counsel in your area that specializes in business and corporate matters. He or she will be familiar with local requirements and can fill in any gaps in information from the state web site. Also, such counsel will be helpful in deciding what form of business entity you plan to create.

Best of luck, and don�t hesitate to contact me with further questions.

Now the inevitable caveat: The foregoing information is provided as an accommodation only, and does not constitute a legal opinion based on comprehensive analysis of all facts, relevant documents and legal authority. Provision of the foregoing information may not be construed as creating any attorney-client relationship.

Re: Licences and fees needed for a new sole proprietor business

I will be happy to meet with you in order to explain all requirements and provide you information about operating your business legally. Please call me at 714 363 0220.

Re: Licences and fees needed for a new sole proprietor business

You probably know what licensing is required for your particular profession, locally, you will need a county or city Business License and DBA (if you do business under an assumed name).

Joel Selik

800-894-2889

ENCINITAS, CA

Re: Licences and fees needed for a new sole proprietor business

In California, interior decorators are generally required to have a contractor's license. Some may escape the requirement by carefully limiting the scope of what they hold themselves out to do. I cannot tell you pecisely where the line is drawn between work requiring a license and work that doesn't, but you might start by reading the old California Supreme Court decision in Franklin v. Nat C. Goldstone Agency (1949) 33 Cal.2d 628.

Your next step would be to check the California Contractors State License Board Web site for any helpful explanations it might offer. Then contact the CSLB and ask for advice specific to your proposed scope of activity.

The consequences of doing business without a license when one is needed are dire, and I would not recommend skirting or ignoring the law.