El Cerrito compliance requirements

Businesses that pay $600 or more to a non-employee (independent contractor, freelancer, etc.) during the year must file Form 1099-NEC with the IRS and provide a copy to the recipient by January 31. Th...

Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires businesses that are places of public accommodation (restaurants, retail stores, hotels, theaters, medical offices, professional offices,...

Businesses that manufacture, import, deal in, or use explosive materials must obtain a federal explosives license or permit from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Licenses...

All Federal Firearms Licensees (FFLs) must complete and retain ATF Form 4473 (Firearms Transaction Record) for every firearm transaction conducted through the licensee. Per the Bipartisan Safer Commun...

Businesses exporting goods, software, or technology from the United States must comply with the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) administered by the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS). Expor...

The Corporate Transparency Act requires certain companies to report their beneficial ownership information (BOI) to FinCEN. As of March 2025, FinCEN issued a rule exempting all domestic companies from...

Under the Corporate Transparency Act, reporting companies must file an updated Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) report with FinCEN within 30 calendar days of any change to previously reported in...

The CAN-SPAM Act (Controlling the Assault of Non-Solicited Pornography and Marketing Act) applies to all businesses that send commercial email messages — any electronic mail message whose primary purp...

Businesses importing goods into the United States with a value exceeding $2,500 must file an entry with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Formal entries require a customs bond and use of a lic...

The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) requires employers with 20 or more employees who sponsor group health plans to offer continuation coverage to employees and their dependents ...

Under the Air Toxics Hot Spots Information and Assessment Act (AB 2588), facilities emitting 10 or more tons per year of criteria air pollutants must submit an emissions inventory report to their loca...

Catering businesses serving alcohol at client locations must obtain a Type 58 Caterer's Permit from the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control. Requires a commissary (licensed premises) and allows s...

California ABC Type 04 Distilled Spirits Manufacturer license authorizes the distillation and rectification of spirits, and the sale of distilled spirits to wholesalers and on the licensed premises. D...

California ABC Type 20 Off-Sale Beer and Wine license authorizes a retail establishment (grocery store, convenience store, drug store) to sell beer and wine in sealed containers for off-premises consu...

California ABC Type 21 Off-Sale General license authorizes a retail store (package store, liquor store) to sell beer, wine, and distilled spirits in sealed containers for off-premises consumption. Req...

California ABC Type 41 On-Sale Beer and Wine license authorizes a bona fide eating place (restaurant) to sell beer and wine (no distilled spirits) for on-premises consumption. Lower cost alternative t...

Annual renewal of the California ABC Type 47 On-Sale General license for restaurants. Renewal must be completed before the license anniversary date to avoid late penalties. Renewal fee varies by count...

California ABC Type 47 On-Sale General license authorizes a bona fide eating place (restaurant) to sell beer, wine, and distilled spirits for consumption on the premises. Required before selling any a...

Bars and taverns where alcohol is the primary revenue source (50%+ of revenue from alcohol sales, not food) must obtain a Type 48 Public Premises license from ABC. Different from Type 47 (restaurant) ...

California ABC Type 23 Small Beer Manufacturer license authorizes the manufacture of beer (under 60,000 barrels per year) and sale to wholesalers, retailers, and on the licensed premises. Breweries an...

Under the California Safe Body Art Act, all body art practitioners (tattoo artists, piercers, and permanent cosmetic practitioners) operating in Contra Costa County must obtain a practitioner permit f...

All businesses in Contra Costa County that own or lease taxable personal property (furniture, fixtures, equipment, machinery, computers, supplies, leasehold improvements, etc.) must file an annual Bus...

Any new commercial construction, tenant improvement, or alteration project in unincorporated Contra Costa County requires a building permit from the Department of Conservation and Development, Buildin...

Certain business uses in unincorporated Contra Costa County require a Conditional Use Permit (also referred to as a Land Use Permit) from the Department of Conservation and Development. This applies t...

Any person or entity that conducts business in or is based from the unincorporated area of Contra Costa County must obtain a business license from the Treasurer-Tax Collector's Office. The annual cost...

A cottage food operation (CFO) in Contra Costa County allows limited preparation and sale of certain non-potentially hazardous foods (cookies, candies, jams, muffins, cakes, pies, etc.) from a home ki...

Any person or entity conducting business under a fictitious name (a name other than their legal name) in Contra Costa County must file a Fictitious Business Name Statement with the Contra Costa County...

The Contra Costa County Fire Protection District (CCCFPD) requires operational permits for businesses involving hazardous materials, assemblies, and other fire-regulated activities. Approximately 8,00...

The Contra Costa County Flood Control and Water Conservation District requires a Flood Control Encroachment Permit for all activities and encroachments within District rights-of-way, including flood c...

A grading permit is required in unincorporated Contra Costa County for excavating greater than 5 feet deep or more than 200 cubic yards, or placing fill to support any structure, fill deeper than 3 fe...

All businesses operating within El Cerrito city limits, including rental property operations, must obtain a business license and pay the business license tax. The tax is administered by the Community ...

Building permits are required for any new commercial construction and for any alterations, repairs, expansions, improvements, or conversions of existing commercial buildings or structures within El Ce...

Commercial cannabis businesses operating within El Cerrito must obtain a Commercial Cannabis Operating Permit under El Cerrito Municipal Code Chapter 6.80. The City regulates cannabis businesses inclu...

Projects that alter the exterior appearance of a building or site within El Cerrito may require Design Review approval under El Cerrito Municipal Code Chapter 19.38. The Design Review Board considers ...

Whenever a contractor, public utility, or property owner engages in work within the public right-of-way or City property in El Cerrito, a City-issued encroachment permit is required. This includes any...

The El Cerrito-Kensington Fire Department requires fire permits for certain commercial activities and installations. Fire sprinkler and alarm system permits must be applied for concurrently with build...

Persons or businesses offering fortunetelling services within El Cerrito must obtain a permit under ECMC Chapter 6.65. This applies to astrologers, clairvoyants, palm readers, psychics, and similar pr...

Any person wishing to operate a business from their residence within El Cerrito must obtain a Home Occupation Permit from the Community Development Department in addition to a business license. Under ...

Massage businesses operating within El Cerrito must obtain a Massage Operator's Permit under El Cerrito Municipal Code Chapter 8.10. It is unlawful for any massage business to provide massage for comp...

El Cerrito has a local minimum wage that exceeds the California state minimum wage, established under ECMC Chapter 6.95 (City Minimum Wage Standards). As of January 1, 2026, the El Cerrito minimum wag...