San Diego 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...

Businesses engaged in agricultural pest control, pesticide application, or pest management in San Diego County must register with the County Department of Agriculture, Weights and Measures (AWM). Stat...

Businesses in San Diego County that operate equipment or processes capable of emitting air contaminants must obtain an Authority to Construct and/or Permit to Operate from the San Diego County Air Pol...

Businesses in the unincorporated area of San Diego County that operate burglar or other related alarm systems must obtain an Alarm System Permit from the San Diego County Sheriff's Department. The use...

Businesses operating animal facilities, kennels, pet boarding, pet breeding, or animal daycare operations in San Diego County must obtain a kennel license from the San Diego County Department of Anima...

A building permit is required from San Diego County Planning & Development Services (PDS) Building Division for any construction, alteration, conversion (including change of occupancy or use), repair,...

All businesses located in San Diego County with taxable business personal property must file an annual Business Property Statement (Form 571-L) with the San Diego County Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk...

State law and San Diego County Ordinance require that businesses operating commercial weighing and measuring devices register each device and pay an annual fee to the County Department of Agriculture,...

Businesses proposing a use that is conditionally permitted under the San Diego County Zoning Ordinance in unincorporated areas must obtain a Conditional Use Permit (also called Major Use Permit) from ...

Home-based food entrepreneurs in San Diego County who sell certain non-potentially hazardous foods directly to consumers (farmers markets, from home) must register as a Class A Cottage Food Operation ...

Home-based food entrepreneurs in San Diego County who sell certain non-potentially hazardous foods both directly to consumers and indirectly (through stores, restaurants) must obtain a Class B Cottage...

All businesses operating within the City of San Diego must obtain a Business Tax Certificate (the city's equivalent of a business license) within 15 days of opening. Applies to home-based businesses, ...

Adult entertainment establishments and nude entertainment businesses operating in the City of San Diego must obtain a police-regulated permit from the San Diego Police Department. Governed by San Dieg...

Businesses installing new exterior signs, awnings with text or logos, or illuminated signs must obtain a sign permit from the City of San Diego Development Services Department before installation. Gov...

Cannabis retail outlets (dispensaries), production facilities (cultivation, manufacturing, distribution), and cannabis-related businesses must obtain a Conditional Use Permit (Process Three decision b...

Cannabis businesses operating within the City of San Diego must collect and remit a monthly Cannabis Business Tax. Retail cannabis outlets are taxed at 10% of gross receipts (effective May 1, 2025); c...

New commercial construction, tenant improvements, and nonstructural interior alterations to existing commercial or industrial space in the City of San Diego require a Building Permit from the Developm...

Commercial film, television, and still photography productions shooting on City of San Diego public property (streets, parks, beaches) must register a Filming Authorization through the City's Special ...

Businesses handling hazardous materials, operating assembly occupancies, or conducting other regulated activities must obtain an annual operational permit from the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department. Co...

Businesses operating a massage establishment in the City of San Diego must obtain a Massage Establishment Permit through the San Diego Police Department Permits and Licensing Division. Sole practition...

Businesses with a burglar or intrusion alarm system connected to a central monitoring station must obtain an annual alarm permit from the San Diego Police Department. Two false alarms per calendar yea...