Sonoma 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...

Any business constructing, altering, or remodeling a commercial building or structure in unincorporated Sonoma County must obtain a building permit from Permit Sonoma. The Building Division reviews, p...

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

Any business engaged in commercial cannabis activity (cultivation, manufacturing, distribution, testing, or dispensing) in unincorporated Sonoma County must obtain a Use Permit from Permit Sonoma. Can...

Cannabis cultivators in Sonoma County must register with and submit to annual inspections by the Sonoma County Department of Agriculture/Weights & Measures. The department conducts permits and inspect...

A construction grading permit is required in Sonoma County prior to commencing any construction grading or related work in unincorporated areas, including preparatory land clearing, vegetation removal...

Any business that needs to place or construct a structure, object, or improvement in, under, or over any Sonoma County public right-of-way must obtain an encroachment permit from Permit Sonoma. An enc...

Any business operating in Sonoma County under a name other than the owner's legal name must file a Fictitious Business Name Statement with the Sonoma County Clerk-Recorder. This includes sole propriet...

Any business operating a retail food facility in Sonoma County (in the unincorporated area or cities contracting with the county for environmental health services) must obtain an annual health permit ...

Businesses in Sonoma County that handle, store, or use hazardous materials above threshold quantities must submit an annual Hazardous Materials Business Plan (HMBP) to Permit Sonoma's Hazardous Materi...

Businesses in Sonoma County that generate hazardous waste are required to register as hazardous waste generators with Permit Sonoma's Hazardous Materials Unit and submit a Hazardous Materials Business...

Any commercial tenant improvement, new construction, or significant remodel within the City of Sonoma requires a building permit from the City of Sonoma Building Department. This includes structural c...

All businesses operating within Sonoma city limits must obtain an annual Business Tax Certificate (business license) before commencing operations. This applies to all entity types, including out-of-ci...

Cannabis businesses operating within the City of Sonoma that hold a Commercial Cannabis Business Permit must register with the City and file quarterly cannabis business tax returns under Sonoma Munici...

Any cannabis business operating within the City of Sonoma must obtain a Commercial Cannabis Business Permit (CCBP) under Sonoma Municipal Code Chapter 5.36 (Ordinance 03-2019). The city allows a maxim...

Any project requiring a building permit that involves new construction or exterior alterations to an existing structure in the City of Sonoma must receive design review approval before a building perm...

Businesses in the City of Sonoma that wish to place seating, displays, or structures in the public right-of-way — including sidewalk dining areas, parklets using on-street parking spaces, bicycle rack...

Any commercial filming or photo shoot taking place within City of Sonoma limits requires a Film Permit from the City prior to the activity. The process takes approximately 15 business days. Requiremen...

Chain stores, franchises, and other "formula businesses" seeking to operate in the City of Sonoma's Historic District require a Use Permit under Sonoma Municipal Code Section 19.50.035. A formula busi...

Businesses operated from a residential dwelling within the City of Sonoma require a Home Occupation Administrative Permit under SMC 19.50.040. The business must be incidental to the residential use, c...

Any business operating as a music venue within the City of Sonoma must obtain an annual Music Venue License under Sonoma Municipal Code Chapter 5.34. A music venue is defined as an establishment whose...