Connected By Business
Murrieta is a thriving and growing city with a robust sense of community We invite you to come grow with us Our goal is to help your Murrieta business get off to a strong start. And we will continue that connection and support as your business grows and thrives This e-book will provide valuable information and links to local and regional resources. As business liaisons for the City of Murrieta, we are also here to talk with you, answer questions and help guide you through the start-up process
Pro-Business City Council
Mayor Cindy Warren, District 5
Mayor Pro Tem Jon Levell, District 1
Council Members:
Ron Holliday, District 2
Lisa Deforest, District 3
Lori Stone, District 4
Numbers to know
Murrieta - Economic Development Dept. (951) 461-6490
Murrieta - Planning Dept. (951) 461-6061
Murrieta - Building and Safety Dept. (951) 461-6062
Murrieta - Business Licenses (951) 461-6042
Riverside County Clerk (951) 486-7000
Secretary of State’s Office (916) 657-5448
State Board of Equalization (800) 400-7115
Riverside County Environmental Health (888) 722-4234
Alcoholic Beverage Control Board (951) 782-4400
State Employment Development Dept. (888)745-3886
Internal Revenue Service (800) 829-1040
The First Steps
Pre-Planning Checklist
Visit or call the City of Murrieta Planning Department Identify the zone(s) where your business can operate. View the zoning map on page 10 of this guide, or online here
Discuss the applicable development standards (parking, signs, operationals)
Find Your Location
Visit the Murrieta Site Selector Website to review market research, demographics, data and info relevant to locating your business in Murrieta Before you sign a lease or purchase a property, always talk with City staff to ensure your business is compatible with the zoning.
If you plan to make tenant improvements, renovations, or install equipment, contact the Building and Safety Department to determine if you need to submit plans or get building permits
Register Your Business &/or Complete the Legal Structure
If using a Fictitious Business Name or DBA (doing business as), you will need to register with the Riverside County Clerk's Office
If you are considering becoming a corporation (stock or nonprofit), a limited liability company, or a partnership (limited or limited liability); you must file with the Secretary of State's Office
Apply for Required Permits and Licenses
For a complete list of permits required for your business, go to the State of California's Office of Small Business Advocate Website
If your business is selling or leasing tangible property, you will need a Sellers Permit from the State Board of Equalization
If your business intends to prepare and/or sell food of any type, you will need a Health Permit from the Riverside County Department of Environmental Health
If your business will sell or serve alcoholic beverages, you will need a license from the California Alcoholic Beverage Control Board. You may also need a Conditional Use Permit from the City Planning Commission
Growing your workforce? Visit the State Employment Development Department
Get state and federal employee IDs at the Internal Revenue Service website
Apply for a City of Murrieta Business License
Complete a Business License application online. Learn more with our FAQ guide here
Contact the Franchise Tax Board
This is only required if you will have employees or if you need to obtain a Form 540 for estimating State Withholding Tax
Contact Your Insurance Agent
For information regarding what type of insurance your business will require, including workers' compensation and liability insurance
Obtain Additional Info or Assistance
Connect with the Business Community through the Murrieta/Wildomar Chamber of Commerce. Find out about the various business programs and local resources that are available within the City on the Business Development & Assistance page.
Set Up for Success!
Write Your Business Plan.
To increase your chance of success, take the time up front and before anything else, to explore and evaluate your business and personal goals Then, use this reflection to build a comprehensive and well-thought-out business plan. Your business plan is just as valuable a tool to you as it is to your potential investors.
While there are no set rules for creating a business plan, following consistent guidelines can greatly improve your chances of success. A great resource is the SBA Build Your Business Plan Guide Pick a business plan that works for you and meets your needs
Your business plan functions in a number of uses Committing yourself to writing a business plan is a methodical way to mentally construct your business. Accomplishing the technical aspects of business planning will allow you to better utilize your time and resources with the ultimate goal of establishing a thriving business Additionally, a detailed business plan will often be your best resource in obtaining funding, as investors will want to understand how they will earn back their investment
Your local Small Business Development Center (SBDC) offers free or low-cost business training and business mentoring Ready to Start? Visit the Orange County/Inland Empire SBDC website and schedule your One-on-One Consultation
Watch this helpful video from the U.S. Small Business Administration on the Essence of a Business Plan, and Why You Need One
Legal Business Structure
There are several forms of legal entities of businesses, each with their own advantages and disadvantages
Learn more about the various business structures on the Internal Revenue Service(IRS) website. The Small Business Association offers a helpful comparative chart on their website New businesses that are not a sole proprietorship must file formation documents with the Secretary of State, the required forms can be found on their website Contracts between owners of a partnership should be drawn up before beginning business
You can learn about the tax implications of business structure here. Thoroughly research the structures and settle on the one that best fits your needs and goals No classification is any better than another, they are only different
Fictitious Business Name Statement
A licensed business name is necessary if the company name differs from your own, a filing of a fictitious business name statement is also required before you can open a business checking account in the title of the business This statement is filed with the County Your local county website should have a section specifically designed for the filing of fictitious name statements Counties will vary, but most require a small fee
Zoning Requirements
Determine zoning regulations and requirements prior to signing any lease or contract
The intended location of your business must have the proper zoning for your planned use of the site
The City of Murrieta has a variety of maps and exhibits available with geographic information system (GIS) Interactive Mapping; through this resource you can verify if an address is within City limits
If you will be operating out of your home you must follow any requirements for home occupants in your city.
By Claudia Alves Photographer
Business Licenses
In order to operate your business, you must comply with a range of city, state, and federal rules and regulations The Small Business Association offers a search tool for discovering which licenses are necessary for your business based on your industry and location. A Murrieta Business license is required before business begins and can be applied for online If you intend to run your business out of your home, it is necessary to obtain a Home Occupation Permit Check with your HOA, some prohibit the running of businesses out of the home.
Special Licenses and Permits
The licenses and permits necessary to run your business legally are determined by the type of business you wish to establish The CalGOLD business permit database provides detailed information on business permits, licenses, and registration requirements from all levels of government
The State Department of Consumer Affairs lists 200+ regulated occupations and services and offers valuable licensing information
orkforce sources
Riverside County Workforce Development Centers (WDC)
County Workforce Development
ave many services and programs
o businesses, all of which are free to
Recruitment Services - WDC’s workforce team works with businesses to assist in finding skilled, qualified candidates This includes pre-screening, candidate assessment and testing as well as posting job openings
Business Resources and Referrals - The Workforce Development team offers a wide variety of resources and referrals to assist your business.
Training Incentive Programs - The Workforce Development Center also offers assistance in offsetting the costs of training new employees or retaining your existing employees
On The Job (OTJ) Training - For businesses willing to hire and train new employees,
Workforce Development Centers will reimburse a portion of wages to offset extraordinary costs of training and loss of productivity during training
Outplacement Services - Resources and referrals are provided for businesses and workers affected by a layoff or closure
Labor Market Services - Use the Workforce Development Centers as an asset to access information about labor market trends, statistics and economic and demographic data.
Human Resource Information and Resources - Find information on HR-related topics, such as news, trends, employee policies and problem resolution
Government Resources - Find information on federal programs such as OSHA, Social Security, IRS, wage reporting, labor statistics and commerce.
Tax Incentives - With the assistance of the Workforce Development Specialists, find out if you qualify for local, state, or federal tax incentives, like the Welfare-to-Work and Work Opportunity Tax Credits
For more information, visit: www.rivcoworkforce.org/employer-services
Taxes & More
Federal Business Tax
For federal tax information make sure to download a copy of the Tax Guide for Small Businesses, an invaluable resource to help understand how to properly file federal taxes
Your Federal Tax ID number, otherwise known as the Employer Identification Number (EIN), is comparable to a Social Security number for your business One can be obtained by filling out Form SS-4 or you can visit the IRS website for information on how to get an Employer ID Number online.
State Business Tax & Insurance
Get a wide range of California State Tax information on their website
The Employment Development Department (EDD) is a department within the California State Government that promotes California businesses as well as aids employees and employers They release yearly editions of their handbook, California Employer's Guide, which covers broad topics concerning how to succeed in business.
It is a legal obligation to invest in Workers’ Comp Insurance prior to the hiring of any employees This can be done with your insurance agent or broker, but California also has established the State Compensation Insurance Fund, the largest supplier of Workers’ Comp Insurance in the state and grants many opportunities to low-income startups.
An important distinction when hiring employees, especially for tax purposes, is classifying their employment status appropriately The IRS has a helpful publication for understanding the different classifications and rights of certain employees.
Along with many other resources, the SBA offers this simple, easy to use step-by-step Guide to Hiring and Maintaining Employees
Businesses are one of the major investments a person can make Unfortunately, it's not uncommon for businesses to be robbed, vandalized, or otherwise destroyed. It's incredibly important for all business owners to invest in liability and property insurance
Many insurance companies offer Business Insurance and most will work with you to create a policy that best fits your needs Contact your insurance agent or shop around before settling on a policy
Financing Tips
It takes money to make money. All businesses need capital to start and expand.
Funding your business is one of the first and most important financial choices most business owners make
How you choose to fund your business could affect how you structure and run your business
Every business is different, so it‘s always a good idea to calculate your startup costs ahead of time to more effectively plan for your financial needs and goals The SBA has a startup cost calculator that can help you determine this.
The first step in obtaining funding is to write a business plan It is highly unlikely that an organization will invest in a company without first reading its business plan
Additionally, your business plan will be an invaluable tool in helping you to decide the appropriate amount of capital to borrow
Establishing and managing business credit can help your company secure financing when you need it and with better terms It can also help you negotiate supply agreements and protect against business identity theft. Learn more here.
Business Loans
Aside from personal capital or help from family and friends, the next most frequent source of funding is some kind of business loan If you are considering a business loan, it is a good practice to contact multiple lenders early on
The U S SBA guarantees small business loans through local lenders. These loans are particularly helpful for minorities, persons with low-income, and persons with questionable credit
Begin your search for the appropriate lender at your bank or credit union If they don't offer commercial business loans, chances are they can recommend lenders within the community who can help
Other Considerations
There are also Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) that may be able to help with smaller loan amounts, startups seeking first-round of growth capital, or those facing financial barriers First Community Capital is our local Certified CDFI in Riverside County There are Alternative Lending opportunities outlined in this Business com article that may provide helpful information as well As always it’s crucial that you research these methods to determine if they are right for you
The SBA website offers more information on other funding options like crowd-funding, venture capital funding You can read more about these here
Accounting Tips
All expenses and income must be well-tracked One of the most common factors in the failure of new businesses is the mismanagement of funds. By establishing bookkeeping procedures and dealing with all expenditures and revenues similarly, income reporting and cash management will be easier and more realistic There are a number of easy-to-use accounting programs, the most popular being QuickBooks software There are advantages and disadvantages to all accounting software so it's important to compare/contrast various programs before settling on a program. For most small businesses, a simple, inexpensive program will suffice for needs View a list of these free small business accounting programs
Many small business owners outsource their preparation of financial statements to private accounting firms. Even if you decide to not have an accountant, it's a good idea to have an accountant prepare your year-end tax accounting Many firms will offer this service for relatively cheap and this will prevent inconsistencies on your tax forms, which could otherwise lead to tax audits.
OTHER RESOURCES & LINKS
Murrieta/Wildomar Chamber of Commerce
The Murrieta/Wildomar Chamber of Commerce is a trusted partner in business success. They serve as the Catalyst for Growth, the Convener of Leaders and Influencers, and the Champion for a Thriving Community in Southwest Riverside County As the region’s premier business organization, they are dedicated to driving economic development, advocating for pro-business policies, and fostering connections that matter Representing over 25,000 jobs in our community, they are committed to creating opportunities that empower businesses to flourish. Learn more about the Chamber here.
Resources for Veterans
There are many state programs and incentives available to veterans, through CalVet, including priority counseling, more access to funding, and priority in procuring government contracts
The SBA also offers Veteran contracting assistance programs, like VetCert and more
There are organizations in our community like MilVet that is dedicated to connecting the community to comprehensive resources through organizational outreach and providing philanthropic programs to enrich the lives of deployed troops, veterans, and their families
Resources for Women
The Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) is a nationwide non-profit organization dedicated to advocating women-owned businesses Their main focus is developing relationships between major corporations and women-owned small business
The National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) is a community of professional women entrepreneurs that promote economic development within the entrepreneurial community
Links found throughout the guide
City of Murrieta Economic Development
www MurrietaCA Gov/Business
Murrieta/Wildomar Chamber of Commerce
www mwcoc org
Small Business Administration
www SBA org
Internal Revenue Service
www IRS gov
California Employment Development Department
www edd ca gov
California Tax Service Center
www.taxes.ca.gov
California Department of Consumer Affairs
www.dca.ca.gov
California Secretary of State
www sos ca gov
Cal Gold Database
www calgold ca gov
California Department of Veterans Affairs
www calvet ca gov
National Association of Women Business Owners
www nawbo org
Women’s Business Enterprise National Council
www wbenc org
Riverside County Clerk
www.asrclkrec.com
Workforce Development Center
www.rivcoworkforce.org/employer-services
Please note, this guide is provided as a public service and is not all-inclusive or specific to any business It’s always imperative you do your research when it comes to making decisions for your business If you would like further assistance, please contact the City of Murrieta’s Economic Development Department at 951-461-6490