Information Resources

The permits and licenses you need depend on the type of business you plan to operate. This list provides a quick reference to the new-business permits required within the City of Ridgecrest. If your business is outside the city limits or if you will be operating outside the city, other permits may be required by the county you are in.

Air Quality Emission Permits

Kern County Air Pollution Control District
2700 M Street
Suite 290
Bakersfield, CA 93301
Phone: 661-862-5250

Alcoholic Beverage License

State of California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control
4800 Stockdale Highway
Number 213
Bakersfield, CA 93309
Phone: 661-395-2731

Building Permit/Commercial Plan Check

City of Ridgecrest Building Department
100 W California Avenue
Ridgecrest, CA 93555
Phone: 760-499-5072

Business License

City of Ridgecrest Finance Department (Upstairs)
100 W California Avenue
Ridgecrest, CA 93555
Phone: 760-499-5026

If your business is outside the City limits, in Kern County, contact the Kern County Sheriff's Office to find out if you need a County license at 661-391-7690. Other licensing requirements also pertain to certain businesses. To find out if your type of business requires either a state license or certification, contact the State Board of Consumer Affairs at 800-952-5210 or 916-445-1254 (TDD: 916-322-1700).

Employee Eligibility Verification Form

You must fill out an I-9 form (verification of an employee's eligibility to work in the United States) within three days of the employee's hire date. If you have access to the World Wide Web, you can download the form from the Department of Justice Immigration and Naturalization Service.

Environmental Determination

City of Ridgecrest Community and Economic Development Department
100 W California Avenue
Ridgecrest, CA 93555
Phone: 760-499-5062

Fictitious Business Name

  • County Clerk of Kern County
    1115 Truxtun Avenue
    Bakersfield, CA 93301-4639
    Phone: 661-868-3588
  • Fictitious Business Filing Division
    1115 Truxtun Avenue
    2nd floor
    Bakersfield CA 93301
    Phone: 800-552-5376

Food-Related Business Plan Check

Hazardous Materials, Including Restaurant Requirements Health Permit

  • Kern County Environmental Health Services Department
    2700 M Street
    Suite 300
    Bakersfield CA 93301
    Phone: 800-862-8700 or 661-862-8700
  • 400 N China Lake Boulevard
    Ridgecrest, CA 93555
    Phone: 760-384-5838 (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday mornings)

Home Occupation Permit

City of Ridgecrest Community and Economic Development Department
100 W California Avenue
Ridgecrest, CA 93555
Phone: 760-499-5062

Incorporation & Trademark Registration

  • Secretary of State's Office
    1500 11th Street
    Sacramento, CA 95814
    Phone: 916-653-6814 (Press 1 for info on corporations; press 3 for info on partnerships, limited-liability corporations, or trade and service marks)
  • Secretary of State's Office, Trademark Unit
    1500 11th Street
    Room 345
    Sacramento, CA 98581
    Phone: 916-653-4984

Sewer Connection

City of Ridgecrest Building Department
100 W California Avenue
Ridgecrest, CA 93555
Phone: 760-499-5071

Sign Permit

City of Ridgecrest Community and Economic Development Department
100 W California Avenue
Ridgecrest, CA 93555
Phone: 760-499-5062

Taxes

Federal Income Tax

Internal Revenue Service
4330 Watt Avenue
Sacramento, CA 95814
Fax: 703-368-9694

  • Forms and Publications: 800-829-3676 or 800-829-4059, TTY/TDD 
  • Tax Questions: 800-829-1040 or 800-829-4059 for TTY/TDD users

State Income Tax

Franchise Tax Board
8745 Folsom Boulevard
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: 800-852-5711

Federal Payroll Taxes

Internal Revenue Service
4330 Watt Avenue
Sacramento, CA 95814
Fax: 703-368-9694

  • Business Tax Questions including new Employer: 800-829-4933
  • General Tax Questions: 800-829-1040 or 800-829-4059 for TTY/TDD users
  • Forms and Publications: 800-829-3676 or 800-829-4059, TTY/TDD

State Payroll Taxes

State of California, EDD Employment Tax Office
1800 30th Street
Suite 390
Bakersfield, CA 93301
Phone: 888-745-3886 or 916-654-7041

Sales Tax

Seller's Permit/Sales and Use Tax Permit
State Board of Equalization
P.O. Box 942879
Sacramento, CA 94279-0001
Phone: 800-400-7115

Toxic & Hazardous Materials Handling

State Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Toxic Substances Control
8800 Cal Center Drive
Sacramento, CA 95826
Phone: 916-255-3545

Underground Storage Tanks

Kern County Environmental Health Department, Hazmat Div.
2700 M Street
Suite 300
Bakersfield, CA 93301
Phone: 800-552-5376 or 661-862-8700

Water

Indian Wells Valley Water District
500 W Ridgecrest Boulevard
Ridgecrest, CA 93555
Phone: 760-375-5086

Weights & Measures

Kern County Weights and Measures Department
1116 E California Avenue
Bakersfield, CA 93307
Phone: 661-868-6300
Fax: 661-324-0668

Worker's Compensation

State Division of Worker's Compensation
Information and Assistance Unit
1800 30th Street
Suite 100
Bakersfield, CA 93301
Phone: 661-395-2723 or 661-395-2514

Zoning Check & Zoning/Land Subdivision Special Permits

City of Ridgecrest Community and Economic Development Department
100 W California Avenue
Ridgecrest, CA 93555
Phone: 760-499-5062