Before you sign a lease or purchase equipment, check the list below to see what permits and inspections might be required to operate your business in Petaluma, or try our permit tool Open Counter to identify and estimate your permit costs.
Note: Most City offices, including the Encroachment Permit, Building and Planning counters, are closed on Fridays and holidays. Our online permit tool is accessible 24/7.
OPEN COUNTER: PETALUMA
Try our new, online permit tool to help you identify and estimate permit costs associated with your business. The tool will ask the questions, you provide the answers. You will get a summary of applicable permits and costs to help you plan.
COST & TIMING:
The Permit Tool is free and accessible 24/7. It will take you about 15 minutes.
FORMS:
No forms are needed!! Just answer the questions and get your answers.
Development Impact Fees
The City charges impact/connection fees to pay for additional infrastructure and services needed as a result of a development. If you are building a new building, changing the use of a building, adding square footage to an existing building, or are manufacturing food/beverages, you will owe development impact and/or connection (capacity) fees.
Contact the Planning Division for more information. Food/beverage businesses (such as restaurants, manufacturing facilities, and commercial kitchens) should contact the Environmental Services Division for info about sewer and water impact fees.
Business License
City of Petaluma Finance Department – 707-778-4354 / email
Required pf ALL businesses located or doing business within the City limits. The business license must be renewed annually. Confirm zoning with the Planning Division before you submit the application, change/add locations within the City limits, or add new types of business activities.
COST & TIMING:
First year applicants pay a flat fee; renewing applicants pay a percentage of the previous year’s earnings, based on their type of business. Review the Fees page. The application will be reviewed by multiple City Divisions and may involve a site inspection by the Building and/or Fire Prevention Divisions. The review process takes two to six weeks. cost and timing for this permit depends on the complexity of the project.
FORMS:
Business License Inspection
707-781-1201 / email
Required as part of the business license process for new businesses or existing businesses that have moved or added locations. The City’s Fire Prevention and Building Divisions will inspect your business to ensure that your business meets minimum requirements for safety and emergency access. This may take place as part of a standalone inspection or it may be part of another inspection, such as for a building permit.
COST & TIMING:
There is no fee for this inspection. Before you open for business, request an inspection by phone or email. A City staff member will contact you to arrange a date and time for the inspection. Your Business License will be issued once you pass the inspection.
Site Plan & Architectural Review (SPAR)
City of Petaluma Planning Department – 707-778-4470 / email
Required when a building exterior is modified or when new buildings or site modifications are proposed.
There are two levels of SPARs depending on the size and complexity of the project. Small Projects (Minor SPAR) can be reviewed and approved by staff. Large projects (Major SPAR) must be reviewed and approved by the Planning Commission, which makes larger projects longer and more costly to process.
COST & TIMING:
The cost and timing for this permit depends on the complexity of the project. Review the Fees page for baseline fee structure, then consult the Planning Division for an estimate based on your project.
FORMS:
Site Plan & Architectural Review (SPAR) Application form
Home Occupation Permit
City of Petaluma Planning Department – 707-778-4470 / email
Required when conducting business from home. Allows City to assure neighborhoods are protected from impacts associated with commercial activities.
COST & TIMING:
This permit typically issued over the counter. Consult the Fees page for the current permit fee.
FORMS:
Home Occupation Permit Application form
Conditional Use Permit (CUPs or Use Permits)
City of Petaluma Planning Department – 707-778-4470 / email
This applies to anyone interested in using a building or land for activities designated as “Conditional” under Petaluma’s zoning guidelines, including mobile vendors.
There are different levels of CUPs depending on the size and complexity of your project. Administrative Use Permits are handled by staff. Some Minor and all Major permits are reviewed by the Planning Commission and are often more costly and take longer to process.
COST & TIMING:
Administrative Use Permits require staff review and noticing with a minimum of 6-8 weeks for projects deemed to be minor in nature.
Administrative, Minor and Major Use Permits require an initial deposit and are charged based on the time and materials needed to process the review.
View the Fees page for a baseline or estimate permit costs using the online permit tool. Then consult the Planning Division to verify deposit fees and project estimate.
FORMS:
Conditional Use Permit Application form
Sign Permit
City of Petaluma Building Department – 707-778-4301 / email
Required when placing most signs on or beside a business. Illuminated, wall and monument signs require a permit. Permits are also required when refacing signs. Special sign requirements apply to buildings in the Historic Commercial District, A Street Historic District, and Oakhill-Brewster District.
COST & TIMING:
Fees range from 4% – 6% of the sign’s valuation. The review process involves both Planning and Building. Processing time ranges from one day to several months depending on the sign’s complexity and location in the City.
FORMS:
Building Permits
City of Petaluma Building Department, 707-778-4301 / email
Required for all construction to ensure compliance with building codes and safety for you, your customers and employees. Building permits are necessary for almost all installations, plumbing and electrical work.
COST & TIMING:
Building permit applications are reviewed in 15 working days and cost 4-6% of the total permit valuation. Additional review time will be necessary if changes or corrections to the building plans are needed.
FORMS:
Visit the Community Development page to download building permit application forms and informational handouts.
Fire Inspections & Permits
City of Petaluma Fire Prevention, Fire Marshal – 707.778.4389 / email
Required for all construction to ensure compliance with local, state and federal fire codes. Special fire permits and protection systems are required when changing building occupancy; installing storage systems over 12′ high or encompassing 500 square feet; installing certain types of equipment; and other reasons. Permits and inspections related to Tents, Hazardous Materials, Hoods and Ducts, Underground Storage Tanks and Large Family Day Care require special review. Some permits require an annual inspection.
COST & TIMING:
Plan reviews for projects involving Fire Prevention review take three to four weeks. Fire Inspections and permits range in cost depending on the complexity of the project. Contact the Fire Prevention Division for an assessment of the permits you will need and an estimate of costs.
FORMS:
Visit the Fire Prevention page to download more information and permit application forms.
Wastewater Discharge Permits
City of Petaluma Environmental Services Division – Robert Wilson, 707-776-3654 / email
Required for businesses discharging used water or other liquids into the sewer system. Food/beverage-related businesses (including restaurants) typically need to install special equipment, apply for a permit, or both.
COST & TIMING:
This permit is calculated with a formula that involves the amount and quality of the water to be discharged. Fees for companies producing food products or using chemicals can be significant. Contact Robert Wilson, City of Petaluma Environmental Services Supervisor, 707-776-3654 / email for an estimate.
Water Conservation
City of Petaluma Environmental Services Division – Robert Wilson, 707-776-3654 / email
Contact the Environmental Services Division before planning to expand or open a water-intensive business. Restaurants and laundromats with efficient appliances may qualify for a discount
Water Operations
707-778-4546
Contact Public Works & Utilities if you need to a new water meter or upsize an existing meter.
Encroachment Permits
City of Petaluma Public Works & Utilities Department – 707-778-4303 / email
Required for residential and business activities that encroach on the public right of way, e.g, outdoor sidewalk dining, sidewalk sales, dumpsters, awnings that project into public sidewalk areas, street furniture, tree trimming or removal and bike racks. Encroachment Permits are also required when construction or repair projects encroach on public right of way, within public easements, on private property, or for private utility connections to City utilities.
COST & TIMING:
The fee for an Encroachment Permit depends on the scope of your project. Contact the encroachment permit administrator for more information.
Encroachment permit applications take about four business days to review and approve. Permits can be issued in person over the counter or by email.
FORMS:
Special Event Permits
City of Petaluma Police Department – 707-778-4372
Required for special events including parades, athletic events and block parties that take place on a city street, sidewalk or city-owned land.
COST & TIMING:
The review time and fees depend on the size and complexity of the event. Applications must be submitted 30 days prior to an event. Contact the Police Department as early as possible in the event planning process to verify costs and requirements.
FORMS:
Special Event Permit Application FAQs and form
Zoning/Temporary Use Permit
City of Petaluma Planning Division – 707-778-4470 / email
Required to conduct temporary activities (e.g., Christmas tree lot) that do not comply with a property’s zoning rules.
COST & TIMING:
See Fees page for applicable fees. Zoning/Temporary Use Permits require special staff review. Applications must be submitted 30 days prior to event.
FORMS:
Zoning/Temporary Use Permit Application FAQs and form
Taxi Permit
City of Petaluma Police Department – 707-778-4372
Required to operate a taxi within the City limits. Applicants must complete an application, get fingerprinted, and be drug tested by an outside party. Taxi permits are valid for one year and must be renewed annually.
COST & TIMING:
See Fees page for applicable fees. This permit takes about two weeks to process.
FORMS:
Taxi Permit FAQs and Form.
Solicitor/Peddler Permit
City of Petaluma Planning Division – 707-778-4372
Required for people who move from location to location in the City, selling their goods or services. A background check and proof of other applicable permits/licenses are required.
COST & TIMING:
See Fees page for applicable fees. This permit takes two weeks to process and is valid for 120 days.
FORMS:
Solicitor/Peddler Permit FAQs and form
Massage Registration
City of Petaluma Police Department – 707-778-4372
Massage professionals must register with the Police Department annually and show proof of California Massage Therapy Council certification. Establishments that offer massage services must register with the Police Department annually and may be subject to a fee-based background check or other requirements.
COST & TIMING:
See Fees page for applicable fees. The permit takes about two weeks to process.
FORMS:
Commercial Cannabis Permit
City of Petaluma Police Department – 707-778-4372
Required for businesses that incorporate any of the three types of commercial cannabis activities in the City: testing services; product manufacturing (topicals or edibles); or delivery-only retail. This permit must be renewed annually.
COST & TIMING:
Non-refundable fees are required to apply for the permit and the annual renewal. This permit takes a minimum of 60 days for review.
FORMS:
Commercial Cannabis Permit Application