Page 18 - Hanford Chamber Business Toolkit

HOW TO OBTAIN BUSINESS LICENSE

Any new business should begin by contacting the City’s Planning department so that zoning can be accu-
rately checked. This is suggested for both a home based and a rented space.

If the business is run out of the home, and the home is located within the city limits of Hanford, a Home
Occupation Permit is needed. If you are renting space in the city limits you will need a Certi cate of Occu-
pancy. Both are issued by the Planning Department. A permit (if required) will need to be obtained before a
business license can be issued.

HOME OCCUPANCY PERMIT
The Home Occupation Permit is reviewed and approved by a Planner and may contain additional conditions
that the applicant must adhere to. Once the Home Occupation Permit application has been completed and
approved (usually the same day application is received) proceed to the Finance Department, with a copy of
the approved application, to apply for a business license.

Questions about Home Occupation Permits can be directed to the Community Development Department at
559-585-2581.

CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY
Prior to obtaining a city business license for a new business, a new owner of an existing business, a name
change to the business, or a new location for an existing business, a Zoning and Safety Certi cate of Occu-
pancy application is required.

All the necessary documentation needed in order for City sta to evaluate the application must be provided.
This may include an operational statement and or a site plan of the project. A zoning certi cate of occupancy
may be issued subject to conditions of approval. Such conditions of approval may include, without limita-
tion, repair of existing interior improvements and the repair or replacement of existing exterior improve-
ments or construction of exterior improvements such as parking lots, landscaping, fencing, signage and
refuse area.

The Certi cate of Occupancy allows the Fire and Building Departments to inspect the building to ensure that
health and safety standards are met. It also allows the Planning and Public Works Departments to inspect
existing on and o site improvements to ensure that they are in good repair, functional and in conformance
with the Hanford Municipal Code.

The total processing time for the Zoning and Safety Certi cate of Occupancy application is approximately
5-10 working days from the date of submittal. It is the applicant’s responsibility to contact the Building and
Fire Departments for scheduling of inspections. Noti cation is sent when the Zoning and Safety Certi cate of
Occupancy application has been completed and signed o by each department.

A copy of the approved application will be provided to the applicant. The copy of the approved application is
needed when applying for a business license.