Doing Business Here

As a business owner, you have lots of responsibilities. Here are some important resources to help keep your business on track.

• The City of San Mateo website features valuable information about doing business here, including zoning maps, space for lease, business license information, and local minimum wage requirements.
• The City’s Business Resource Guide covers planning, location, licensing and permitting, and more.
• If you are building or renovating for your business, you’ll need to work with Community Development Department.
• Get the local rules and resources for waste management and recycling.
• If you are operating a food business, be sure to check out the safety requirements, training, permits and other services administered by the San Mateo County Health System.
• See the guidelines for sidewalk dining permits.
• Read about rodent prevention and control for businesses. (See this handout with photos.)
• Report problems to Public Works or Code Enforcement.
• Get a basic overview of California employment law from the California Chamber of Commerce.

Downtown San Mateo is centrally located and offers numerous transportation options for your employees and customers.

• Caltrain’s San Mateo Station is just steps away from any downtown destination.
• Numerous SamTrans bus routes serve the downtown district, from El Camino Real to the Transit Center to Delaware Street.
• Parking is available through downtown, and the City also offers permit parking to accommodate downtown workers.
• Bike commuting is growing in popularity. Find a bike map to plan your route. Or try our Bay Bikes bikeshare program.
• Commute.org offers information and commute planning assistance to both individuals and employers.
• Scoop custom carpool is available for commuters traveling to or from San Mateo.

The San Mateo Small Business Development Center is a treasure trove of no- and low-cost business counseling, training, information and events. Whether your business is well-established or still just a vision, the SBDC has something for you:

• • One-on-one advising
  • Trainings & workshops & online courses
  • Specialty programs

The San Mateo Public Library is home to the only dedicated business library in San Mateo County. The Business Library is specifically designed to support small business owners. Available materials include up-to-date business and reference titles, electronic database subscriptions, and free and low-cost business workshops. Just cross El Camino Real to visit the library at 55 W. 3rd Ave., or call 650-522-7802 for more information.

Watch this video on Identity Theft, Email Compromise, & Ransomware. The presentation was given by Vishal Jangla, a Deputy District Attorney with the San Mateo County District Attorney’s Office, assigned to prosecute Electronic Crimes, in Jan. 2018.