San Francisco has a vibrant and successful business community, made of thriving companies both large and small. The City of San Francisco offers a range of resources to businesses including incentives, training, programs and access to capital. Find out more about how you start, grow, move and hire in San Francisco. Also included below is information on how you can do business with the City of San Francisco, starting with the Bids and Contracts Database.
Start in SF
Mayor Gavin Newsom has often referred to San Francisco as a city of doers and dreamers, and a city of innovators and entrepreneurs. Indeed, the entrepreneurial spirit runs deep in the city. And whether it’s our world class workforce, longstanding international reach and reputation, or a citizenry of early adopters and trend setters that’s always on the cutting edge, businesses who choose to locate in San Francisco enjoy a critical business edge. For these reasons, the City of San Francisco actively welcomes and encourages all budding entrepreneurs to take a serious look at San Francisco as an ideal headquarter city.
The first steps to starting a business are deciding upon a business structure, developing a business plan, finding the right location (you can start by using the City's GIS, or Geographic Information Systems, applications), business registration as well as deciding upon (and protecting!) your business’ name. Learn about the City’s tax structure and tax calendar, labor standards, permits and licenses and filing requirements and find all of the required forms for businesses in one easy place. And, don't forget, the City of San Francisco’s Small Business Assistance Center is here to help you, every step of the way.
Grow in SF
You’ve started your business in San Francisco (great choice!), and now you are looking to take it to the next level. Or maybe you’ve been a business owner for the last 20 years, and you want to make sure that you’re taking advantage of all of the incentives, programs and services offered by the City. In any scenario, City staff are at the ready to provide personalized assistance for your business by industry. Read on to find out more about financing your business, any available City loans , the array of tax incentives available and the available assistance and incentives for greening your business.
Move to SF
Come find out what so many businesses already know—a location in San Francisco offers businesses a considerable advantage. Whether it’s San Francisco’s talented workforce, international reach, strong neighborhoods or entrepreneurial spirit that convinced you, we’re so glad to welcome you to San Francisco.
Hire in SF
One of San Francisco’s most valuable assets and attractive qualities is its residents. Using the newly launched HireSF, begin to explore the immense pool of highly qualified job seekers San Francisco has to offer.
Do Business with SF
San Francisco is a large city with many contracting needs. You can learn more about the requirements for becoming a registered vendor with the City of San Francisco as well as the available contracts and bids database. You can also do business with the San Francisco Redevelopment Agency . If you’d like to find out about filming in San Francisco, you can learn about getting a permit.
Board of Appeals
Building Inspection, Department
Contract Administration, Office
County Clerk, Office
Office of Economic and Workforce Development
Department of the Environment
Office of Public Finance
Redevelopment Agency
Office of Small Business and Small Business Commission (SBC)
Office of the Treasurer-Tax Collector
Related Links (external)
