NEW SB 205 Business License Requirement

On October 2, 2019 the Governor signed Senate Bill (SB) 205 Stormwater Discharge Compliance into law governing municipalities that require a business license to operate within their jurisdiction. Effective on January 1, 2020 all business license applications (new or renewal) must demonstrate compliance (or enrollment) with the General Permit for Stormwater Discharges Associated with Industrial Activities. The purpose of SB 205 is to protect water quality including the health and safety of drinking water sources statewide.

Not all businesses are affected by SB 205.  Below are types of businesses with SIC codes that fall under SB 205 (this information is included in Attachment A of the Industrial General Permit):

1. Feedlots of a specific size (SIC codes 0211-0272);
2. Manufacturing facilities (SIC codes 20XX-39XX and 4221-4225);
3. Oil and gas/mining facilities (SIC codes 10XX-14XX);
4. Hazardous waste treatment, storage or disposal facilities (often SIC code 4953);
5. Landfills, land application sites and open dumps (SIC code 4953);
6. Recycling facilities (SIC codes 5015 and 5093);
7. Steam electric power generating facilities (specific activities under SIC code 4911);
8. Transportation facilities (SIC codes 40XX through 45XX, except 4221-215, and 5171); and
9. Sewage or wastewater treatment works (SIC code 4952).

If your business has one of the identified SIC codes above, you will be required to provide the information below:

1. Name and location of facilities operated by the business
2. All primary Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) codes for the business
3. Any of the following for each facility operated by the business:

• The Waste Discharger Identification (WDID) number, issued for the facility by the State Water Board
• The WDID application number issued for the facility by the State Water Board
• The Notice of Non-Applicability (NONA) identification number issued for the facility by the State Water Board
• The No Exposure Certification (NEC) identification number issued for the facility by the State Water Board

Click the link below for additional resources:

Frequently Asked Questions for Industrial Businesses
Regulated SIC Codes in alphabetical order
Regulated SIC Codes in numerical order
City of Santa Clara Business License

All businesses are required to have a valid business license from the City of Santa Clara in order to transact business or occupy space in the City. Businesses located outside of the City, but conducting business activity within city limits, are also required to have a Santa Clara business license.

• To apply for a business license, visit Business Tax & License.