Business Resources
MY LA 3-1-1
http://http/://myla311.lacity.org/LA 311 is a non-emergency number from the City of Los Angeles, used to find information about accidents, injuries, or reports of damages.
GOVERNOR’S OFFICE OF BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (GO-BIZ)
GO-Biz offers assistance with permitting and regulatory information, workshops, and webinars.
U.S. SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION (SBA)
SBA Small Business Development Centers across the state offer free and low-cost professional guidance to entrepreneurs, from business plan development to regulatory compliance.
CA SECRETARY OF STATE
Receives certain basic business filings for corporations, limited liability companies, and some others; commissions notaries public; and maintains Uniform Commercial Code filings.
CA DEPARTMENT OF GENERAL SERVICES
Certifies small business or disabled veteran business enterprises for state contracting.
CA CONTRACTORS STATE LICENSE BOARD
Regulates and licenses the construction industry
DEPARTMENT OF BUILDING AND SAFETY
The Department of Building and Safety offers services to achieve compliance with building, zoning, plumbing, electrical, disabled access, energy, green codes, and land and structure requirements to build a safe, healthy, and efficient city. The department offers various services and resources for homeowners and landlords within the city, including counseling, code permits, property records, requests, payment fees, and checking zoning and property information.
DEPARTMENT OF CITY PLANNING
The Department of City Planning reviews project applications, processes, entitlements, and approvals to ensure future development decisions align with the City’s policies and proposed regulations.
DEPARTMENT OF CANNABIS REGULATION
The Department of Cannabis Regulation administers commercial cannabis licensing and regulation projects. They handle processing applications for commercial cannabis licenses, making citation decisions or recommendations to the Cannabis Regulation Commission, and regulating the operations of licensed commercial cannabis businesses in the city. For resources on legal do’s and don’ts, adult-use cannabis laws and consumption, Count and Stock resources, and health and safety information, please visit the website.
MAYOR’S OFFICE
The Mayor’s Office is responsible for running the City’s daily administration and working with the legislative body to ensure laws are enforced. The elected Mayor leads City Council meetings, provides leadership, receives input from citizens, and makes decision-making decisions. LA Mayor Karen Bass has been serving since 2022 and has worked closely with various government departments to implement executive directives that benefit the community.
DEPARTMENT OF CONVENTION & TOURISM
The Department of Convention and Tourism aims to host and conduct conventions globally, promote economic development and job creation by promoting the City of LA’s unique culture, sports, entertainment, and leisure activities, making it an unparalleled experience. The department achieves its objectives by partnering with several entities, including the Anschutz Investment Group, Los Angeles Convention Center, Los Angeles Tourism and Convention Board, and the CTD Board of Commissioners.
DEPARTMENT OF CULTURAL AFFAIRS
The Department of Culture and Arts promotes arts and culture to create dialogue, engage residents, and ensure diverse cultures are recognized, learned, and experienced. It is responsible for grantmaking, public art, communicative art, form art, and marketing, development, design, and design research.
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
The Department of Transportation is responsible for developing plans to meet the ground transportation needs of the growing public and businesses. They have authority over the conceptual planning and operation of the City’s trees and highways. The department is responsible for the following duties:
1. Studying traffic problems
2. Designing and installing infrastructure, such as lighting meters, tree names, and traffic control systems
3. Developing and operating bus routes for the general public, the elderly, and the disabled
4. Coordinating the development of off-tree parking
5. Enforcing parking regulations
The department also manages and oversees museums, historic sites, and botanical gardens, collects tax revenue, provides inter-sect control, and provides recycling services for public and private schools.
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AGENCY
The Information Technology Agency is responsible for planning, designing, implementing, operating, and coordinating the City’s information technology systems and networks. They are responsible for the quality of information processing and
communications, providing services such as telecommunications, regulation of trade, cable television censorship, and broadcasting for cement, municipal planning and usage, operating the City’s cable channel, and related media.
DEPARTMENT OF NEIGHBORHOOD EMPOWERMENT
The Department of Neighborhood Empowerment (DONE), or Empower LA, supports LA’s Neighborhood Councils citywide, promoting civic engagement and enabling local governments to respond more effectively to local needs. They consist of volunteer elected officials who monitor crime rates within their communities, ensuring better community engagement and responsiveness.
ECONOMIC WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
The Economic Workforce Department aims to support economic development in Los Angeles, generating jobs, creating employment, and providing opportunities for the City, focusing on dedicated work for the environment, sustainable neighborhoods, and profitable communities.
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT
The Emergency Management Department coordinates the preparation, planning, training, and recovery activities of the City’s Emergency Operations Organizations, its divisions, and all City departments. They provide emergency preparedness services to other municipalities, state and federal agencies, and the private sector. EMD has five divisions with administrators and specialists who work with City departments, municipalities, and various community-based organizations. All efforts are made to ensure the City and its residents have the resources and information needed to prepare and respond from emergencies, disasters, and significant events.
HOUSING AUTHORITY DEPARTMENT
The Housing Authority Department is a leading public housing authority in Los Angeles, providing affordable housing and rent to low and very low-income households. They own and operate housing units and administer Section 8 Rent Assistance vouchers through various programs. They also provide economic development, employment education, and social programs as part of their commitment to foster healthy communities and promote economic self-sufficiency.