Service name

Required for partnerships, corporations, and businesses with employees. Sole proprietors without employees can use their Social Security number.

Phone: (800) 829-4933
Cost: $0
Website: Get an EIN | Internal Revenue Service
More Info: How to Apply for an EIN | Internal Revenue Service

If using a name other than your own, register a DBA with the Orange County Clerk Recorder.

Phone: (714) 834-2500
Cost: $23 – $32
Website: Fictitious Business Name | OC Clerk Recorder Department

Certain business structures must register with the California Secretary of State:

Required: Corporations, LLCs, LPs, LLPs
Optional: General Partnerships and Sole Proprietorships
Cost: Varies by entity type ($50 – $120)
More Info: Starting a Business – Entity Types : California Secretary of State

Select a legal entity type (LLC, Corporation, Sole Proprietorship, etc.). This affects taxation, liability, and financing. Consult an attorney or tax professional for guidance.

Cost: Varies by structure and filling type
More Info: Online Business Services | California Secretary of State

Confirm your business location complies with city zoning laws. Check your zoning using the City’s Property Activity Search AND Contact the Planning and Building Agency.

Phone: (714) 647-5804
Cost: $54 – $19,945 (varies by zoning request)
Website: Property Activity Search
More Info: Zoning documents – City of Santa Ana

The City of Santa Ana’s Economic Development Division offers resources to help businesses start, grow, and succeed. Contact us or come visit us at our weekly office hours for assistance with business incentives, job training, and finding a location.

Phone: (714) 647-5445
Cost: $0
Website: Economic Development – City of Santa Ana

Additional Support:
•Orange County Inland Empire Small Business Development Center (SBDC) offers free workshops and consulting on marketing, planning, funding, and management.
Phone: (800) 616-7232
Cost: $0
Website: OCIE SBDC

•SCORE Orange County provides free expert mentoring, workshops, and online business tools.
Phone: (714) 550-7369
Cost: $0
Website: Orange County | SCORE

A dog license is an additional form of ID that indicates your dog has been registered with your city and vaccinated against rabies. All dogs, age 4 months and older, are required by law to be licensed in California. Dog licenses are issued as ID tags that must be worn on your dog’s collar at all times. The City of Santa Ana currently contracts with PetData to administer the dog licensing process.

Each household in the City of Santa Ana is limited to three (3) dogs only.

No, a dog license may not be transferred from one owner to a new owner. The new owner will be required to register for a new dog license.

The law requires that dogs are up to date on their rabies vaccine. You must submit the proof of rabies vaccination along with your license application form. Additionally, license fees are discounted for dogs that are spayed/neutered (proof required). A full breakdown of the applicable fees, including discounts for seniors, is shown below:

• • Regular (unaltered)                                   Each dog          $159
  • Puppy (between 4-6 months)              Each dog          $28
  • Spayed/Neutered                                       Each dog          $28
  • Senior Citizen                                               First dog           $14
  • Replacement Tag                                        Each dog          $9
  • Late Fee (after 15 days past due)      Each dog          $48

A license tag greatly improves the chance that your dog will be returned home if they get lost. When you purchase a license, your dog is assigned a unique ID number that links to you as the owner. Better yet, if one of our animal control officers picks up your licensed dog as a stray, they may be able to return the dog directly to your door. When lost dogs end up in shelters, those with license tags get home faster, opening up shelter space for the animals that truly need it. License fees also help support critical community initiatives.

• There is a mandatory parent orientation from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. on:
  •  May 6 at the Jerome Recreation Center
  •  May 7 at the Salgado Recreation Center
  •  May 8 at the El Salvador Community Center
  • You can attend any orientation, but we recommend the one at the location your child is registered for. Please contact your center location for more information regarding requirements and materials.

• Swimming lessons are provided Monday – Wednesday as a part of the camp for all participants. American Red Cross Learn to Swim classes will be provided by City Aquatics staff to all campers based on age and ability.
• Open recreation swim will be provided on Mondays and Wednesdays.
•  Participants are required Monday – Wednesday to bring a swimsuit, long sleeve rash guard, towel, and sunscreen. Goggles are optional. No floatation devices or swim masks with nose coverage are permitted in the pools.

• Cancellations are permitted one week prior to the first day of each camp. Refunds will be issued, minus a $17 administrative fee as long as staff are notified with at least one-week notice.

• Email us at youth@santa-ana.org or call the Garfield Community Center at (714) 571-4288.

• Refunds are available until the Monday before camp starts, with a $17 processing fee. For example, if camp starts June 2nd, the last day to request a refund is May 26th.

• Yes, you can register your family in our aquatics program outside of camp participation hours.
• We cannot guarantee free swim outside of camp, regardless of age or experience. Check the City’s website for more information regarding open swim hours at each pool facility held outside of our camp hours.

• Yes, participants will receive swimming lessons on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. We will have camp recreational swim on Monday and Wednesday.

• Yes, we will have certified lifeguards teaching swim lessons alongside our summer camp staff providing constant supervision.

• To optimize your child’s experience camp, our experiences are specifically designed for children ages 6-12 years old. Special circumstances may be considered on a case-by-case basis.
• We also have teen summer programs where they can attend programs with peers their own age.

• Yes, but campers must be able to take their medicine on their own. Staff are not trained to administer medication.

• Refunds for illness are considered on a case-by-case basis with a doctor’s note. We don’t offer refunds for partial weeks of camp.

• No, this is a weekly summer camp. Regardless of how many days the child attends in the week, the fee is set.

• Excursions are included in the weekly fee, and we encourage full participation. There’s no separate fee for excursions.

Excursions happen every Thursday. Notable trips include:

• • Week 2: Newport Harbor Whale Watching
  • Week 6: Medieval Times
  • Week 8: Bolsa Chica State Beach
  • Week 10: Wild Rivers

• At this time, our camps do not have the capacity to offer amended programming. While we cannot enforce attendance, there is a 14:1 child to staff ratio, with a 10:1 child to staff ratio for water excursions and we take precautions to ensure your child is safe with us.

• Yes, we are working with the Santa Ana United School District to provide lunch Monday-Friday. Campers with food allergies and sensitivities are responsible to bring their own lunch and ensure the snacks they bring are in line with campers’ dietary needs.

• For the safety of your child, pick-up is at the center where we can verify designated adults.

• For the safety of all campers, only registered participants may attend camp daily –this includes excursions. If you are concerned about attending with your camper, this camp may not be the best for you and your family.

• Please write all adults that are authorized to pick up your camper on your emergency card in your parent packet before camp starts. Designated adults will have to show an ID to pick up the camper. Guardians can add authorized persons to the emergency card as needed.

• You can pay for just the weeks your child attends. Each week is paid separately.

• Yes, there’s a $17 fee for cancellations or refunds.

• You can cancel up to one week before the first day of camp.

• Residents: $110 for one child, $70 for each additional sibling
• Non-Residents: $130 for one child, $90 for each additional sibling
• Register before July 1 and save!

**All prices are subject to change.

• Registration opens on April 3rd for all 10 weeks, and ends at 10:00 a.m. the Monday of each camp week. For example, registration for Week 1 (June 2–6) ends on June 2nd at 10:00 a.m.

• While we encourage campers to stay for the full day, parents can pick up their child any time with advance notice the day before early pick-up is needed.

• Monday to Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., with the exception of the 4th of July week. Camp will be held Monday to Thursday, June 2 to August 8.

Camp runs from June 2 to August 8, Monday to Friday.

• Visit the official City of Santa Ana Summer Splash Day Camp webpage and follow us on Instagram @santaanaparks for updates. You can also email us at youth@santa-ana.org or call the Garfield Community Center at (714) 571-4288.

• Yes, kids within the age range (6-12) can join our programs. However, we may not be able to provide extra support since staff care for up to 14 campers and are not trained for high-needs children. Please speak to the campsite director to see if the camp is a good fit for your child.

• There is a mandatory parent orientation from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. on:
• • May 6 at the Jerome Recreation Center
  • May 7 at the Salgado Recreation Center
  • May 8 at the El Salvador Community Center
• You can attend any orientation, but we recommend the one at the location your child is registered for. Please contact your center location for more information regarding requirements and materials.

• Swimming lessons are provided Monday – Wednesday as a part of the camp for all participants. American Red Cross Learn to Swim classes will be provided by City Aquatics staff to all campers based on age and ability.
• Open recreation swim will be provided on Mondays and Wednesdays.
• Participants are required Monday – Wednesday to bring a swimsuit, long sleeve rash guard, towel, and sunscreen. Goggles are optional. No floatation devices or swim masks with nose coverage are permitted in the pools.

How do I report graffiti and other concerns?

• Report an issue online or download the MySantaAna app.

What are the garage sale dates and restrictions?

• Garage sales for residential properties are permitted on the first full weekend of March, June, September, and December of each year. No permit is required. For more information visit the Garage and Yard Sales page.

What can I do about my neighbors barking dog?

• First, talk to your neighbor and let them know that their dog has become an annoyance. If this does not handle the problem then it will need to be handled through the City. Complete the Barking Dog or Noisy Animal Complaint Form.

What is the paramedic subscription program?

• The paramedic subscription program is voluntary. The program provides coverage of emergency paramedic services within the City of Santa Ana to permanent residents at the cost of one annual subscription fee. For more information visit the Paramedic Subscription page.

What are the crime statistics for my neighborhood?

• For recent information regarding crime statistics for Santa Ana visit the CrimeMapping website.

Where can I find demographics for the City or neighborhoods?

• Demographic information for each neighborhood is available in their individual pages. Visit Our Neighborhoods page. To view the City’s demographics visit our Demographics page.

Just moved to Santa Ana? The City has a comprehensive list of phone numbers to assist residents with services. Visit www.santa-ana.org/who-do-i-call/

If you are interested in requesting a 40-yard roll-off container for a neighborhood cleanup, please contact Republic Services Municipal Supervisor Mark Mahan at (657) 467-6207 or mmahan@republicservices.com

Requirements:

• Submit request a minimum of three weeks in advance
• Only authorized neighborhood representatives may request containers through this program

Click here for more information

Santa Ana’s neighborhood associations coordinate a variety of community programs including community resource fairs, social events and clean-up days. A special events training was provided and the PowerPoint and YouTube recording can be found at our Trainings Page. For more information on holding events at City Parks, public property, or private property visit the Event Planning page.

• January 2025
• February 2025 
• April 2025
• May 2025

While Pre-Approved ADU Plans have already been reviewed by City staff, navigating the permit, plan check, and development process can be complex. To better assist you through this process, it is highly advised that you contact City staff for a pre-submittal consultation.  Email us at planning@santa-ana.org to schedule your pre-submittal consultation.

• To make your consultation as fruitful as possible, please review the following required Pre-Approved ADU application submittal documents,  prepare to discuss your ADU proposal, and think of any questions that you may have.
  • Pre-Approved ADU Submittal Checklist, use this sheet as a guide to ensure your plans meet all necessary requirements for submittal.
  • Pre-Approved ADU Application and Affidavit
  • Pre-Approved ADU Hold Harmless Agreement
  • Site Plan detailing the Pre-Approved Plan set utilized, all existing and proposed structures, property lines, walkways, driveways, landscaped yards, walls/fences, air conditioning units, and existing or proposed easements (minimum scale: 1 inch = 20 feet).
  • Cover Page (Title Sheet) of your chosen Pre-Approved ADU Plan must have all fillable fields completed.
  • Detached ADU Grading Permit Waiver shall be submitted, completed and signed along with application.
  • Copy of Recent Title Report: The Title Report must have been completed within the last six months and must include an Assessor’s Parcel Map, Grant Deed, and Legal Description for the property. The Grant Deed should indicate the owner of record signing the General Data and Affidavit form.  A Title Report can be obtained through any title company.
  • All other required documents and applications that apply to your project (see Pre-Approved ADU Submittal Checklist).
  • Site Plan and Cover Page (Title Sheet) of your chosen Pre-Approved ADU Plan must be a minimum size of 24″ X 36″.

A neighborhood association is comprised of resident volunteers within a geographic location in Santa Ana. These resident volunteers come together based on needs or concerns to help improve their neighborhood. An organized neighborhood association can influence positive changes throughout their neighborhood by creating a sense of community pride among neighbors and by establishing a recognized political voice within City Hall. By focusing neighborhood efforts on specific issues, visual changes become apparent. The neighborhood will also have a better understanding of how the Santa Ana city government functions. Guidelines to creating a neighborhood association.

Once you have been issued your permits, you can begin construction and call (714) 667-2738 to schedule inspections.

• Once all City departments have reviewed and approved your application submittal, you will be required to pay all permit, inspection, capacity and/or impact fees.
  • Please note School District development impact fees will need to be paid offsite at respective School District offices.
• When you have paid all required fees and presented City staff with City and School District clearances, permits can then be pulled.

• To submit your Pre-Approved ADU application please contact your assigned case planner (if you elected to schedule a pre-submittal consultation) or contact the Planning Division at planning@santa-ana.org to schedule a submittal meeting.
• Please note that all projects utilizing the Pre-Approved ADU Plans may only be submitted over-the-counter with paper copies of all documents.
• During your over-the-counter visit, City staff will review your application for completeness and code compliance. Your ADU application will be reviewed by Planning, Building and Safety, and the Public Works Agency. Provided your application is complete and your proposal complies with all code requirements, your over-the-counter submittal may be approved in as little as one day.

If you don’t hear back after a couple weeks, we were likely unable to accept your business for our events due to reaching maximum capacity. If you have further questions feel free to reach out to specialevents@santa-ana.org

Please do not submit more than one inquiry for this event for the same business concept.

Due to the high volume of applications received, only approved vendors will receive an email with event information within 1-2 weeks. Please double check your SPAM folder.

Interest forms open starting December 9, 2025, and close on January 8, 2025. Please submit your form within this timeframe. If selected, a city representative will reach out with further event information and logistics after the application window closes.

Yes, there are restrictions, including but not limited to: liquor, CBD products, weapons, or any items deemed inappropriate for a family-friendly event.

For this city event, there is no cost for the selected food vendors or exhibitors. However, each organization is responsible for providing their own equipment, such as tables, chairs, or canopies.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) mission is to protect human health and the environment.

Learn More

The Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) protects and enhances the health of Californians and the State’s environment through scientific evaluations that inform, support and guide regulatory and other actions.

Learn More.

The role of the DTSC is to protect California’s people and the environment from the harmful effects of toxic substances by restoring contaminated resources, enforcing hazardous waste laws, reducing hazardous waste generation, and encouraging the manufacture of chemically safer products.

Learn more.

The mission of the Regional Boards is to develop and enforce water quality objectives and implementation plans that will best protect the beneficial uses of the State’s waters, recognizing local differences in climate, topography, geology, and hydrology.

Learn more.

South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) is the regulatory agency responsible for improving air quality for large areas of Los Angeles, Orange County, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties, including the Coachella Valley.

Learn more.

The Orange County Water District (OCWD) is responsible for managing the vast groundwater basin that provides most of northern and central Orange County’s drinking water.

Learn more.

The OC Health Care Agency serves the entire county and is charged with protecting and promoting individual, family, and community through a variety of service areas; most of which are preventive in nature.

Learn more.

Orange County Environmental Justice (OCEJ) is a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environmental justice organization. Their mission is to advance environmental justice by mobilizing and empowering marginalized community members.

Learn more.

The City of Santa Ana is mandated to ensure that no pollution is allowed to enter into any drainage facility that the City owns or maintains by the Federal Program called NPDES.

Learn more.

GREEN-MPNA (Getting Residents Engaged in Empowering Neighborhoods) and its programming emerged from needs identified by Madison Park parents and youth, including (1) supporting youth and families to pursue educational and leadership opportunities and (2) improving health equity outcomes through wellness programs and environmental justice policy work.

Learn more.

Orange County Water District

The Orange County Water District (OCWD) is responsible for managing the vast groundwater basin that provides most of northern and central Orange County’s drinking water.

Orange County Health Care Agency

The OC Health Care Agency serves the entire county and is charged with protecting and promoting individual, family, and community through a variety of service areas; most of which are preventive in nature.

National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES)

The City of Santa Ana is mandated to ensure that no pollution is allowed to enter into any drainage facility that the City owns or maintains by the Federal Program called NPDES.

Orange County Environmental Justice

Orange County Environmental Justice (OCEJ) is a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environmental justice organization. Their mission is to advance environmental justice by mobilizing and empowering marginalized community members.

Madison Park Neighborhood Association

GREEN-MPNA (Getting Residents Engaged in Empowering Neighborhoods) and its programming emerged from needs identified by Madison Park parents and youth, including (1) supporting youth and families to pursue educational and leadership opportunities and (2) improving health equity outcomes through wellness programs and environmental justice policy work.

Department of Toxic Substances Control

The role of the DTSC is to protect California’s people and the environment from the harmful effects of toxic substances by restoring contaminated resources, enforcing hazardous waste laws, reducing hazardous waste generation, and encouraging the manufacture of chemically safer products.

Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment

The Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) protects and enhances the health of Californians and the State’s environment through scientific evaluations that inform, support and guide regulatory and other actions.

South Coast Air Quality Management District

South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) is the regulatory agency responsible for improving air quality for large areas of Los Angeles, Orange County, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties, including the Coachella Valley.

State Water Resources Control Board

The mission of the Regional Boards is to develop and enforce water quality objectives and implementation plans that will best protect the beneficial uses of the State’s waters, recognizing local differences in climate, topography, geology, and hydrology.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) mission is to protect human health and the environment.

Learn more

SolarAPP+ allows up to 3 revisions under the $35.00 fee.  They must resubmit the application to SolarAPP+ and once the resubmittal is approved, they will receive a modified permit number, for example:

• • Original SolarAPP+ ID: SA20230117-242-19-1234-A
  • First Approved Revision SolarAPP+ ID:SA20230117-242-19-1234-B
  • Second Approved Revision SolarAPP+ ID: SA20230117-242-19-C
  • Third and Last Approved Revision SolarAPP+ ID: SA20230117-242-19-1234-D

Once the contractor receives the new SolarAPP+ ID, a revision request is required through the City of Santa Ana PBx portal.  Click here to submit a request. All revision requests are processed within 72 business hours.

There will be an option for an electrical panel upgrade when applying for your SolarAPP+ application

SolarAPP+ collects a one-time fee of $35.00.  The City application fee is separate and is the same as a regular solar permit.

When the contractor applies for SolarAPP+ on NREL Site, there will be a question to verify the building is permitted. If the building is not permitted, they are ineligible to apply on NREL’s SolarAPP+ and instead must apply for the regular solar permit. Click here for more information.

Once the solar contractor gets their plan approved by SolarAPP+, the solar contractor applies for the permit on PBx with their SolarAPP+ approval code, and the permit is issued right away.

Contractors who have completed training and are approved by SolarAPP+ are the only applicants that are accepted to use this streamlined process on SolarAPP+

NREL stands for National Renewable Energy Lab, a national laboratory of the U.S. Department of Energy, About NREL|NREL. SolarAPP+ is an application developed by NREL that allows authorized contractors to submit plans for certain rooftop residential solar projects and receive permits and plan check documents instantly.

SolarAPP+ is a standardized plan review software that runs compliance checks and processes building permit approvals for eligible rooftop solar systems. NREL created SolarAPP+ process.

Please contact our office at (714) 647-5454 to speak with a Customer Service Representative for more information. Be advised that the City may require full payment of all outstanding charges, including penalties, to resume service.

Please contact our office at (714) 647-5454 to speak with a Customer Service Representative for more information.

MUS does not shut off water service on days when City Hall is closed, including weekends, holidays, and alternating Fridays. If water service is interrupted on a day that City Hall is closed, please contact the Public Works Agency at (714) 647-3380.

Please contact our office at (714) 647-5454 to speak with a Customer Service Representative for more information.

Limited rebates are available for residents who practice water-saving habits. More information may be found here: https://www.santa-ana.org/rebates/.

Outside organizations (not affiliated with the City of Santa Ana) also offer limited financial assistance for utility bills and customers may contact them at the information listed below. The City does not substantiate or make claim to the validity of these organizations and advises customers to do their due diligence in requesting financial assistance.

Share Our Selves – https://shareourselves.org/

Community Action Partnership – https://capoc.org/

The City is not offering any additional financial assistance at this time.

The City defaults to a 12 months payment plan. Please contact our office for more information regarding payment plans and to review your options.

Penalty waivers may be requested and are reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Requests for waivers of any kind are not guaranteed to be approved.

No discounts are provided for outstanding balances or applied to utility rates.