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1. What is a Business License Tax Certificate?

A Business License Tax is an annual tax you pay each fiscal year for doing business within the incorporated area of the City of Cloverdale. The Business License Tax Certificate is evidence only that your tax has been paid, however, other permits may be required to open your business. A separate tax certificate is required for each type of business at the same location or for each branch location.

Cloverdale's municipal code requires that you obtain a license prior to conducting any business activity within the city. Even if your business is located outside the city limits or you have a business license from another city you are required to pay tax in Cloverdale.

Receipt of a Business License Certificate does not constitute an endorsement of the business nor does it grant permission to conduct business at any place prohibited by the city’s Zoning Ordinances or any other federal, state, or local regulation.

2. If the city's Business License Tax doesn't regulate professionals, trades people and business owners, what does the license do?

The City of Cloverdale business license is a tax on the privilege of conducting business in the City of Cloverdale and is solely for the purpose of raising revenue for municipal purposes.

The payment of your tax for a business "license" simply reflects a tax payment in much the same way the "license" plate on a car represents a tax payment.

3. Who needs to pay the Business License Tax?

Essentially anyone who sells a product, produces a product, or provides a service is required to pay an annual tax which is initially collected with the application. To be clear, if you do not receive a payroll check for the type of product you sell or service you provide, you are probably subject to a business license tax.

4. I receive a 1099 earnings certificate that I file with my tax return because my employer does not pay me like their other employees. Do I need to pay the Business License Tax?

Yes, you do. You are considered an independent contractor or are self-employed, therefore, act as a business owner even if you provide these services to one business or individual.

5. Why do I need to pay this tax?

The City of Cloverdale is required to collect the business license tax equitably and accurately from all individuals and entities conducting business in the City of Cloverdale. This tax is used for the benefit of the community by using the revenue to provide 911 emergency services to the community, maintain city streets and public parks, furnish animal control services, and provide local law enforcement and community services as a few examples. Without this revenue, services are subject to a reduction in staff or maintenance.

6. Do I need planning, zoning and/or building permits before I submit my business license tax application?

Individuals and businesses can submit and pay a tax anytime they expect to do business in Cloverdale. However, planning, zoning and/or building permit requirements may also need to be in place before you start providing business services.

Please contact the Cloverdale Community Development and Planning Department at 707-894-1701 for more information. They are open Monday through Thursday from 8 am to 5 pm.

7. Do I need to have a fictitious business name or DBA?

County regulations require persons doing business for profit under a fictitious name (does not include your surname in the company name) file a fictitious business name statement. For information 24 hours per day, 7 days per week that is pre-recorded, please call the Sonoma County Clerk's Office at 707-565-3700.

8. Are there any restrictions on where I do business

Every business must meet planning and/or zoning requirements to ensure that its business category and site are compatible. Before signing any leases, please contact the City of Cloverdale Community Development Department at 707-894-1701.

9. I conduct business in several towns. Can I just get one license to do business in all of them?

Unfortunately, no. Each city and town has its own business license requirements and probably need to obtain a license for each. Cloverdale will not honor any business license certificate obtained from another city or town.

10. My business is just starting and I haven't made any money. Do I still have to pay a tax?

Yes. The tax is imposed if you intend to or have started doing business in Cloverdale, whether you have or have not generated income from your business. This includes a part-time or hobby-related business.

11. I own more than one business. Do I need to pay a separate tax for each?

Yes, if you own more than one business, a separate Business License Tax Certificate is required for each.

12. How much does a Business License cost?

The business license is based on a flat tax plus additional amounts depending on the type of business and number of employees. A typical annual business license tax starts at $57.25 up to $338.50 annually. All tax rates are listed in the Cloverdale Municipal Code and are included with the Business License Tax Application Packet (PDF).

13. How often do I pay this tax?

The tax is an annual amount. Each December, the city will mail a renewal notice and bill to the address on record and payment is due prior to January 31st of each year to prevent penalties. It is the responsibility of the business or individual to notify the city in writing when they do not intend to do business in Cloverdale for the next calendar year. Once an account is inactivated, a new application is required to resume business.

14. How do I obtain a license and how long does it take to apply?

You can obtain an application from City Hall, or download the Business License Tax Application Packet (PDF).

Complete the application and return it with your payment to City Hall at 124 North Cloverdale Boulevard in Cloverdale. You can also mail it to:
PO Box 217
Cloverdale, CA 95425

Once received and the payment has been processed, you will receive your business license certificate in 2 to 6 weeks.

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1. How is the police department enforcing immigration laws we hear about in the news?

In response to several citizens’ legitimate concerns regarding immigration and deportations under President Trump’s administration, Chief Cramer wrote an open letter to the Cloverdale community allaying local immigration enforcement concerns. The letter was published in the Cloverdale Reveille on January 3, 2017 in both English and Spanish. Please take a moment to read how your police department serves all its citizens, regardless of status. Open Letter English

2. I need the Immigration Open Letter in Spanish - where can I find it?

In response to several citizens’ legitimate concerns regarding immigration and deportations under President Trump’s administration, Chief Cramer wrote an open letter to the Cloverdale community allaying local immigration enforcement concerns. The letter was published in the Cloverdale Reveille on January 3, 2017 in both English and Spanish. Please take a moment to read how your police department serves all its citizens, regardless of status. Open Letter Spanish

3. How do I file a commendation or make a complaint?

Please go to our Forms and Documents page to find informational brochures and the forms you are encouraged to complete and submit. Police Employee Commendation / Complaint Form

4. Does the City of Cloverdale have a noise ordinance?

The City of Cloverdale does have ordinances to address certain aspects of noise complaints.

Barking Dogs: Cloverdale Municipal Code (CMC) 6.04.350 addresses barking dogs. For more information copy then paste the following in your browser: http://codepublishing.com/CA/Cloverdale/?Cloverdale06/Cloverdale0604.html#6.04.350

Loud Parties: Cloverdale Municipal Code (CMC) 9.32.050 addresses loud parties. For more information copy then paste the following in your browser: http://codepublishing.com/CA/Cloverdale/?Cloverdale09/Cloverdale0932.html#9.32.050

General Noise Complaints: California Penal Code Section 415(2) makes it a misdemeanor to "maliciously and willfully disturb another person by loud and unreasonable noise." For more information copy and paste the following in your browser: http://codes.lp.findlaw.com/cacode/PEN/3/1/11/s415

5. How do I pay a Cloverdale parking ticket?

The amount of the parking fine will be marked on your copy of the parking ticket by the officer issuing the parking citation. You will need to put a check or money order, along with the parking citation, in the envelope provided with your parking citation. We suggest you keep a copy of your parking citation for your records.

6. How do I get a dog license?

As of January 1, 2016, the City has contracted with the nonprofit Petaluma Animal Services Foundation to provide animal control services, including the administration of the dog licensing program.

Should you have any question regarding your dog’s license you may call Petaluma Animal Services Foundation at 707-778-PETS (7387), email them at info@petalumaanimalshelter.org, or contact City Hall at (707) 894-3451.

Payment methods accepted include:
Walk-in: (Check or Cash) Drop payment off at City Hall
Mail: Check only to Petaluma Animal Shelter at 840 Hopper Street, Petaluma, CA 94952

Online link: Petaluma Animal Shelter

7. How do I get a report?

Not all reports are releasable under the Public Records Act. To obtain a copy of a police report, fill out our Request for Information or Records Form and return it to our Department. Our Records Supervisor will review the request to make sure the report you are requesting is not exempt from disclosure. The Supervisor will contact you within 10 working days. View the Request for Information or Records Form.

8. How do I get my vehicle out of storage?

If your vehicle was towed and stored by the Cloverdale Police Department, you will need to get a release from our Department. This fee is in addition to any and all fees imposed on the vehicles by the tow company/storage facility.

Vehicles will only be released to the registered owner. Registration and ownership must be current prior to release of any vehicle. If the registered owner is unavailable, a notarized affidavit allowing another person to take possession of the vehicle is required and must be submitted to the Cloverdale Police Department.

Vehicles will only be released to a driver holding a valid driver's license.

Only exact cash, checks or money orders are accepted.

View the Fee Schedule for current fees. Fee Schedule.

9. How do I get a bicycle license?

Bicycle licenses are available at the Cloverdale Police Department and are good for two years. There is no charge for a bicycle license.

Cloverdale Police Department

10. What are Cloverdale Police Department's business hours?

The Cloverdale Police Department is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

11. What are City Hall's business hours?

City Hall is open Monday through Thursday, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm, excluding holidays. City Hall is closed every Friday and holidays.

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1. What is Stage 1 Water Conservation?

This stage is voluntary, however, the City retains the right to enforce our Municipal Code when water is blatantly wasted. For the majority of water customers, the city is expecting them to self-monitor their water use and to continue doing the best they can to save water. Fines and/or shut-off of services will only happen for blatant water wasters who will be notified by phone or door hanger of any infraction; upon continued waste, they will be notified by letter warning of possible shut-off of services.

2. The city's approach to reducing water by requiring 25% reduction seems unfair. Doesn't this approach penalize those of us that have already been conserving?

Stage 1 is voluntary and unmonitored. The code enforcement procedures will only be applied to those customers that blatantly waste water. Therefore, for customers already conserving, the city asks that you continue to save water and look for additional ways to reduce water use further.

If the target savings are not achieved, the city may enact Stage 2 (mandatory and unmonitored) or Stage 3 Mandatory Reductions which is monitored and would allocate 65 gallons per person per day to each property. Stage 3 is equitable so long as there is an accurate count of the number of people per house. However, this method is extremely time-consuming to administer. It requires daily or weekly monitoring of each customer's water use and enforcement on a larger number of customers.

3. How do I know if I am using 25% less water?

The 25% reduction is measured against the same month's water use from the year 2013. A thirteenth month has been added to your water bill so this comparison can be made.

4. What if I don't have usage from last year because I've lived on the property a short time? How is my reduction percentage calculated?

We are asking everyone to conserve. Take a look at several months of your usage, take the average and reduce that by 25%.

5. With Stage 1 Water Conservation, will I be allowed to water my lawn?

The city is requiring all customers to limit their irrigation to the evening hours and on the even/odd schedule shown on our Stage 1 Water Conservation page.

If you wish to turn off your irrigation and let your lawn brown this summer you can preserve the turf by avoiding walking on the grass which could damage or kill the grass. If the drought persists, the City Council may consider passing a resolution to enact Stage 2 or Stage 3 water conservation measures.

6. If we get a "miracle March", will customers still need to reduce water useage?

Governor Jerry Brown has issued an Executive Order requiring a mandatory 25% reduction in residential and commercial water use. Even with a "miracle March" water conservation is still needed.

7. Why hasn't the city done more to prevent this shortage from happening?

The year 2013 was the driest year in over 400 years and the entire state remains in a water shortage crisis. To protect from continued dry years, the city installed a new well in August 2013, two additional wells were brought on-line in July 2014, and a new storage tank will be completed in 2015. These new wells are not projected to "dry up" because they draw deep down from the underflow of the Russian River.

8. Has the city looked into using recycled water for irrigation?

The city has extensively studied upgrading its waste-water treatment plant. Installing dual system piping and constructing large reservoirs to hold recycled water is estimated to cost over $60 million dollars which is beyond the city's means at this time.

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1. Can I use a sprinkler attached to a hose?

No. The only exception is for customers who have been accepted into the Sprinkler System Waiver (PDF) / Water Budget program.

2. What is the Sprinkler System Waiver/Water Budget Program?

According to the city's municipal code, the use of sprinklers is conditional upon use of a water budget and the city continues to discourage customers from irrigating landscapes at this time. However, the city has developed an enrollment program for customers to apply for and request permission to irrigate landscapes with the use of sprinklers. A water budget must be followed and overall water use still requires a 25% reduction in use compared to last year's usage. To apply, please obtain a Sprinkler System Waiver (PDF) Application, complete and return for review.

3. After I submit my Sprinkler System Waiver Application, what happens next?

City staff will visit your property to confirm the square footage of the turf area shown on your application. You do not need to be home and we will not go onto your property. If we cannot determine the square footage as presented on your application, we will use other resources such as Google Earth or development plans, or contact you for clarification.

4. If I am approved to use my sprinkler system (whether automatic or one attached to the end of a hose), what do I do next?

For watering, use the same odd-even schedule shown on the Stage 1 Water Conservation page and water between 7 pm and 9 am only (no watering allowed on Mondays). On request, the city will provide a sign that you may post on your property to tell others that you have agreed to follow the city municipal mode as it pertains to the use of sprinkler systems.

5. Where do I report properties that aren't following the rules?

We hope citizens take a Good Neighbor approach and help others simply by having a conversation and invite them to find additional information on the city's website or ask them to stop by City Hall for clarification.

If you've had a conversation but feel a neighbor isn't fully understanding the Stage 1 Water Conservation rules, please email Customer Service. Be sure to let us know the exact address and details of the concern, along with dates and times of what is being observed. We'll mail materials to them to help give them the tools they need to follow the Municipal Code.

6. Will I get a fine if I don't follow the Stage 1 restrictions?

Customers will not receive an automatic fine or penalty. The city's approach is to open a dialogue with a customer. Failing to comply after repeated issues are addressed, the city will follow the Municipal Code which includes mailing two letters. If a customer continues non-compliance, penalties will be assessed and the customer is at risk for termination of water service. The city has no interest in terminating the services to any of its customers.