40 requirements and steps for Sunnyvale, CA · 0 handled
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Local rules shown for Sunnyvale, CA (Santa Clara County). State and federal rules apply wherever you open.
All 40 rules for Sunnyvale, as a printable checklist with what to do for each. Free — we just ask where to send it.
Businesses open to the public must remove architectural barriers where readily achievable: accessible parking, entrances, path of travel, counters, restrooms and fitting rooms. Courts increasingly apply ADA to websites too.
Risk: One of the most common lawsuits against small businesses. Fixing barriers after a suit is far more expensive than before.
Every photo, illustration, font, video and song is copyrighted by default. Using one found on Google, Pinterest or another business's site without a license is infringement — even if you credit the creator or remove it later.
Risk: Statutory damages run $750–$30,000 per image, up to $150,000 if willful. Agencies scan the web and send demand letters automatically.
Sets federal minimum wage, overtime for non-exempt workers, recordkeeping, and child labor rules. California and Sunnyvale rules are stricter and take priority.
Risk: Misclassifying employees as exempt or as contractors leads to back-pay plus equal liquidated damages.
Verify identity and work authorization of every new hire within 3 business days.
Risk: Fines per form for paperwork errors.
Prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age (40+) and more.
Risk: EEOC charges and lawsuits; California FEHA applies at a lower threshold.
Employers must keep the workplace free of recognized hazards. In California, Cal/OSHA administers these rules with stricter standards.
Risk: Citations and penalties after inspections or complaints.
Ads must be truthful and claims substantiated. Fake or incentivized reviews and undisclosed influencer posts are illegal under the 2024 FTC rule on reviews.
Risk: Civil penalties per violation for fake reviews.
Marketing emails need an accurate sender, physical address and working unsubscribe. Marketing texts and robocalls require prior express written consent.
Risk: TCPA allows $500–$1,500 per unwanted text — class actions are common.
Obtain an EIN if you have employees or are a partnership/corporation. Withhold and deposit payroll taxes and file 1099s for contractors paid $600+ (rising to $2,000 for payments made after 2025).
Risk: Trust-fund penalties can hold owners personally liable.
Packaged foods need ingredient and allergen labeling (9 major allergens incl. sesame). Chains with 20+ locations must post calories.
Risk: Recalls and liability for allergic reactions.
If you offer group health insurance, employers with 20+ employees must offer continued coverage after job loss (COBRA). Smaller employers (2–19) are covered by Cal‑COBRA through the insurer.
Risk: Excise taxes and lawsuits for missed notices.
At 50+ employees, federal FMLA leave applies, and the ACA requires offering affordable health coverage to full-time staff and filing Forms 1094-C/1095-C.
Risk: ACA penalties of thousands of dollars per full-time employee.
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Any ADA violation is automatically an Unruh violation in California, which adds money damages that federal ADA doesn't allow. This is why California sees so many accessibility suits.
Risk: Minimum $4,000 per visit plus attorney fees.
Gives Californians rights to know, delete, correct and opt out of the sale/sharing of their personal data. Ad trackers and pixels can count as "sharing".
Risk: $2,500 per violation ($7,500 intentional); data-breach suits with statutory damages.
Any website or app that collects personal info (even a contact form or newsletter signup) from Californians must post a conspicuous privacy policy.
Risk: Up to $2,500 per violation under unfair competition law.
Advertised and listed prices must include all mandatory fees (service charges, booking fees). Restaurants may list a mandatory fee separately only if clearly disclosed with its purpose.
Risk: Unfair competition claims and AG enforcement.
Daily overtime after 8 hours, meal breaks (30 min before 5th hour), rest breaks (10 min per 4 hours), itemized pay stubs, and final pay on the last day. Sunnyvale's local minimum wage is higher than the state's.
Risk: PAGA lawsuits let employees sue for penalties on behalf of all workers.
Employees earn at least 1 hour per 30 worked; employers must allow use of at least 40 hours / 5 days per year.
Risk: Penalties and wage claims.
Bans discrimination and harassment; requires sexual harassment prevention training every 2 years (2 hrs supervisors, 1 hr staff).
Risk: Uncapped damages in harassment suits.
Mandatory for every California employer with even one employee.
Risk: Operating without it is a crime; stop-work orders and fines.
Register with EDD within 15 days of paying over $100 in wages. Employers with 1+ employee must offer a retirement plan or register for CalSavers.
Risk: CalSavers non-compliance penalties up to $750 per employee.
Every employer needs a written Injury and Illness Prevention Program. Since July 2024 most employers also need a written Workplace Violence Prevention Plan and annual training.
Risk: Among the most-cited Cal/OSHA violations.
Required to sell tangible goods in California. Sunnyvale's combined sales tax rate is 9.125%.
Risk: Personal liability for uncollected tax.
Requires warnings for exposure to listed chemicals (e.g. acrylamide in coffee/fried food, BPA, lead).
Risk: Private enforcers send 60-day notices; penalties up to $2,500/day.
Governs food handling, temperatures, sanitation and facilities. At least one Certified Food Protection Manager; all food handlers need a California Food Handler Card within 30 days of hire.
Risk: Closure orders during inspections.
Selling or serving beer, wine or spirits requires an ABC license, and staff serving alcohol must complete RBS (Responsible Beverage Service) training.
Risk: License suspension and criminal penalties.
Utensils, straws and condiment packets only on request. Food businesses must subscribe to organics recycling; larger ones must donate edible surplus food.
Risk: Fines from the city and CalRecycle.
Employers with 5+ employees (counting those outside CA) must give 2 hours of training to supervisors and 1 hour to all other staff every 2 years, within 6 months of hire.
Risk: Weakens your defense in harassment claims; CRD can order compliance.
With 5+ employees, eligible workers get up to 12 weeks of job-protected leave for their own or a family member's serious illness, or baby bonding. Pregnancy disability leave applies at the same size.
Risk: Retaliation and interference lawsuits.
Employers with at least 1 employee that do not offer a retirement plan must register with CalSavers or offer their own plan.
Risk: Penalties of $250 per employee, rising to $500.
California presumes workers are employees unless all three ABC conditions are met: free from your control, doing work outside your usual business, and running their own independent business. Some professions have exemptions.
Risk: Misclassification brings back wages, payroll taxes, penalties up to $25,000 per violation, and PAGA lawsuits.
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Every business operating in Sunnyvale — including home-based and online businesses — must register and pay the annual business license tax.
Risk: Penalties and back taxes.
Sunnyvale sets its own minimum wage, adjusted every January 1 (2025: $19.00/hour). It applies to anyone working 2+ hours a week within city limits and is higher than the state minimum.
Risk: Back wages, penalties and city enforcement.
Your business use must be allowed in the zoning district. Some uses (restaurants with alcohol, gyms, massage, late hours) need a use permit from Sunnyvale Planning.
Risk: Being forced to close or relocate after signing a lease.
Permanent exterior signs, and many window and temporary banners, require a sign permit.
Risk: Removal orders and fines.
Sunnyvale's Department of Public Safety performs fire inspections; commercial kitchens need hood suppression systems, and businesses need extinguishers and clear exits.
Risk: Occupancy may be denied until corrected.
Food facilities need plan check approval and an annual health permit from the County Department of Environmental Health, with routine inspections and posted placards.
Risk: Red placard = immediate closure.
If you operate under a name other than your legal name or registered entity name, file an FBN with the County Clerk-Recorder and publish it in a newspaper.
Risk: You may be unable to sue to collect debts under that name.
Single-use plastic carryout bags are banned and paper bags carry a charge; expanded polystyrene (Styrofoam) food containers are prohibited.
Risk: City fines.
Smoking and vaping are banned in workplaces, outdoor dining areas and near entrances. Selling tobacco requires a tobacco retail license.
Risk: Fines and license loss.
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General information only, not legal advice. Thresholds and rates change annually — confirm with the official source or an attorney.
