City of LA Makes Starting a Business Easier

LOS ANGELES, CA -- Los Angeles city officials unveiled a website Wednesday that walks entrepreneurs through starting up a small business in Los Angeles.

The sleekly designed L.A. Business Portal site includes a "start-up guide" questionnaire, similar to those used in tax-filing software, that helps users determine the types of permits they need to procure and other steps that need to be taken to comply with city and other laws.

Other sections on the site explain the ins and outs of deciding where to locate the business, how to secure loans, writing a business plan and other information. Depending on the topic, the site points users to the most relevant parts of the city's many departmental websites, such as its online zoning map and case filing system.

"Small businesses are the beating heart of our economy, and the L.A. Business Portal will make City Hall more responsive to their needs by giving them the help and support they deserve, all in one place," Mayor Eric Garcetti said.

The website -- at business.lacity.org -- was created using a $250,000 grant from the U.S. Small Business Administration.

--City News Service. Image via City of Los Angeles