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1. I am new to the City and want to open a business in Fontana. Who do I contact at the City to help me with the process for opening a business?

Please contact Economic Development Analyst Rhonesia Perry at (909) 350-6741, or at rperry@fontana.org.

2. Who do I contact to get a list of commercial and industrial sites that are available in the City of Fontana?

You will need to contact a broker who provides commercial and industrial listings in the City of Fontana. Most of this information is available on the Internet. You will need to talk with the broker and get his or her client's contact information, so you can interview clients to determine if you want to hire the broker to represent you in your search for a perfect site for your type of business. The City is unable to recommend a specific broker to you.

You can also find the site yourself through Google Maps or drive around the city looking for a piece of property. If you find a site, please remember to check land use and zoning by contacting the Planning Division at (909) 350-6718.

3. What do I do to start my business once I find a piece of property?

Before you enter escrow to buy the property, you want to contact the Planning Division to find out the land use and zoning designation for the property. This is first and foremost because you want to be sure that the property is zoned for the type of business that you want to establish. The Planning Division can be reached at (909) 350-6718.

4. Where can I find information about land use and zoning and what can be built on a piece of property in Fontana?

You can find the land use map on the City’s website. For the zoning map, please contact the Planning Division at (909) 350-6718 and a member of the Planning Division staff would be happy to assist you.

5. What is the process I need to go through with the City to get my plans approved so I can build my building?

Before you submit an application to the City, we suggest that you contact Rhonesia Perry, the Economic Development Analyst at (909) 350-6741. Ms. Perry will help coordinate a meeting with the City’s development team to give you initial feedback on what you need to do for submittal of plans, process, fees, etc. This is so that you are aware of the investment that you’ll have to make before you submit any development application to the City.

6. Where can I obtain business startup information?

The Inland Empire Small Business Development Center (IESBDC) provides small businesses and entrepreneurs in Riverside and San Bernardino Counties with business assistance services. The IESBDC offers informative seminars and workshops, including a workshop on starting a small business. They also offer specialized services and programs for businesses. You can obtain more information on the services provided by IESBDC on their website or by calling (951) 781-2345.

7. Where can I get a list of architects and engineers who can assist me with the plans I need to submit to the City?

You will need to search for the list of architects and engineers on the Internet. You will need to call the architects and engineers to get his/her client's contact information, so you can interview their clients to determine if you want to hire him/her to prepare your plans. In addition, you will need to check the California Architects Board to find out if an architect is licensed and the license is valid. To find out if an engineer is licensed and the license is still valid, please contact the Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists. The City is unable to recommend a specific architect or engineer to you.