Choose a location

Zoning is the separation or division of a municipality into districts, the regulation of buildings and structures in such districts in accordance with their construction and the nature and extent of their use, and the dedication of such districts to particular uses designed to serve the general welfare. Before you start the business, you have to verify that the location in which you wish to do business is zoned for that purpose.

Business Hosting Services

To support your company’s settlement The French American Chamber of Commerce of San Francisco provides you Business Hosting services within several simple and flexible solutions adapted to your needs: www.faccsf.com/services/domiciliation

You're moving - Have you done all you need to do ?

6 Months – 1 Year Before Moving Day

• Select office space
• Identify major tenant improvement needs
• Set budget
• Choose the move day
• Obtain necessary permits
• Start contracting for major tenant improvements
• Order new phone number
• Order new fax number

3 – 6 Months Before Moving Day

• Design office space
• Assign office space
• Furniture
• Hire movers
• Evaluate server room needs
• Evaluate computer networking needs
• Order change of address labels
• Order signage for new location
• Identify phone system requirements
• Order phone lines
• Order Internet access
• Arrange for trash disposal
• Set up cleaning service

1-3 Months Before Moving Day

• Get business insurance quote for new space
• Arrange for copier move or buy new equipment
• Order security system
• Order keys and access cardsArrange for coffee/water service
• Send change of address to all vendors
• Send change of address to all clients
• Send change of address to all subscriptions
• Notify all lessors of equipment move
• Order checks with new address
• Order long distance service
• Transfer 800 numbers or order new numbers
• Sell/donate old equipment and furniture

1 Day to 1 Month Before Moving Day

• Contact building management at origin and destination to determine building moving procedures and moving times
• Provide movers with above information
• Obtain all required certificates of insurance
• Install phone lines
• Assign new phone numbers and extensions
• Order new stationery and business cards
• Identify closest overnight drop-off boxes
• Order bin for purging
• Purge old and obsolete materials
• Create new office extension directory
• Create new office layout map
• Create new fax cover sheet
• Notify Post Office of change of address
• Update website with new information
• Obtain packing boxes from moving company
• Back up computer
• Pack up desks and personal spaces
• Pack up common areas
• Tag furniture to be moved
• Tag all wall items and in one place
• Distribute new keys and access cards
• Empty, defrost and clean refrigerator
• Code new office space on a map for mover

Moving Day

• Post coded space maps in office for movers
• Move plants

I just moved – do I need to notify USCIS?

In a recent major policy change, anyone living in the U.S. who is not a U.S. citizen must report every change of address to USCIS within 10 days of the move on Form AR-11.

For proof of due diligence, it is strongly recommended that the form be sent using Certified Mail with Return Receipt cards. Please note that if you have a case pending with USCIS, the Form AR-11 does not also change your address for your case.  You should contact your legal counsel and notify the service center handling your case separately.

• For more details about Zoning, visit; http://www.sfgov.org/site/planning_index.asp
• To prospect and look at available property in San Francisco: http://gispubweb.sfgov.org/website/sfprospector/ed.asp

The information on this site is not intended to constitute legal advice or to substitute for obtaining legal advice from an attorney licensed in your state. This web site is not intended to be advertising under applicable laws and ethical rules. These materials have been prepared by the French American Chamber of Commerce with the expertise of our staff and members for informational purposes only and are not legal advice. Anyone viewing the information should not act upon it without seeking professional counsel. The information contained in this website is provided only as general information which may or may not reflect the most current legal developments.