Office based ffl in LA or Ventura County

[Tannerk818]

[ugimports]

What are the steps for both the ATF and CA state requirements?Do we do the Federal application first or the CA requirements first? I am quite confused on what order to take regarding all these steps.
I thought you understood the federal requirements as stated above? In regards to order you need the FFL to be able to be approved for the CA license.

Would it be better to do it in Ventura or LA county?
DOn't know, check zoning and any local ordanances. Some here may provide feedback if they know.

What safes are required and how many?
CA DOJ Approved. As many as you need


Yes - you need to use that address. I paid for my address for 1 year before all my licensing was done (including local)


Did you read the sticky? https://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/...d.php?t=384995

Unless you own the building your landlord will have to confirm and allow you to run a firearms business. Local licensing is usually the bigger challenge / hurdle. You'll want to make sure all that is going to be good. Federal process takes about 90 days including interview. State process takes less than that from what I remember.

Good luck.

[kemasa]

LA County is a problem due cost of permits. I think it is something like $5k for a conditional use permit. There can be cities in the county, excluding the city of Los Angeles, which can be cheaper.

You need to investigate each location as it really depends on the specific county/city involved.

[ugimports]

LA County is a problem due cost of permits. I think it is something like $5k for a conditional use permit. There can be cities in the county, excluding the city of Los Angeles, which can be cheaper.

You need to investigate each location as it really depends on the specific county/city involved.

Depending on investment/ROI $5k may be doable. That was the cost of my conditional use permit the 1st year.. and then it was cheaper subsequent years.

Of course it's not cheap, but if the location was more important to the OP it may make sense to eat the CUP costs as part of doing business.

[Tannerk818]

Ok so when looking for an office I should ask the landlord if it will be okay to do FFL business at the location. If they say ok I will have the office and then the business name issued by the county.

-From there I will apply for the ffl through the atf.
-After submitting the ffl license to the ATF I will apply for:

1. Local Business license stating "Valid for the retail sale of firearms".(#1 this the conditional use permit?)

2. Certificate of Eligibility (COE) (get it from CA DOJ)(#2 does this get issued only after you get the FFL. If so should I wait to apply for this until after I am given an FFL?)

3. Retail Sales Permit (BOE, Board of Equalization, sales tax permit)(#3 apply after, before or after accepted for ffl?l)

4. Federal Firearms License business license, or licenses, required by local government,(#4 what does this usually consist of?)

#5 The CA DOJ centralized dealer listing is the last process? Then I will get a centralized firearms dealer number?

What numbers on the list should be applied for after submitting ffl application to the atf and what numbers should be taken care of before

And sorry I do understand the federal process I meant to say how it coexists with the state process

Also if we are not selling any guns and just doing ppt and online purchases transfers do we have to get those selling permits? for retail sales etc.?

[kemasa]

The CUP would be in addition, if required.

You can get the COE before, although it shouldn't be required to get it first. The same with the seller's permit. It might help to have as much as possible prior to applying for the FFL since then it shows that you intend to be an actual business.

The CFD is the last as you need to having everything in order to get listed.

To do PPTs, you have to have all the required state, local and federal licenses and permits, as well it is needed to be a firearms dealer to buy or sell firearms, even out of state. The FFL would get yanked if it was found that you didn't have everything to be a business, plus CA requires everything to be a dealer and that is needed for the CFLC. Transfers in to you for transfer to a local customer is considered the same as selling the firearm and often sales tax is required to be submitted.

[Tannerk818]

The CUP would be in addition, if required.

You can get the COE before, although it shouldn't be required to get it first. The same with the seller's permit. It might help to have as much as possible prior to applying for the FFL since then it shows that you intend to be an actual business.

The CFD is the last as you need to having everything in order to get listed.

To do PPTs, you have to have all the required state, local and federal licenses and permits, as well it is needed to be a firearms dealer to buy or sell firearms, even out of state. The FFL would get yanked if it was found that you didn't have everything to be a business, plus CA requires everything to be a dealer and that is needed for the CFLC. Transfers in to you for transfer to a local customer is considered the same as selling the firearm and often sales tax is required to be submitted.

So it depends on the issuing agency if a CUP will be required? I will call LA and Ventura County tomorrow or do I need to do it by the local city to get the local business license?

I think i understand the process now:

#1 Contact zoning to make sure area is ok

#2 Tell landlord and sign lease

#3 Get local business license stating valid for firearms sale on the face (This is where the possibility of the CUP will be required?)

#4 Once you get a local business license, apply for the FFL, COE, and Retail Sales Permit

#5 once that is all completed then apply for the CFD and get a number

[ugimports]

#3 is correct, they will let you know what, if any, additional licensing is required to get the business license.

The rest of the order sounds about right... The time between #2 and #4 could be a long time if CUP is involved. Our CUP required us to get original building plans from the city and produce a bunch of garbage (IMO) paperwork.

[Tannerk818]

#3 is correct, they will let you know what, if any, additional licensing is required to get the business license.

The rest of the order sounds about right... The time between #2 and #4 could be a long time if CUP is involved. Our CUP required us to get original building plans from the city and produce a bunch of garbage (IMO) paperwork.

Ok so they will let me know upfront when I am trying to apply for the local license that the CUP will be required or not required. If they say it’s required I could look for some other city and see if they don’t require it?

[ugimports]

Ok so they will let me know upfront when I am trying to apply for the local license that the CUP will be required or not required. If they say it’s required I could look for some other city and see if they don’t require it?

Yes, they should. Local zoning regs will likely tell you too. Dont rely on the person issuing the cert to be gun friendly. They may just tell you it is not allowed even though it isn't true.

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[Tannerk818]

Yes, they should. Local zoning regs will likely tell you too. Dont rely on the person issuing the cert to be gun friendly. They may just tell you it is not allowed even though it isn't true.

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Ok so if the CUP isn’t required then I won’t have to pay a major $5000 fee for anything else

If I go to a city that doesn’t require the CUP then I will just have to pay all the fees for the items listed
-FFL
-COE
-retail sales permit
-CFD

[ugimports]

Yup

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[Tannerk818]

Yup

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Regarding the landlord should I tell them that I have applied for a FFL and will be doing firearm transfers in addition to the notary services.

What would be a good way to notify the landlord about the FFL?

[ugimports]

Something like:
I would like to rent your space and I will be in the notary and firearms retail business. Can you please sign this letter acknowledging that you understand d that I will be a federally licensed firearm retailer.

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[Tannerk818]

Something like:
I would like to rent your space and I will be in the notary and firearms retail business. Can you please sign this letter acknowledging that you understand d that I will be a federally licensed firearm retailer.

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Got it. Thank you for your time. I really appreciate the advice!