Legal Question in Business Law in California

Hello, I am looking into starting my own business as a Record Label and recording studio. I would be doing all recordings from my house. I realize there are some strict zoning laws where I live and was wondering if there was a way to run this type of business (potentially noisy) from my house, without registering my business location as a public mailbox or P.O. box.

Thank you for your time.


Asked on 1/29/10, 4:51 pm

4 Answers from Attorneys

Michael Stone Law Offices of Michael B. Stone Toll Free 1-855-USE-MIKE

Probably the neighbors will call the police with noise complaints before the zoning authorities ever find out. Use a PO box or commercial mail receiving agency. This will help you if your recording career succeeds and you are beset with crazed fans. It will also help you if your business fails and you are beset with process servers.

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Answered on 2/03/10, 5:02 pm
Terry A. Nelson Nelson & Lawless

You've got far more problems and issues than you understand. You'll need to comply with the local, state and federal filings, permits, licenses and other requirements, proper legal contracts with artists, vendors and suppliers regarding licensing and copyrights, a corporation to protect your personal assets from suit when something goes terribly wrong, etc. If you intend to operate a real business, and get serious about doing so, you're going to need legal and tax advice. Feel free to contact me when ready.

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Answered on 2/03/10, 6:12 pm
Bryan C. Becker Your Lawyer for Life.

It appears you live in Thousand Oaks. Here is a good link to start with. I suggest that you speak with a small business attorney so you can get everything set up right from the beginning.

http://ci.thousand-oaks.ca.us/government/depts/finance/business.asp

Regards,

Bryan Becker

Becker Attorneys

[email protected]

www.becker-attorneys.com

877.201.8728

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Answered on 2/04/10, 8:02 am
Bryan Whipple Bryan R. R. Whipple, Attorney at Law

About 40 years ago, there was a guy in San Francisco's Haight-Ashbury neighborhood who started and ran a very successful recording studio in his old Victorian house. He owned the house, and his neighbors were all very tolerant. Unless you are the owner of the property and have tolerant neighbors, your idea probably isn't gonna work, due to the landlord and neighbor problems - the neighbors will rat you out and the landlord will kick you out. Problems with zoning enforcement would be #3 on the list.

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Answered on 2/04/10, 10:07 am


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