Humboldt County’s first residents hailed from the Yurok, Karuk, Wiyot, Chilula, Whilkut and Hupa tribes, among others. They settled on the coast and along the banks of the Trinity and Klamath rivers. The county was created in May 1853 and derives its name from Humboldt Bay, which was “discovered” by a sea otter hunting party in 1806 and rediscovered in 1849. Douglas Ottinger and Hans Buhne entered the bay in 1850 and named it in honor of naturalist and explorer Baron Alexander von Humboldt.
Del Norte County has been home to the Yurok and Tolowa peoples for thousands of years. Legendary explorer Jedediah Smith is credited with being the first non-native to enter the region, in 1828. Gold strikes on the Klamath and Smith Rivers in the 1850s led to the settlement of the county, which was created in March 1857. Its name, meaning “the north,” is derived from its position in the northwest corner of the state.
Business
There are a variety of resources to assist North Coast businesses with their needs. If you don’t see what you need, call BizNet at 445-9035, your local Chamber of Commerce, or one of the economic development agencies for further assistance. Chambers are listed separately on this page.
Arcata Economic Development Corp.
822-4616
100 Ericson Court,
Arcata, CA 95521
visit site
Arcata Main Street
822-4500
791 Eighth St. Suite 6.5,
Arcata, CA 95521
visit site
Crescent City Redevelopment Agency
464-7483
377 J St.
Crescent City, CA 95531
Del Norte Economic Development Corp.
464-2169
882 H St.
Crescent City, CA 95531
Eureka Main Street
442-9054
525 Second St.
Eureka, CA 95501
Eureka Economic Development Coordinator: 441-4215
Eureka Redevelopment Agency: 441-4209
- Eureka Enterprise Zone
- Eureka Foreign-Trade Zone
531 K St.
Eureka, CA 95501
visit site
Fortuna Business Improvement District
725-9261
610 Main St.
Fortuna, CA 95540
visit site
Humboldt County Community Development Services
445-7541
visit site
Planning Division; 445-7541
Building Division, 445-7245
Local Agency Formation
Commission, 445-7508
Economic Development Division/Redevelopment Agency 445-7745
Humboldt State University
Office for Economic & Community Development
826-3924
206A Siemens Hall
Arcata, CA 95521
visit site
The Job Market
visit site
Eureka: 445-6149, 409 K St.
McKinleyville: 839-6487
2755 McKinleyville Ave.
Garberville: 923-4953,
727 Cedar St.
Hoopa: (530) 625-4331
103 Willow St., Suite A
North Coast Small Business
Development Center
443-5057; BizNet: 445-9035
520 E St., Eureka, CA 95501
Crescent City: 464-2168
Northcoast Employer Advisory Council
Anne Crossan: 445-6275
Redwood Region Economic Development Commission
445-9651
520 E St., Eureka, CA 95501
Redwood Technology Consortium
Mailing address (not a walk-in office):
c/o RREDC, 520 E St.,
Eureka, CA 95501
visit site
Workforce Investment Board
441-7745
Humboldt County Courthouse
825 Fifth St., Eureka, CA 95501
visit site
North Coast Recycling Market Development Zone
Maureen Hart, Zone Administrator
822-9502
27 South G St., Arcata, CA 95521
BUSINESS LICENSES
Eureka: 441-4120
Business licenses are issued based on classification of business and number of employees. Basic fee is $55 per year plus $11.25 for each employee. Basic fee is waived the first two years for businesses in the Eureka Enterprise Zone.
Humboldt County: 476-2450
Business licenses are issued based on the classification of business. Rates range from $12 to $40.
Crescent City: 464-7483
Business licenses are issued based on the classification of the business and the number of employees. Rates start at $31 plus $10.50 per employee. Business owners are considered an employee.
Del Norte County:
No business licenses are required for operations in the unincorporated areas of Del Norte County. However, business owners who bring their services to Crescent City must acquire a Crescent City business license.
Other cities: Contact City Hall to inquire about licenses.