Board Authority and Administrative Structure
Establishes the authority, responsibilities, organizational structure, and regulatory purpose of the San Andreas Beneficent Board for Businesses.
SABBB / Board introduction
The SABBB, aka The San Andreas Beneficent Board for Businesses, is a government entity that is the oversight for businesses and the economy for the state of San Andreas. Within the board, every member is a BBB representative assigned to the official businesses of San Andreas as well as a member of one of our two subdivisions, the Events Team and the Economy Team.
Direct linkBusiness Representatives
Employees of the BBB that will be in charge of making sure a business is adhering to the guidelines and regulations while also being the point of contact for the business if they have any concerns, queries, complaints, etc. and will then redirect to the BBB Directors when necessary. Along with this, they will be the individuals collecting from each business the appropriate taxes.
Direct linkEvents Team
Employees of the BBB that will be responsible for planning and executing of immersive, smooth, and exciting events by both hosting events and assisting events hosted by community members of the state of San Andreas.
Direct linkEconomy Team
Employees of the BBB that focus on the state of the overall economy and will be the main force of establishing a balanced system for existing products and services as well as anything new in terms of pricing when applicable. Their goal will always be to ensure that balance comes first and foremost.
Direct linkBBB regulatory authority
The BBB is entrusted with the duty of ensuring the businesses of San Andreas are run efficiently and consistently that is befitting to the rest of the state’s population. As such, the board does have guidelines and regulations for these businesses to follow as needed to ensure the expectations are met. However, and this must be stressed, just because these guidelines are in place, it does not mean it is black and white. Communication between the businesses and the BBB have absolute precedence over anything written here to benefit what may be needed on a case-by-case basis.
Direct linkBusiness Licensing and Ownership
Establishes requirements governing business applications, licensing, ownership eligibility, and responsibilities associated with operating an official business.
Business Ownership
To become an owner of a business for San Andreas, you will need to apply via a business work order (business ticket) with a business proposal. You can type it out, submit a graphic, use a google doc, etc. The team will then select the applicant deemed best fit to run a business or just decide whether you should run the business or not if you’re the only applicant. If selected, there will be a business license fee paid with in-city money. In regards to official businesses, you may only own one business, however you may be a member of upper management (excluding owner and co-owner). Keep in mind that if you aren’t keeping up with your own business’ responsibilities, the BBB may be liable to investigate and potentially seize the business.
Direct linkBusiness Owner Expectations
To start, the BBB understands 100% that you as an owner have a life outside of a business. If there is ever an instance where your life has issues that conflict with your responsibilities as an owner, please communicate with us asap to assist you in whatever you may need in order to make the situation as manageable as possible. We would love to see every business active every single day whether through you as the owner yourself or by your employees, however we would like to ensure that you as the owner are as active with the business as possible over any of your employees. At minimum, we would like an hour or two a day for 3-4 days of the week, although this can be negotiable and obviously more than minimum would be preferred. If an owner is needing to take a loa, we will need an estimated end date when submitted to your business representative. This end date can be adjusted as time progresses as long as communication is had, but for the initial submission, we do need an end date. If your end date runs for a long period of time or ends up in limbo, we may end up needing to discuss different options as to how it will need to be handled.
Direct linkBusiness Compliance and Operational Standards
Establishes minimum standards for the continued operation, maintenance, activity, and responsible management of licensed businesses.
Business Neglect
For a long time back when we relaunched the BBB, our definition for neglect was strictly defined yet was left vague, and as such it was never as strictly acted upon for one reason or another when dealing with owners actively neglecting their businesses. So, when it comes down to neglect, the important facets that we will be looking at when considering whether an owner is neglecting their business will be the following: not properly maintaining stock and equipment for the business to operate, not maintaining proper attendance and not communicating, doing only the bare minimum consistently without communicating with the BBB as mentioned above, not putting in effort to maintain a staff (this one can be situational as we know a lot of people may not want to work), and not properly paying out employees their deserved pay. All of these, whether in part or in full, can make the business be liable for seizement if we as the BBB dictate whether or not the owner is being seen as neglectful. This does not mean action will be made immediately, but communication will be made first about ensuring something changes to prevent further neglect, and only then will we move forward with action if nothing changes.
Direct linkBusiness Operations
Restaurants and mechanic shops are considered to be essential businesses for San Andreas, and as such, the BBB will not consider being on call for these businesses as being open as per our expectations. This doesn’t mean you can’t be on call for the business, but if it’s done consistently without staying open after serving the customer, there could be consequences. We recommend staying open for a minimum of 30 minutes upon any instances of opening the business, otherwise, try to redirect individuals to go to already open businesses, if applicable, instead of opening. Any other business archetypes are considered non-essential and are not required to follow the same on-call guideline, but will still need to follow the owner expectations as above. We also recommend attempting to not open similar businesses at the same exact time (aka spread out when you guys open). This doesn’t mean you can’t, but might be beneficial and courteous to your fellow businesses to allow them a bit of time for customers to go to them, especially if they’re away from the city. Lastly, if you are working as an employee of a business for an event, you are allowed to be clocked in for that event, but it is at the business owner’s discretion.
Direct linkEmployment and Workforce Standards
Governs staffing levels, management structures, employment relationships, employee rights, and compensation requirements.
Business Employment
Businesses on average can have up to 30 employees, barring some exceptions. A business will consist of 1 owner, 5 upper management (4-5 managers and a co-owner if applicable), and the rest being lower management and below. The numbers of upper management can be negotiable depending on business needs. A civilian can be an employee of multiple businesses up to 3, even if the business archetype overlaps (for example: they work at 2 mechanic shops). San Andreas is at-will employment state, which means anyone can be hired and fired for any or no reason excluding discrimination (race, sex, age, religion, color, national origin, disability, genetic information), retaliation (ex: the employee reported discrimination, harassment, or illegal activities about the business or employer), jury duty, or via a mutual agreement contract. However, employees do have the right to fair pay regardless of the time they have been hired for and in turn terminated. The business will be expected to still pay out the individual(s) earned wages.
Direct linkFinancial Administration, Taxation, and Business Accounts
Establishes requirements governing business taxation, account management, financial activity, loans, fees, and licensing obligations.
Business Taxes and Accounts
In the past, we mainly taxed businesses on profit. With the rearrangement of our guidelines, we are looking to change this. In this new iteration, we will be going off of how the bi-annual tax works and transitioning it to be done on the first Sunday (or whichever established day) of every month. Tax brackets will be based on overall account amounts upon the day of collection. All of the following will be the case if no communication is had between the business and the BBB: Businesses will have a week to pay for their taxes before a late fee is added; if it is still not paid within another week after a late fee is applied, legal action will be taken. Being late on your taxes will not mean your business will be taken unless it happens repeatedly. In the instance of a pre-paid tab, please record it separately and inform your rep upon tax day, so we may calculate your tax correctly as we won’t be taxing tabs directly. The BBB will monitor the accounts on the regular and may question any big withdrawals or deposits, so we would prefer just a small update to your appropriate rep as to what these exchanges may be to make the process as straight forward as possible. If you are seen to be moving money prior to tax collection in a large chunk without a proper explanation, it will be seen as tax evading and legal action will be taken. In regards to the overall account, we would prefer for you to use the account’s money for inventory/stock, commission payouts, bonuses, event/freelance business funding, profit collection (yes, owners can pay themselves outside of commissions, but be mindful of the amounts you take out so you don’t end up in the negative), and loans. This doesn’t mean you can’t use it for other reasons; however if you are found to be using it in ways that aren’t authorized, it may give the BBB reason to investigate and potentially seize the business. Loans will be the responsibility of the business owner to log and to collect from the individual they give it to. If the individual does not pay up for the loan, it is on the business to handle it as necessary. Lastly, a yearly license renewal fee will be required to be paid for.
Direct linkRegulatory Oversight, Inspections, and Records
Establishes the Board’s authority to inspect businesses, oversee required records and communications, and investigate potential regulatory violations.
Business Inspections
Business inspections can happen at any time by any BBB representative. These are done as casual check-ins and ensuring the building is kept up to code or even as a small inspection to ensure business owners are following the proper guidelines. You may decline an inspection, however if it is declined consistently, it may rouse suspicion among the BBB and will require us to properly investigate, which can’t be refused.
Direct linkBusiness Discords
Upon receiving a new business, the owner will be expected to create a new (or use a previously existing if applicable) discord server. When doing so, the business’s respective representative must be invited and given admin privileges. This is mainly done to ensure nothing gets deleted that might be important in case of a crash out and to ensure no meta-gaming occurs. If a representative is removed from the discord without authorization, you may be pulled into a ticket and can escalate all the way up to business removal if deemed necessary.
Direct linkCriminal Activity, Public Safety, and Business Premises
Governs criminal affiliations, unlawful activity, public safety concerns, organizational conflicts, and conduct occurring on business property.
Criminals, Gangs, and Businesses
Those with criminal records or backgrounds are absolutely allowed to not only work at a business, but be able to own a business as well. We would prefer for such individuals to not tie in their activities into their business, however that does not mean they can’t! If the BBB hears, sees, suspects, or receives info that crime is occurring at the business or is being a base for criminal activities, the business will be investigated with potential police involvement. If proof is found within the investigation, only then will the business be liable for seizement. Gangs may use the business as a front as well, however we will never allow the name of the business to be tied to a gang name or affiliation because this is meant to be something that is hidden and on the down low, not in your face about it. Business owners are allowed to contact police to receive a background check on any and all employees if they request it. If you are unable to contact an officer, please inform your rep and we will get ahold of one as soon as we are able to do so. If you as an owner are associated with an organization during your off-time, attempt your best to ensure any and all conflict involving your organization and/or any other organization is handled off of the premises (which includes the building and the lot it sits on). If conflict does arise on the premises, you and your employees are welcome to defend yourselves as needed, however we prefer utilizing any and all other options, including police involvement, to ensure safety for yourselves and any customers. If self-defense is needed, ensure you are using only legalized weapons with the appropriate license, otherwise the BBB may be required to investigate. The Business Team in tandem with the Gang Team will monitor and observe any groups with business owners to ensure a monopoly under a single organization/gang is not formed. Otherwise, there is no limitation as to how many owners can be part of the same group. If you are part of a criminal organization with multiple owners already within it, the Business Team will take it into consideration and it may affect whether your proposal will be accepted.
Direct linkBusiness Trespassing
A business has the right to deny service and trespass any individual from their business that they deem to be problematic. In the instance that an individual becomes problematic continuously, they may be permanently blacklisted from the business through communication with the BBB and police. We will need as much info about the individual as possible when the report is made, but it is not a requirement if you do not have the info.
Direct linkOwnership Transfers and Business Succession
Establishes procedures and eligibility requirements governing the transfer, succession, and reassignment of licensed businesses.
Business Transfers
When it comes to transferring your business, the BBB has a system in place in order to make it a seamless transition. To get started with a transfer, please contact your business representative. Through them, you may discuss the terms of the transfer, who you’re looking to transfer it to, and the time frame you would like to make the transfer official. Once a transfer is made, you will not be eligible to run another BBB business for 30 days. For the transfer, the BBB would prefer to vet out the candidate to ensure they are viable to run the established business (mainly to prevent an instance of transferring the business to only seize it a couple weeks later due to neglect or other circumstances), however it is not required. The new owner will be required to cover the cost of a new business license as well as agreeing to the contract. Once both of those have been done, the transfer will be official. For every business run directly through the BBB, there is a limit of 1 transfer from the original owner. Once the one transfer is done, there can not be any follow-up transfers unless discussed and authorized by the BBB Directors. Once the business is given up by the second owner, it will then go back to the BBB to be put up for application if deemed to be needed by the BBB.
Direct linkBusiness Development, Property, and Authorized Modifications
Governs initial business development, locations, vehicles, clothing, property improvements, and subsequent business modifications.
Business Construction
When selected for a business, you will be given a starting fund, a starting supply of materials or ingredients, simplistic clothing that will be discussed and agreed upon for design with our tailors (via an EUP dev), and a vehicle with a livery that will be discussed and agreed upon for design with our graphic designers (via a vehicle dev) with your business start date being the day of your grand opening (aka the first day you officially open the business). The vehicles available may vary depending on what business you may run, but a basic livery for each business vehicle should be available. After this initial set-up, a business must be owned and run for a minimum of 60 days prior to adding in any clothing, liveries, or change of location. If you receive the business through a transfer, as long as the business original start date is past the probationary period, you will not need to wait another 60 days. Locations for the business will be determined by the BBB to fit what we deem best suited for the business. An MLO will not be guaranteed due to ensuring server performance, however it will be more likely used for restaurants and mechanic shops while utilizing the beach front MLO or non-MLO set-ups for less essential shops (i.e. novelty or weed shops). For any and all changes and additions as mentioned above, they must be approved by the BBB to add and once approved, the appropriate business package will need to be purchased with a proof of purchase provided to the BBB. In the instance that you have paid for one of the business packages (excluding mlos), these packages will apply to any future business you may own if the business wasn’t forcibly seized from you (i.e. you were found to be neglectful of the business or caught doing crime through the business).
Direct linkEvents and Commercial Activities
Establishes standards and procedures governing business-sponsored events and participation in statewide community activities.
Business Events
Events for the city are usually run by community members with the assistance of our Events Team. If you are interested in running an event but don’t know where to start, please reach out to the event coordinators throughout the city. Their numbers are usually on birdy or the yellow pages. If for whatever reason you are unable to get ahold of them, please open an event work order through the discordia website. However, if you are interested in running an event without the team’s assistance, you are more than welcome to do so as needed. It would be preferred for you to contact us if that is the case just so we can add the event to the calendar, but it is not required. Anyone can run an event regardless of who you are, where you work, or what you do, and be sure to ask around and talk with anyone you can as you never know who might be able to help, whether it be through ideas, funding, supplying, or even a location!
Direct linkFreelance Business Licensing and Operations
Establishes licensing, permitting, operational requirements, and limitations applicable to independent and freelance commercial enterprises.
Freelance Businesses
Freelance businesses will have a different approach to the usual business operations as seen above. A freelance business can be anything you are able to think of as long as the resources are available within the city (and doesn’t break tos). This includes, but is not limited to: lemonade stands, car washes, journalism, private detectives, actors, musicians, and more. To get started on a freelance business, you will need to obtain a freelancing license by contacting a BBB representative. They will get with you, record your information (your name, the business name, business intention, number of employees), and will give you the license for a fee. This license, which will be tied directly to your name, will authorize the sale of the applicable product or service you are providing with your freelance business and must be renewed monthly in order to maintain this authorization. Within this system, there will rarely be any limitations for your business (certain restrictions will apply depending on the business, primarily security businesses or dispensaries due to ensuring the penal code is followed). In order to operate/sell in a public location, you will also need to purchase a business permit which will be tied to the specific location you want to sell from if it is not a privately owned location. In instances of selling on other business properties or at events, you will need the consent of the business owner or head event runner. However, keep in mind that if you do sell your business, the new owner will need to obtain a license and permit of their own. In the instance you are caught committing illegal acts under the guise of a freelance business, your license will be revoked by police and they will inform the BBB. You will have a 15 day waiting period before being allowed to apply for another license. Yes, you can even tie criminal activities into this if you know how to work the system and ensure you aren’t caught. We encourage you to utilize any and all available resources to advertise and work with other businesses, civilians, and more. Maybe even the BBB will reach out for your services if needed. With freelance businesses, you can let your entrepreneurial desires go flying wild as you have the freedom to sell, invest, expand, and more with your business. In regards to freelancing businesses, we will not be adding anything dev-wise for items, locations, etc. unless authorized by the RP Enhancement Team (aka RET), which will be handled directly through them. Lastly, ensure that you still follow all main server rules and scene limits as necessary to maintain a healthy and productive business.
Direct linkCommercial Competition and Interbusiness Conduct
Establishes standards governing competition, cooperation, resource use, and commercial relationships between licensed and freelance businesses.
BBB Businesses v. Freelance Businesses
Most importantly, regardless of which business format you are a part of, we would like to see all businesses work together and be competitive together. The main thing we don’t want to see is utilization of other businesses’ resources to benefit yourself, i.e. don’t buy food from a pre-existing business and then resell it (aka scalping). If this happens consistently, the BBB may be required to crack down on freelance business activity and be a lot more selective on who receives business licenses and who doesn’t, which we don’t want to do. With all this in mind, we wish you best of luck on all your ventures and hope for never-ending success.
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