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Business Licensing & Operations

Centennial's Business Licensing & Operations: The Rules That Matter

By CityRuleLookup Editorial Team

Every city handles business licensing & operations a little differently. In Centennial, Colorado, there are 2 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Pawnbrokers

Centennial requires every pawnbroker to hold a City license before opening, and bars a new pawnshop from locating within one mile of any other pawnbroker inside or outside city limits.

Key details: License required: Before operating, § 6-7-110. Spacing from other pawnshops: 1 mile minimum. Home-based pawnbrokering: Not allowed. Internet-only pawnbrokers: Exempt from mile spacing.

Pawnbrokering without a current license violates § 6-7-110; locating within one mile of another pawnbroker, other than an internet-only operation, violates § 6-7-120(a).

Adult Entertainment

Centennial restricts sexually oriented businesses to a narrow Industrial-zoned strip between I-25, Havana Street, Costilla Avenue, and Arapahoe Road, and bans them within 1,000 feet of schools, homes, parks, churches, child care centers, and each other.

Key details: Permitted zone: Industrial (I) district only. Zone boundary: I-25, Havana St, Costilla Ave, Arapahoe Rd. Buffer distance: 1,000 feet from schools, homes, parks. Spacing from other SOBs: 1,000 feet minimum. License required: Separate SOB license, § 6-2-30.

Operating outside the Industrial zone, inside the 1,000-foot buffer, or without a license under § 6-2-30 violates § 12-2-410 and is enforceable as a municipal offense.

This is one of the stricter rules in Centennial's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

The Bottom Line

Centennial's business licensing & operations rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Centennial is broadly strict or permissive.

All of the above reflects Centennial's municipal code as of our last review. If you need specifics on fines, exemptions, or filing requirements, the detailed ordinance pages linked above have the full breakdown.