Business Licensing & Operations in Cleveland, OH

Cleveland maintains 147 local ordinances across all categories, and 7 of those deal specifically with business licensing & operations. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Cleveland falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

Tattoo & Body Modification

Cleveland requires a Department of Public Health license to operate a tattoo or body piercing establishment, under Codified Ordinances § 225.08. Annual fees run $250 for a single service, $325 for combined tattooing and piercing, and Ohio Revised Code Chapter 3730 governs the underlying health and safety standards.

Key details: Tattooing-only license fee: $250.00 per year. Body piercing-only license fee: $250.00 per year. Combined establishment fee: $325.00 per year. Temporary combined license: $75.00 per day. Annual license expiration: December 31st every year.

Operating a body piercing or tattooing establishment in Cleveland without the Department of Public Health license required by § 225.08, or violating any Ohio Revised Code Chapter 3730 standard or rule incorporated by reference, is a violation of the Codified Ordinances that the Director of Law may prosecute. The Chapter sets the penalty for these violations at whatever is established under RC 3730.99, the state statute's own penalty section, rather than a separate city fine schedule.

Tobacco Retail License

Cleveland requires every tobacco retailer, including vape and e-cigarette sellers, to hold an annual tobacco retail sales license per store location, with civil fines starting at $500 and license suspension or revocation for repeat violations under Ch. 235A.

Key details: License issued by: Commissioner of Assessments and Licenses. License term: Expires December 31 annually. First violation fine: $500. Second violation: $750 + 7-day suspension. Third violation: $1,000 + 30-day suspension.

Under § 235A.07(a), fines run on a rolling 36-month lookback: $500 for a first violation, $750 plus a 7-day license suspension for a second, $1,000 plus a 30-day suspension for a third, and $1,000 plus outright license revocation for a fourth and each violation after that. All tobacco products must be removed from the premises upon suspension or revocation, or the retailer faces a separate $500-per-day fine for noncompliance (§ 235A.07(d)). Written violation notices go out within 30 days and may be appealed to the Director within 20 days, with further appeal to the Board of Zoning Appeals within 30 days of the Director's decision (§ 235A.07(b)). Selling without a valid license, failing to pay fines, or providing false application information can also trigger denial, suspension, or revocation by the Commissioner of Assessments and Licenses (§ 235A.07(c)).

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

Towing Companies

Every tow truck operating for compensation in Cleveland must carry a city-issued owner's license under Codified Ordinances § 677A.02, obtained from the Commissioner of Assessments and Licenses for a $125 fee plus $30 per additional truck.

Key details: License required: Yes, per tow truck, § 677A.02. Original license fee: $125. Additional truck fee: $30 each. License term: 2 years, expires Sept. 30 odd years. Liability insurance: $100,000 garagekeepers / $300,000 general.

A violation of any provision in Chapter 677A is a second-degree misdemeanor under § 677A.99, punishable by a fine of up to $750, up to 90 days in jail, or both, with each consecutive day of violation charged as a separate offense. The Commissioner of Assessments and Licenses may also deny, suspend or revoke the tow truck owner's license under § 677A.07.

Compared to other cities, Cleveland takes a harder line on towing companies. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Secondhand Dealers

Cleveland requires anyone buying, selling or exchanging secondhand articles to hold a $125 annual license, post a sign naming the business, and keep a numbered record of every purchase with the seller's ID copied and kept for a year.

Key details: Annual license fee: $125.00. License year: October 1 – September 30. Record retention: 1 year minimum. Licensing authority: Commissioner of Assessments and Licenses. First-offense penalty: 4th-degree misdemeanor.

Failing to license, post the required sign, or keep the § 676.08 purchase records is a misdemeanor under § 676.99(a): fourth degree on a first offense, third degree on a second offense, and first degree on a third or later offense, with each day of noncompliance a separate offense; an organization that violates faces the same escalating degrees plus fines under § 601.99(c).

Adult Entertainment

Cleveland bans adult bookstores, theaters, cabarets and similar adult entertainment uses within 1,000 feet of a residence district, another adult entertainment use, or a school, church, library, park or playground under Zoning Code § 347.07(c). The City Planning Commission must approve or deny the location review within 30 days.

Key details: Buffer from residence districts: 1,000 feet. Buffer between two adult uses: 1,000 feet. Buffer from schools/churches/parks: 1,000 feet. Same-lot rule: No two adult uses on one lot. Permit review deadline: 30 calendar days.

An adult entertainment use sited within any of the § 347.07(c) buffers, or one that displays sexually explicit material visible from the street or another property, violates the Zoning Code and is enforced under § 327.99 as a first-degree misdemeanor, with each day of noncompliance a separate offense. The Department of Building and Housing and the City Planning Commission review permit applications for compliance before any certificate of occupancy issues.

Compared to other cities, Cleveland takes a harder line on adult entertainment. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Pawnbrokers

Cleveland requires every pawnbroker to hold an annual license from the Commissioner of Assessments and Licenses, post a $500 bond, and follow strict recordkeeping, hours, and customer rules under Codified Ordinances Chapter 681.

Key details: License authority: Commissioner of Assessments and Licenses. Annual fee: $5.00, expires Sept. 30. Bond required: $500 with the Director of Law. Interest cap: 1%/month plus 0.5%/month storage. Hold before sale: 24 hours after daily report.

Under Section 681.99, a first offense is a third-degree misdemeanor fined at least $100; a second offense is a second-degree misdemeanor fined at least $100; a third and each later offense is a first-degree misdemeanor fined at least $100. Section 681.14 also directs the Commissioner of Assessments and Licenses to revoke the license of any pawnbroker convicted of violating this chapter or any state pawnbroker statute.

Compared to other cities, Cleveland takes a harder line on pawnbrokers. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Massage Establishments

Cleveland requires a $200 permit approved by the Health Officer before operating a massage establishment, plus a separate individual permit for every masseur or masseuse, under Codified Ordinances Chapter 683A.

Key details: Establishment permit fee: $200, non-refundable. Permit authority: Commissioner, with Health Officer approval. Agencies that must inspect: Fire, Health, Building, Police. Permit term: 1 year unless revoked. Disqualifying record lookback: 5 years.

Section 683A.99 makes it a first-degree misdemeanor for anyone, whether owner, employee, helper, or participant, to give massages or operate a massage establishment without first obtaining the required permit and paying the license fee, or to otherwise violate any provision of the chapter. Section 683A.06(b) also allows suspension of up to 30 days for a first employee violation, with subsequent violations grounds for suspension or outright revocation of the establishment's permit.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Cleveland actively enforces its massage establishments requirements.

The Bottom Line

Cleveland is tougher than many cities when it comes to business licensing & operations. Out of the 7 rules covered here, 5 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Cleveland, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.

These rules come from Cleveland's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.