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

If you live in Elizabeth or are thinking about moving there, business licensing & operations are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Elizabeth has 4 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of business licensing & operations, and some of them might surprise you.

Massage Establishments

Elizabeth requires a separate license for every massage business premises and for each individual masseur or masseuse, issued by the supervisor of licenses. Establishment licenses cost $1,000 a year, individual licenses cost $250, and both are due every February 1st.

Key details: Establishment license fee: $1,000.00 annually. Individual license fee: $250.00 annually. License renewal date: Due February 1st each year. Opposite-sex treatment: Prohibited outside airport/mall. Licensing office: Supervisor of licenses.

Operating a massage business or working as a masseur or masseuse without the required license from the supervisor of licenses violates Sections 5.56.010 and 5.56.020, and the supervisor can refuse to issue or renew any license tied to an applicant with a criminal record or other evidence of bad moral character under Section 5.56.050. Treating a client of the opposite sex outside the airport and mall exception also violates the chapter.

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

Tobacco Retail License

Elizabeth requires a tobacco business license from the bureau of central licensing before any smoke shop can sell tobacco, e-cigarettes, or paraphernalia. New shops must apply within sixty days of the chapter taking effect or stop operating.

Key details: Initial application fee: $250.00, non-refundable. Annual license fee: $350.00, Dec. 1-Nov. 30 term. Distance from other smoke shops: 1,500 feet minimum. Distance from schools/parks/worship: 200 feet minimum. Allowed operating hours: 9 a.m.-10 p.m. Mon-Sat, noon-10 p.m. Sun.

Operating a smoke shop without a tobacco business license, or violating any Chapter 5.94 requirement, is punishable under § 5.94.150 by a fine of $500.00 to $2,000.00, imprisonment in the county jail, or up to ninety days of community service, with each day of violation a separate offense. Licenses can also be suspended or revoked under § 5.94.130.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Elizabeth actively enforces its tobacco retail license requirements.

Towing Companies

Elizabeth requires every private-property tower to hold an annual mercantile license, cap towing fees at $100 to $400 by vehicle weight, post warning signs at every lot, and get police clearance before hooking a vehicle. The chief license inspector can suspend or revoke a tower's license after a hearing.

Key details: Mercantile license fee: $300/year tower, $60/tow truck. Max tow fee: $100-$400 by vehicle weight. Storage facility distance: Within 1 mile of city. Insurance required: $1M liability, $1M property damage. Vehicle release hours: 7:00 a.m. to 11:59 p.m..

A tower found violating this chapter can have its mercantile license suspended or revoked after a hearing before the chief license inspector, and separately faces up to 90 days in the county jail or a fine up to $1,000.00, or both, with each day of a continuing violation counted as a separate offense (Section 5.51.100).

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

Secondhand Dealers

Elizabeth requires anyone buying and reselling secondhand goods to hold two separate licenses, a premises license for the location and an individual license for every person who handles transactions, issued by the chief license inspector under Code Section 5.88.040.

Key details: Premises license fee: $200, non-refundable. Individual license fee: $100, non-refundable. Surety bond: $10,000, premises license only. Cash transaction limit: 2 per 7 days, 5 per 30 days. License term: Expires December 31 each year.

Operating as a secondhand dealer or employee without the required license, or violating any other provision of Chapter 5.88, is punishable under Section 5.88.170 by a fine of $500 to $2,000, up to ninety days in county jail or community service, or both, at the municipal judge's discretion. Each day a violation continues counts as a separate offense.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Elizabeth actively enforces its secondhand dealers requirements.

The Bottom Line

Elizabeth is tougher than many cities when it comes to business licensing & operations. Out of the 4 rules covered here, 4 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Elizabeth, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.

Keep in mind that Elizabeth can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.