How Redding Handles Business Licensing & Operations: A Practical Guide

Every city handles business licensing & operations a little differently. In Redding, California, 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.

Secondhand Dealers

Redding secondhand dealers and pawnbrokers are regulated primarily under California Business and Professions Code Chapter 9 (§§21625-21647) and the Financial Code's pawnbroker provisions. Dealers must obtain a state license through the Redding Police Department under BPC §21641, report every transaction to the California Pawn & Secondhand Dealer System (CAPSS) within one business day, and hold purchased property for 30 days before resale. A Redding Business License under RMC 6.02 is also required.

Key details: State Statute: Bus. & Prof. Code §21625 et seq.. Pawnbroker Statute: Financial Code §21000 et seq.. Licensing Agency: Redding Police Department. Reporting System: CAPSS - 1 business day. Hold Period: 30 days (BPC §21636).

Operating without a Secondhand Dealer license under BPC §21641 is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 6 months county jail and $1,000 fine under BPC §21645. Failing to report transactions or hold items for 30 days under BPC §21628 and §21636 is a misdemeanor with similar penalties plus license revocation. Pawnbroker violations of Financial Code §21000 et seq. carry up to 1 year county jail and license revocation by DBO. Receiving stolen property is separately chargeable under Penal Code §496 as a misdemeanor or felony. Redding can additionally fine for operating without a Business License under RMC 6.02.

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

Tobacco Retail License

Redding tobacco retailers are licensed at the state level only - the city has not adopted a separate municipal tobacco retail license beyond the standard Business License required by Redding Municipal Code Chapter 6.02. California's Cigarette and Tobacco Products Licensing Act (Bus. & Prof. Code §22970 et seq.) requires every retailer to hold a CDTFA license, and California SB 793 / Proposition 31 (effective December 21, 2022) bans the sale of most flavored tobacco products statewide.

Key details: State Age: 21 (BPC §22963 + 21 U.S.C. §387f). State License: CDTFA Cigarette & Tobacco Retailer ($265/yr). City License: Redding Business License (RMC 6.02). Local TRL: None separate from Business License. Flavor Ban: SB 793 / Prop 31 (eff. 12/21/2022).

Selling flavored tobacco in violation of Bus. & Prof. Code §22963.1 (the SB 793 prohibition) carries civil penalties of $250-$500 first violation and $500-$1,000 thereafter, plus CDTFA license revocation. Selling tobacco to anyone under 21 (Bus. & Prof. Code §22963) is a STAKE Act violation with administrative fines starting at $400 plus license action. Operating without a CDTFA license is a misdemeanor under Bus. & Prof. Code §22980.1. Operating without a Redding Business License under RMC 6.02 is an infraction with administrative penalties up to $500.

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

The Bottom Line

Redding is tougher than many cities when it comes to business licensing & operations. Out of the 2 rules covered here, 2 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Redding, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.

All of the above reflects Redding'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.