Business Licensing & Operations, Ridgecrest

If you live in Ridgecrest 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. Ridgecrest has 5 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of business licensing & operations, and some of them might surprise you.

Tobacco Retail License

In Ridgecrest, Kern County, California, tobacco shops are a by-right permitted use in the CG General Commercial District, with no separate city business-license category or zoning conditions specific to smoke or vape shops.

Key details: Zone: CG General Commercial District. Permit needed: None: by-right use. Local tobacco retailer license: Not in municipal code. State retail license: Required under STAKE Act.

Operating a tobacco or smoke shop outside the CG General Commercial District, or in a zone where it isn't a listed permitted use, is a zoning violation enforceable under Ridgecrest City Code § 106-63.

If you are coming from a city with tighter rules, you will find Ridgecrest gives residents more flexibility on tobacco retail license.

Massage Establishments

Ridgecrest requires every massage/bodywork office and each individual practitioner to hold a city-issued license, renewed annually, before offering massage services anywhere in the city.

Key details: License required for: Office and each practitioner. Renewal: Annual, with a fee. Minimum training: 500 hours at approved school. Application requires: Fingerprints and photographs.

Practicing massage, or operating a massage office, without the required city license violates § 9-395(a); the city may also deny, refuse to renew, or revoke a license for disqualifying conduct listed in § 9-397.

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

Secondhand Dealers

Ridgecrest requires anyone who buys, sells, or deals in scrap metal, old bottles, rags, or other used goods to hold a city business license under the Junk Dealer classification.

Key details: Permit type: Business license, Classification G. Covers: Scrap metal, bottles, rags, used goods. Issued by: Director of finance. Unlicensed operation: Unlawful; misdemeanor for false info.

Transacting business without the required license is unlawful under the general licensing article, and knowingly misrepresenting facts to procure a license is a misdemeanor (§ 9-183; § 9-180).

Adult Entertainment

Ridgecrest requires a director-of-finance license and planning commission site-plan approval before opening an adult bookstore, theater, arcade, cabaret, or similar business.

Key details: License required from: Director of finance. Site plan approval: Required from planning commission. Minimum age: 18 years. Allowed zone: CG Commercial only, conditional use. Unlicensed operation: Separate offense each day.

Operating without a license is a separate offense for each day it continues (§ 9-231); the city council may suspend or revoke a license for fraud, misrepresentation, or gambling, liquor, or nuisance violations on the premises (§ 9-236).

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Ridgecrest actively enforces its adult entertainment requirements.

Auto Repair on Residential Property

Ridgecrest's home occupation permit rules flatly prohibit auto, motorcycle, and engine repair, body work, and painting from being run out of a house in any residential zone.

Key details: Governing section: § 106-31(a)(9)d, Home occupations. Rule: Auto/vehicle/motorcycle repair banned as home occupation. Also barred: Body, fender, and auto-painting work. Enforcement: Infraction plus public-nuisance abatement action.

Operating unpermitted auto repair as a home occupation violates Sec. 106-31 and Sec. 106-64, treated as an infraction and a public nuisance; the city attorney can seek abatement, removal, and injunctive relief in court.

Compared to other cities, Ridgecrest takes a harder line on auto repair on residential property. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

The Bottom Line

Ridgecrest is tougher than many cities when it comes to business licensing & operations. Out of the 5 rules covered here, 3 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Ridgecrest, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.

This guide is based on Ridgecrest's current municipal code. Local rules can and do change, so check the individual ordinance pages for the latest details, penalties, and FAQs.