Business Licensing & Operations, San Bernardino

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

Massage Establishments

Running a massage parlor or working as a massage technician in San Bernardino requires a City Clerk permit backed by a police background investigation, fingerprints and a 600-hour training diploma, on top of the city's regular business registration certificate.

Key details: Governing chapter: Municipal Code Ch. 5.20. Permit issuer: City Clerk, with police investigation. Training required: 600-hour resident diploma minimum. Relocation fee: $10 change-of-location fee. Inspections: At least twice per year.

A denied applicant may appeal in writing to the City Council under § 5.20.070(B). Permits can be revoked only after written notice served at least ten days before a City Council hearing (§ 5.20.120), on grounds listed in § 5.20.130: fraud in obtaining the license, practicing massage to arouse or gratify sexual desire, a felony or moral-turpitude conviction, impersonating another practitioner, or letting an unlicensed person perform massage in the parlor. Operators must also keep a two-year log of every treatment's date, patron name and technician, open to inspection by enforcement officials (§ 5.20.140).

Compared to other cities, San Bernardino takes a harder line on massage establishments. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Pawnbrokers

Pawnbrokers in San Bernardino must file a daily property report with the Chief of Police by noon, take pledgers' signature, address and fingerprint, and hold every item 30 days before resale. The rules sit in Municipal Code Chapter 5.56, alongside junk dealers and secondhand dealers.

Key details: Daily report deadline: Before 12:00 p.m. each day. Report covers: Prior 24 consecutive hours. Item retention period: 30 calendar days. Pledger ID required: Signature, address, fingerprint. Enforcing office: Chief of Police / Police Dept..

Failing to file the daily report, retain items for the full 30-day hold, or obtain the required signature, address and fingerprint on a pledge is a code violation. Under the citywide general penalty at § 1.12.010, an ordinance violation without a specific stated penalty is a misdemeanor punishable by up to six months in county jail, a fine up to $1,000, or both, and each day a violation continues counts as a separate offense under § 1.12.020. Signing a fictitious name on a pawn report under § 5.56.050 is independently unlawful.

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

Towing Companies

Any tow company that hooks a vehicle off private property in San Bernardino must file a tow report with the Police Department by the end of the next business day and collect a city impound-processing fee under SBMC § 10.16.290. The fee amount is set by City Council resolution and remitted monthly.

Key details: Governing section: SBMC § 10.16.290. Report deadline: End of next business day. Fee remittance: Within 10 days after month-end. Fee amount: Set by Council resolution, not in code. Recipient: City Police Department.

A tow company that fails to submit the required private-party tow report by the next business day, or that fails to collect and remit the impound fee within ten days after month's end, is subject to the citywide infraction penalties of SBMC § 1.12.010: up to $100 for a first violation, $200 for a second within a year and $500 for each further violation, with a fourth violation in the same year charged as a misdemeanor.

Secondhand Dealers

San Bernardino requires anyone running a junk dealer or collector business to get a permit from the Mayor and City Council before the Chief of Police will issue a license, and the applicant must first obtain written consent from every owner and tenant within 150 feet of the proposed location.

Key details: Permit authority: Mayor and City Council. Neighbor consent radius: 150 feet of the business site. Daily report deadline: Before 12:00 p.m. daily. Property hold period: 30 calendar days. Fictitious name/address: Unlawful under § 5.56.050.

Violating any provision of Chapter 5.56 is enforced under the citywide general penalty, Municipal Code § 1.12.010: absent a different penalty, an offense declared unlawful is a misdemeanor punishable by up to six months in county jail, a fine up to $1,000, or both. Section 1.12.020 makes each day a violation continues a separate offense, so an unreported transaction or missing 150-foot consent can compound daily. Courts may also order reimbursement of the city's investigation and prosecution costs.

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

Adult Entertainment

San Bernardino requires a city license before anyone operates a public dance hall, night club or any venue offering adult entertainment, with the City Clerk investigating every applicant through Police, Fire and Development Services before approval.

Key details: Licensing authority: City Clerk, with Police/Fire/Development review. Decision deadline: 30 days from complete application. Stage separation: 18 inches high, 6 feet from patrons. Minimum lighting: 2 foot-candles in patron areas. Hours restriction: Closed 2:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m..

Operating without a license, or violating § 5.14.020, is a misdemeanor prosecuted under § 1.12.010(A); each day of continued operation is a separate chargeable offense (§ 5.14.160). A license found in violation of the chapter, or whose holder is convicted of a qualifying sex offense, is subject to suspension or revocation by the City Clerk (§ 5.14.110), with the decision stayed pending a timely appeal.

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

The Bottom Line

San Bernardino is tougher than many cities when it comes to business licensing & operations. Out of the 5 rules covered here, 4 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in San Bernardino, 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 San Bernardino'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.