Business Licensing & Operations, Winston-Salem

Winston-Salem maintains 88 local ordinances across all categories, and 4 of those deal specifically with business licensing & operations. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Winston-Salem falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

Towing Companies

Winston-Salem lets a city-arranged private tow company impound vehicles without the owner's consent for parking violations or obstructions, then charges owners the tower's towing and storage fees plus a separate $60.00 administrative fee before the city will release the vehicle.

Key details: Administrative fee: $60.00 payable to city. Towing/storage rate: set by city-tower arrangement. Unpaid charges: become a lien on vehicle. Reclaim window: 30 days before abandonment. Operator type: must be a 'private tower'.

Unpaid towing, storage, and the $60.00 administrative fee remain a lien on the vehicle, which stays impounded; if the owner fails to pay and claim it within 30 days of notice, the vehicle is deemed abandoned and disposed of under § 42-313.

Pawnbrokers

Pawnbrokers in Winston-Salem must obtain a city license before lending against pledged goods, post a bond, verify every pledgor's photo ID, and furnish a daily transaction record to the police chief.

Key details: License required: before starting the business. Daily records due: to police by 5:00 p.m.. Photo ID required: for every pledgor. Bond required: under G.S. 66-399. Penalty: set by G.S. 66-396.

Violating any part of § 34-19 subjects the pawnbroker to the penalties set out in G.S. 66-396, the state pawnbroker statute's enforcement provision.

Tattoo & Body Modification

Anyone tattooing in Winston-Salem must get a city license first and post a $1,000 cash bond to cover injuries from negligent work.

Key details: License required: before tattooing anyone. Bond required: $1,000 cash bond. Bond covers: injury, infection, negligence. Bond duration: 3 years past expiration. Issuing office: city revenue collector.

Operating without the required license and bond exposes the tattoo artist to the city's general privilege-license enforcement under Chapter 34, including civil penalties for conducting business without a valid license.

Massage Establishments

Businesses that hire employees or contractors to perform massage and bodywork therapy must obtain a city business permit; individually licensed solo therapists are exempt. Permitted operations cannot open between 11:30 p.m. and 5:00 a.m.

Key details: Permit required for: businesses hiring massage staff. Solo state-licensed therapists: exempt from city permit. Prohibited hours: 11:30 p.m. to 5:00 a.m.. 2nd violation in 12 months: permit revoked, business closed. Unpermitted operation penalty: $100.00 per day.

A second notice of violation within a rolling 12-month period requires permit revocation and business closure, with no similar use of the property for six months (§ 34-27(b)-(c)). Operating after revocation or without a permit draws a $100.00 civil penalty per day; the article expressly states these are civil penalties, not a G.S. 14-4 misdemeanor (§ 34-27(d)).

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

The Bottom Line

Winston-Salem's business licensing & operations rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Winston-Salem is broadly strict or permissive.

Keep in mind that Winston-Salem 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.