Business Licensing & Operations in Alhambra, CA (2026)
7 verified business licensing & operations rules for Alhambra, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Adult Entertainment
Alhambra requires a city-issued adult business permit and business license before any sexually oriented business can open, and zoning code bans locating one within 500 feet of housing, schools, churches, parks or bars, and within 1,000 feet of any other adult business.
Alhambra Adult Business Permit & Spacing
Significant RestrictionsAlhambra, CA Zoning Code § 23.22.050 (Adult Businesses)
Adult businesses shall be located, developed and operated in compliance with the standards of this section and Chapter 5.50 of the Municipal Code. (A) Locational requirements. Adult businesses shall not be located: (1) Within 500 feet of any property zoned RL, RM, or RH, or any lot where there is an actual residential use, whether inside or outside the city limits. ... (6) Within 1,000 feet of ...
Massage Establishments
Alhambra requires every massage establishment to hold a city business license, certificate of occupancy, conditional use permit, and an Alhambra massage establishment registry, and to staff only CAMTC-certified practitioners, under Municipal Code § 9.44.060. New establishments and ancillary massage service businesses have needed to comply since July 1, 2016.
Alhambra Massage Establishment Registry
Significant RestrictionsAlhambra Municipal Code § 9.44.060
It shall be unlawful for any massage establishment to provide massage services unless all of the following requirements are met: (1) All of the individuals employed by the massage establishment to perform massage are certified massage practitioners; (2) The establishment has a valid city business license under Chapter 5.04; (3) The establishment has a valid city certificate of occupancy; ...
Tattoo & Body Modification
Alhambra has no standalone tattoo or body-art license; tattoo and body modification parlors are zoned as "General Personal Services." Table 23.05.020 permits them outright in the Central Business District, East Main Commercial and Commercial Mixed-Use zones, requires a Minor Use Permit in the Automotive Commercial zone, and Table 23.06.020 allows them by right in Professional Office but bars them entirely from the Industrial zone.
Alhambra Tattoo Parlor Zoning Permit Rules
Some RestrictionsAlhambra Zoning Code § 23.43.030 (Personal Services - General Personal Services); Table 23.05.020 and Table 23.06.020 (Land Use Regulations)
General Personal Services. An establishment providing services of personal convenience to individuals as a primary use. Personal services include barber and beauty shops, permanent makeup studios, day spas, nail salons, tanning salons, electrolysis, and other cosmetic and appearance care services; shoe and luggage repair, photographers, self-serve laundry and dry cleaning pick-up, tattoo and bo...
Tobacco Retail License
Alhambra has required every tobacco retailer, including vape and e-cigarette sellers, to hold a city tobacco retailer's license since January 1, 2022. Selling without one is a nuisance as a matter of law, and the license must be posted where customers can see it.
Alhambra Tobacco Retailer License
Significant RestrictionsAlhambra Municipal Code § 5.90.020(A)
Tobacco retailer's license required. Commencing on January 1, 2022, it shall be unlawful for any person to act as a tobacco retailer in the city without first obtaining and maintaining a valid tobacco retailer's license pursuant to this chapter for each location at which tobacco retailing is to occur. Tobacco retailing without a valid tobacco retailer's license is a nuisance as a matter of law.
Secondhand Dealers
Alhambra treats a secondhand dealer as anyone making two or more used-goods sales in a calendar month, and requires a biennial city license priced off the business's average gross receipts for the prior two years, plus a state-mandated processing fee at every renewal.
Alhambra Secondhand Dealer License Rules
Significant RestrictionsAlhambra Municipal Code §§ 5.16.010, 5.16.042
SECONDHAND DEALER. A person, other than an antique dealer, as that term is defined in this section, engaged in, conducting, managing or carrying on the business of buying, selling or otherwise dealing in previously used goods, wares or merchandise, other than motor vehicles, trailers or boats, and making two or more sales of such second-hand goods, wares or merchandise during any one calendar m...
Pawnbrokers
Alhambra requires anyone running a pawnbroking business to hold an annual city license, priced by City Council resolution and due each January 1. The Director of Finance forwards every application to the Chief of Police for a background investigation before a license can issue.
Alhambra Pawnbroker License Requirements
Significant RestrictionsAlhambra Municipal Code § 5.16.030
(A) Application for a license for a pawnbroker, antique dealer, or secondhand dealer shall be made in writing to the Director of Finance and shall state the name of the applicant, the place of business and such other information as the Director of Finance may require. Upon receipt of any such application, the same shall be forwarded to the Chief of Police who shall investigate such applicant ...
Auto Repair on Residential Property
Alhambra outright bans running an auto repair or vehicle sales business from a home. Section 23.22.170(G)(1)(a) lists automobile/vehicle sales and services among the uses the code says are not incidental to or compatible with residential activities and shall therefore not be permitted as home occupations.
Alhambra Bans Home Auto Repair Businesses
Heavy RestrictionsAlhambra, CA, Zoning Code § 23.22.170(G)(1)(a) (Home Occupations - Prohibited Uses), adopted by Ord. 4823
(G) Prohibited home occupations. (1) The following specific uses, either by operation or nature, are not incidental to or compatible with residential activities and shall therefore not be permitted as home occupations: (a) Automobile/vehicle sales and services;
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