Business Licensing & Operations in Ames, IA (2026)
6 verified business licensing & operations rules for Ames, Iowa, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Adult Entertainment
In the City of Ames, Iowa, zoning code Sec. 29.1301 forbids opening or relocating an adult entertainment business within 1,000 feet of another such business, a school, a place of worship, a public park, playground or plaza, or any area zoned residential. It adds a second buffer: no such business within 200 feet of the right-of-way of any arterial street on the City of Ames Arterial Street Map, enforced by the Zoning Enforcement Officer.
Ames Adult Entertainment Business Spacing
Significant RestrictionsAmes Municipal Code Sec. 29.1301
(1) Location. (a) No person shall establish any adult entertainment business as herein defined within 1,000 feet from another such business, any school, place of worship, public park, public playground, public plaza, or area zoned for residential use. Measurement shall be taken on a direct line from the main entrance of such adult entertainment business to the point on the property li...
Massage Establishments
In the City of Ames, Iowa, massage therapy businesses must display each therapist's state license and photograph, designate a resident manager, and produce ownership and staffing records on request under Ames Municipal Code Sec. 11.9. Unlicensed practice is banned, overnight hours are restricted, and the Ames Police Department may placard a business found in violation.
Massage Therapy Business Rules in Ames
Significant RestrictionsAmes Municipal Code Sec. 11.9
Sec. 11.9. MASSAGE THERAPY ... (3) State License Required. The practice of massage therapy, as defined in Iowa Code Chapter 152C, is prohibited by unlicensed individuals. It is unlawful for a person to engage in or offer to engage in the practice of massage therapy, or use in connection with the person's name, the initials "L.M.T." or the words "licensed massage therapist", "massage therapist...
Secondhand Dealers
Secondhand dealers doing business in the City of Ames, Iowa, including any automated buy-back kiosk, must hold a dealer's permit and report every transaction to a Police-designated online tracking service within 24 hours under Ames Municipal Code Sec. 17.25. Dealers may not buy goods from anyone under 18, and antique dealers and garage-sale-type transactions are exempt from reporting.
Ames Secondhand Dealer Reporting Rules
Significant RestrictionsAmes Municipal Code Sec. 17.25(1)(g), (3)(a), (5)(b)
(g) Secondhand Dealer. Any person engaged in the business of buying or selling secondhand goods, excluding consignment of secondhand goods or the sale of secondhand goods donated without compensation. This definition shall include the use of any automated or camera-enabled kiosk used to purchase secondhand goods from a seller without the buyer's physical presence. ... (3) Records of Transac...
Pawnbrokers
Anyone acting as a pawnbroker in the City of Ames, Iowa must hold an annual dealer's permit issued by the City Clerk before lending against or buying pledged property. Ames Municipal Code Sec. 17.25 defines a pawnbroker, requires the permit be posted at the business, and lets the police chief investigate every applicant before issuance.
Ames Pawnbroker Dealer Permit
Significant RestrictionsAmes Municipal Code Sec. 17.25(1)(f), (2)(a), (2)(f), (6)
(f) Pawnbroker. Any person who shall in any manner lend or advance money or other things for profit on the pledge or possession of personal property, or other valuable things, other than securities or written evidences of indebtedness, or who deals in the purchasing of personal property or other valuable things on condition of selling the same back to the seller at a stipulated price. ... (2)...
Auto Repair on Residential Property
In the City of Ames, Iowa, Sec. 29.1304(6)(g) flatly prohibits repairing or painting motor vehicles, including motorcycles and boats, or any trailer, semitrailer, recreational vehicle, mobile home, commercial vehicle or similar equipment, as a Home Occupation. The listed ban sits among other outright-prohibited home business types such as welding shops, towing, and equipment rental.
Ames Home-Based Auto Repair Ban
Heavy RestrictionsAmes Municipal Code Sec. 29.1304(6)(g)
(6) Prohibited Uses. In addition to Home Occupations that do not comply with the criteria, the following uses are prohibited for Home Occupations: ... (g) Repair or painting of motor vehicles (including motorcycles and boats) or of any trailer, semitrailer, recreational vehicle, mobile home, commercial vehicle, equipment, etc.
Towing Companies
In the City of Ames, Iowa, Ames Municipal Code Sec. 18.19 lets a commercial, institutional or multi-unit lot owner have an unauthorized vehicle towed only after posting entrance signage and co-signing the tow authorization; the towing company must report the tow to the Ames Police Department within two hours. Skipping these steps is a municipal infraction starting at $50.
Ames Non-Consent Private Property Tow Rules
Significant RestrictionsAmes Municipal Code Sec. 18.19
(3) When towing any vehicle parked in a commercial, institutional or multi-unit residential parking lot, the following requirements apply: (a) The lot shall be posted at each entrance with clearly visible signs indicating the parking restrictions applicable therein, including notice that violators may be towed, and (b) The property owner or owner’s agent or other party initiating a tow sh...
Looking for Story County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Ames city rules.
Business Licensing & Operations in Story County →