Business Licensing & Operations in Cathedral City, CA (2026)
7 verified business licensing & operations rules for Cathedral City, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Adult Entertainment
In Cathedral City, California, a sexually oriented business must hold a city permit and sit at least one thousand feet from another such business, seven hundred fifty feet from schools, churches, parks and residential zones, and two hundred fifty feet from East Palm Canyon Drive (State Route 111).
Cathedral City Sexually Oriented Business Permit and Spacing
Significant RestrictionsCathedral City Municipal Code § 9.82.030
The establishment of any sexually oriented business shall be permitted only in those particular specified commercial or industrial zones where such uses are permitted, and shall be subject to the following restrictions. No person shall cause or permit the establishment of any of the following sexually oriented businesses, as defined above, within one thousand feet of another such business or wi...
Massage Establishments
In Cathedral City, California, no one can operate a massage therapy establishment without a massage therapy establishment permit issued by the city, and each individual therapist needs a personal massage therapist permit for the establishment where they work. Operators and therapists who hold a state certification issued through the MTO under Business and Professions Code Chapter 10.5 are excused from the city permits.
Cathedral City Massage Therapy Establishment Permit Rules
Significant RestrictionsCathedral City Municipal Code § 5.33.030
A. A person may operate, maintain, run, or manage a massage therapy establishment only if that person has been validly issued a massage therapy establishment permit by the city pursuant to this chapter for the subject massage therapy establishment. Notwithstanding the massage therapy establishment permit requirements in this subsection, the massage therapy establishment permit requirements in t...
Tattoo & Body Modification
In Cathedral City, California, no one can run a tattooing establishment, whether in a building or a vehicle, without prior approval of a conditional use permit under the city's zoning ordinance. Extreme body modification, meaning branding and scarification, is flatly unlawful in Cathedral City for any body art facility and for any individual performing it on another person.
Cathedral City Tattoo Establishment Permit and Body Modification Ban
Significant RestrictionsCathedral City Municipal Code §§ 5.34.010, 5.34.020
It is unlawful for any person, association, firm or corporation to engage in, conduct or carry on, or permit to be engaged in, conducted or carried on, in or upon any premises or vehicle within the city, the business of a tattooing establishment without prior approval of a conditional use permit per the provisions of the city's zoning ordinance. ... § 5.34.020. Extreme body modification service...
Tobacco Retail License
In Cathedral City, California, anyone who sells tobacco products, including vapes and e-cigarettes, needs a tobacco retailer's permit for each retail location. Riverside County, not the Cathedral City City Council, takes the application and issues, renews and revokes the license. Selling without the permit is a public nuisance under Chapter 5.90.
Cathedral City Tobacco and Vape Retailer Permit Rules
Some RestrictionsCathedral City Municipal Code §§ 5.90.020, 5.90.025, 5.90.030
2. An electronic device that delivers nicotine or other vaporized liquids to the person inhaling from the device, including, but not limited to, an electronic cigarette, cigar, pipe, or hookah. ... Riverside County shall be responsible for the enforcement of the provisions of this chapter. Proprietors shall apply to Riverside County for a tobacco retailer's license and Riverside County is respo...
Pawnbrokers
In Cathedral City, no one can commence, conduct or carry on a pawnbroker business without a permit granted by the city council. The council must find good moral character, legal compliance, state and federal licensing, and a location that serves public convenience and fits the general plan. Pawnbrokers also deliver daily reports to the chief of police.
Cathedral City Pawnbroker Permit and Reporting Rules
Significant RestrictionsCathedral City Municipal Code § 5.72.010
No person shall commence, conduct or carry on any of the businesses or business activities listed in this section without having applied for and been granted a permit therefor by the city council. Permits shall be issued in cases where the council finds that the applicant and proposed participants in the business or business activity are of good moral character, and the proposed business or act...
Auto Repair on Residential Property
Cathedral City prohibits automotive repair, body or mechanical, as a home occupation. Section 9.70.030 names it, along with upholstery, painting and machinery or appliance repair, and bars any similar use not listed as permitted. Home occupations are limited to office-oriented work.
Home Auto Repair Ban in Cathedral City, CA
Heavy RestrictionsCathedral City Municipal Code § 9.70.030
§ 9.70.030. Prohibited uses. ... To add emphasis to the types of uses that are not permitted as home occupations, the following uses are specifically prohibited: A. Automotive repair (body or mechanical), upholstery and painting; ... D. Machinery, equipment or appliance repair; ... H. Any similar use and those uses not listed as a permitted use.
Towing Companies
In Cathedral City, California, only tow operators holding a nonexclusive franchise from the Police Chief join the police rotational tow list. Chapter 12.78 requires three years of towing experience, 24-hour service, a twenty-minute response, a Cathedral City business license and a nearby storage yard.
Cathedral City Rotational Towing Franchise Rules
Significant RestrictionsCathedral City Municipal Code § 12.78.060
A. As provided in the franchise agreement, a franchisee must meet the following requirements, including, but not limited to: 1. Having a minimum of three verifiable years of for-hire towing experience, as an owner or principal, prior to responding to a request for qualifications to qualify for a rotational tow listing; ... 4. Providing service calls for the police department twenty-four hours a...
Looking for Riverside County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Cathedral City city rules.
Business Licensing & Operations in Riverside County →