Business Licensing & Operations in Chicopee, MA (2026)
5 verified business licensing & operations rules for Chicopee, Massachusetts, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Adult Entertainment
In the City of Chicopee, Massachusetts, adult bookstores, adult theaters, adult clubs and adult entertainment establishments are special permit uses in the business districts. The City Council can require 500 feet from residential districts, schools and parks, and 1,000 feet from other adult uses and MGL c. 138, § 12 licensees.
Chicopee Adult Use Special Permit and Spacing Rules
Significant RestrictionsChicopee Code § 275-58
(9) Adult uses. The City Council, in granting a special permit, may provide that the adult uses listed below be located no less than 500 feet from any district designated by the Zoning Ordinance for any residential use, including those residential uses allowed by a special permit or grandfathered within business zones, or any public, private or parochial school, library, park, playground, recre...
Secondhand Dealers
In the City of Chicopee, Massachusetts, no person, firm or corporation can run a shop that buys, sells or barters secondhand articles without a license under § 188-9. Dealers keep purchase records, hold each article 30 days before resale, and face license revocation or suspension, a fine up to $500 per offense, or both.
Secondhand Dealer Licensing in Chicopee, Massachusetts
Significant RestrictionsChicopee Code § 188-9
A. No person, firm or corporation shall engage in the business of operating a shop for the purchase, sale or barter of secondhand articles without obtaining a license therefor and complying with the terms of this section. Licenses may be granted to suitable persons to be dealers in and keepers of shops for the purchase, sale or barter of secondhand articles. ... C. A dealer or keeper of secondh...
Pawnbrokers
In the City of Chicopee, Massachusetts, no one can carry on the business of pawnbroker without a license, and the Chief of Police must approve it before issuance. Section 188-12 caps interest at 18% per annum, requires written pawn agreements stating the annual percentage rate, and holds purchased articles for 30 days.
Pawnbroker Licensing in Chicopee, Massachusetts
Significant RestrictionsChicopee Code § 188-12
A. No person shall carry on the business of pawnbroker without first obtaining a license. The license fee shall be as set by the City Council.[1] Such licenses must be approved by the Chief of Police prior to the issuance. (See MGL c. 140, §§ 70 to 84, inclusive.) ... B. No pawn broker in the City of Chicopee shall charge interest on loaned moneys, as a result of a pawning agreement or otherwis...
Auto Repair on Residential Property
In the City of Chicopee, Massachusetts, § 275-51 bars owners of residentially zoned land from allowing motor vehicle repair or auto body repair on the property. Routine maintenance the Building Commissioner finds no more disruptive than a normal residential district is excluded, spray painting and bottled-gas welding are banned, and only one unregistered operable vehicle is allowed.
Home Auto Repair Limits in Chicopee Residential Zones
Significant RestrictionsChicopee Code § 275-51
A. No owner of residentially zoned land shall permit his property to be used for the purpose of motor vehicle repair, auto body repair, storage or repair of stock cars used for racing, storage of tractor-towed trailers or storage of construction or any other equipment not used as an accessory use for the maintenance of property. B. Excluded are maintenance and general repairs to motor vehicles ...
Towing Companies
In the City of Chicopee, Massachusetts, a towing service based in the city cannot operate without a special permit issued by the City Council. Chicopee Code § 275-58 adds storage capacity, parking, fencing, lighting and record-keeping duties, and the Building Commissioner collects fines under the Zoning Ordinance.
Chicopee Towing Company Special Permit and Yard Rules
Significant RestrictionsChicopee Code § 275-58
(7) Towing and storage of motor vehicles. ... (b) No towing service based in the City of Chicopee shall operate without a special permit issued by the City Council. (c) All existing towing services conducting business within the City of Chicopee shall be exempt from the provisions of this subsection if they are legally in existence at the time of adoption of this subsection. (d) All towing serv...