Business Licensing & Operations in Cleveland, OH (2026)
7 verified business licensing & operations rules for Cleveland, Ohio, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Adult Entertainment
Cleveland bans adult bookstores, theaters, cabarets and similar adult entertainment uses within 1,000 feet of a residence district, another adult entertainment use, or a school, church, library, park or playground under Zoning Code § 347.07(c). The City Planning Commission must approve or deny the location review within 30 days.
Cleveland Adult Entertainment Location Rules
Significant RestrictionsCleveland Codified Ordinances § 347.07(c)
(c) Location. Uses defined in divisions (b)(3) Adult Bookstore or Adult Video Store, (b)(4) Adult Motion Picture Theater, (b)(5) Adult Video Arcade, (b)(6) Adult Cabaret, (b)(7) Adult Theater and (b)(8) Adult Live Theater Entertainment Arcade of this section are designated "adult entertainment" uses... (1) No adult entertainment use shall be established on a lot or lots within one thousand (1,0...
Massage Establishments
Cleveland requires a $200 permit approved by the Health Officer before operating a massage establishment, plus a separate individual permit for every masseur or masseuse, under Codified Ordinances Chapter 683A.
Cleveland Massage Establishment Permit Rules
Significant RestrictionsCleveland Codified Ordinances § 683A.02 (Establishments; Permit Required)
No person shall engage in, conduct or carry on, or permit to be engaged in, conducted or carried on, in the city, in or upon any premises in the city, the operation of a massage establishment without first having obtained a permit therefor from the Commissioner of Assessments and Licenses, after approval of the Health Officer.
Tattoo & Body Modification
Cleveland requires a Department of Public Health license to operate a tattoo or body piercing establishment, under Codified Ordinances § 225.08. Annual fees run $250 for a single service, $325 for combined tattooing and piercing, and Ohio Revised Code Chapter 3730 governs the underlying health and safety standards.
Cleveland Tattoo & Body Piercing Licensing
Some RestrictionsCleveland Codified Ordinances § 225.08 (Ord. No. 1234-13, passed 10-28-13, eff. 10-30-13)
§ 225.08 Body Piercing and Tattooing Establishments; Fee (a) The Department of Public Health is hereby authorized to assess the following license fees, for licenses issued under RC Chapter 3730: Body Piercing Establishment only $250.00; Tattooing Establishment only $250.00; Body Piercing and Tattooing Establishment $325.00; Temporary Body Piercing Establishment only, under Section 225.07 $50.00...
Tobacco Retail License
Cleveland requires every tobacco retailer, including vape and e-cigarette sellers, to hold an annual tobacco retail sales license per store location, with civil fines starting at $500 and license suspension or revocation for repeat violations under Ch. 235A.
Cleveland Tobacco Retail Sales License
Significant RestrictionsCleveland Codified Ordinances § 235A.02 (Tobacco Retail Sales License Required)
§ 235A.02 Tobacco Retail Sales License Required. (a) Each Tobacco Retailer engaging in the sale of Tobacco Products shall secure a tobacco retail sales license from the Commissioner of Assessments and Licenses for each location where it sells Tobacco Products in the City before engaging or continuing to engage in such business. ... (c) No Tobacco Retailer shall sell or distribute Tobacco Produc...
Secondhand Dealers
Cleveland requires anyone buying, selling or exchanging secondhand articles to hold a $125 annual license, post a sign naming the business, and keep a numbered record of every purchase with the seller's ID copied and kept for a year.
Cleveland Secondhand Dealer Licensing Rules
Some RestrictionsCleveland Codified Ordinances § 676.08 (Duty of Dealer in Secondhand Articles; Identification Required from Seller; Records)
A person other than a scrap metal dealer, as defined in Section 676.06, purchasing, selling, exchanging, or receiving secondhand articles of any kind other than special purchase articles as defined in Section 676.06 scrap iron, and scrap metal, shall post in a conspicuous place in or upon the person's shop, store, wagon, boat, or other place of business, a sign having the person's name and occu...
Pawnbrokers
Cleveland requires every pawnbroker to hold an annual license from the Commissioner of Assessments and Licenses, post a $500 bond, and follow strict recordkeeping, hours, and customer rules under Codified Ordinances Chapter 681.
Cleveland Pawnbroker Licensing Rules
Significant RestrictionsCleveland Codified Ordinances § 681.02 (License Required; Application; Notice)
No person, firm or corporation shall engage in or carry on the business of a pawnbroker in the City until he or she has first obtained a license to engage in and carry on such business. Every license applicant shall make an application in writing to the Commissioner of Assessments and Licenses... The Commissioner shall cause notice of the filing of an application to be published in the City Rec...
Towing Companies
Every tow truck operating for compensation in Cleveland must carry a city-issued owner's license under Codified Ordinances § 677A.02, obtained from the Commissioner of Assessments and Licenses for a $125 fee plus $30 per additional truck.
Cleveland Tow Truck Owner Licensing Rules
Significant RestrictionsCleveland Codified Ordinances § 677A.02(a)
No owner of a tow truck shall permit such tow truck to be used for the purpose of towing in the City unless a valid tow truck owner's license, obtained pursuant to this chapter, has been issued and is in force for that tow truck.
Looking for Cuyahoga County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Cleveland city rules.
Business Licensing & Operations in Cuyahoga County →