Business Licensing & Operations in Compton, CA (2026)
6 verified business licensing & operations rules for Compton, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Massage Establishments
Compton caps massage establishment licenses at one per 30,000 residents and requires a Chief of Police-issued business license before any massage business may open. Operators pay a $600 nonrefundable investigation fee, must locate at least 1,000 feet from any other massage establishment, residential zone, church, school or park, and cannot operate between 9:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.
Compton Massage Establishment License Rules
Significant RestrictionsCompton, CA, Municipal Code § 9-15.3 (Massage Establishment License Required)
a. It shall be unlawful for any person to operate or allow to be operated a massage establishment in or upon any premises within the City unless a valid business license shall have been issued for such operation in accordance with the provisions set forth in this section. All massage establishments shall be required to obtain any other licenses or permits required by local, state and federal la...
Tobacco Retail License
Compton requires every tobacco retailer, including electronic-cigarette and vape sellers, to hold a Tobacco Retailer's Permit under Municipal Code § 7-23A before offering any tobacco product for sale. The one-year permit is issued by the Business and License Division, is non-transferable, and can be suspended or revoked for violations of tobacco law.
Compton Tobacco Retailer's Permit Rules
Significant RestrictionsCompton, CA, Municipal Code § 7-23A.2 and § 7-23A.4
§ 7-23A.2. a. It shall be unlawful for any person to act as a tobacco retailer without first obtaining and maintaining a valid Tobacco Retailer's Permit pursuant to Subsection 7-23A.3 for each location at which that activity is to occur... e. No permit may issue to authorize tobacco retailing at a location that is licensed under state law to serve alcoholic beverages for consumption on the prem...
Secondhand Dealers
Compton requires every secondhand dealer to obtain a City Council-approved license before buying, selling or dealing in used goods, and to furnish fingerprints for the owner and every employee who deals with the public under § 9-19.2. Once licensed, dealers must file a daily Buy-Form, hold items and observe fixed business hours under the same Chapter 9-19 scheme covering pawnbrokers, junk dealers and auto wreckers.
Compton Secondhand Dealer License Rules
Significant RestrictionsCompton, CA, Municipal Code § 9-19.2 (Licenses Required); § 9-19.25 (Other Exceptions)
Before engaging in any of the businesses defined in this section, the person proposing to enter into or conduct any such business shall obtain the license so to do required by this section, and in addition thereto, such licensee shall be subject to each and all of the terms, conditions, and provisions of this section. No such license shall be granted until an application has been filed with and...
Pawnbrokers
Compton requires every pawnbroker to obtain a City Council-approved license before opening under § 9-19.2, fingerprint everyone dealing with the public, and follow the pawnbroker-specific rules in § 9-19.18: notify the Chief of Police of any change in ownership or location, hold all purchased goods 24 hours before resale, and use only Police-approved storage.
Compton Pawnbroker Licensing Rules
Significant RestrictionsCompton, CA, Municipal Code § 9-19.18 (Rules and Regulations Governing Pawnbrokers)
The following rules and regulations shall govern pawnbrokers: a. Rules Listed. 1. It shall be the responsibility of the licensee to notify the Chief of Police in writing immediately of any change of management, ownership, or business location. 2. It shall be the responsibility of the licensee to familiarize himself and his employees and agents with all the laws, whether state or local, relating...
Auto Repair on Residential Property
Compton prohibits major vehicle or boat repair and dismantling in a residential zone whenever the work is visible from the street, sidewalk or a neighboring property, treating it as a declared nuisance under Municipal Code § 24-2.2(s). The same rule bars any vehicle or boat repair in a customer parking lot at an auto parts store, and violations run through Chapter 24's abatement and misdemeanor process.
Compton Residential Auto Repair Nuisance Ban
Significant RestrictionsCompton, CA, Municipal Code § 24-2.2(s)
Major vehicle repair and/or dismantling on any vehicle or boat in a residential zone, where such activity can be seen from the street or sidewalk or neighboring properties. No vehicle or boat repair may be conducted in a customer parking lot serving an auto parts or other store.
Towing Companies
Compton requires a towing service permit and business license before any tow operator can work in the City, plus a City Council public hearing before approval. Permittees must carry $300,000 bodily-injury and $100,000 property-damage liability coverage, store impounded vehicles behind a six-foot fence, and charge no more than the Council's fixed towing and storage rates.
Compton Tow Truck Permit Requirements
Significant RestrictionsCompton, CA, Municipal Code § 9-22.5 (Permit Required); § 9-22.8 (Storage Facilities)
All vehicles taken into custody by the Police Department must be stored in areas that are enclosed by a substantial wire fence or wall, and that have facilities for locking all gates or doors. Such fence or wall enclosures shall not be less than six feet in height, and shall be provided with not less than one gate or door of adequate width and height. The bottom edge of the enclosure structure ...
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