Business Licensing & Operations in Fontana, CA (2026)
6 verified business licensing & operations rules for Fontana, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Adult Entertainment
Fontana bans adult oriented businesses within 1,000 feet of any residential district, park, religious institution, child care facility or school, and within 600 feet of another adult business. No more than one adult business can share a building or commercial center, sex supermarkets and sex mini-malls are barred outright, and sexual encounter establishments cannot locate anywhere in the city.
Fontana Adult Business Spacing Rules
Significant RestrictionsFontana Municipal Code Sec. 15-902
(1)No adult oriented business shall be established or located within 1,000 feet from any existing residential district, park, religious institution, child care facility, or school, as defined in section 15-901...(2)No adult oriented business shall be established or located within 600 feet from any existing adult oriented business, whether in the city, in an adjoining city or within an unincorpo...
Massage Establishments
Fontana requires a city business license before anyone practices massage or operates a massage establishment within city limits, plus valid CAMTC certification for every technician on staff. The business license department may investigate the applicant's background before issuing the license. Owners must keep two years of treatment records, display each technician's CAMTC card, and report ownership or address changes to the chief of police within 30 days.
Fontana Massage Establishment License
Some RestrictionsFontana Municipal Code Sec. 15-543
(a)It is unlawful for any person to practice, engage in or carry on the business of massagist, or conduct a massage establishment within the city, without first having obtained a business license to do so and after complying with all regulations and requirements set forth in this division.(b)Any business license issued by the City of Fontana pursuant to this chapter shall be expressly contingen...
Secondhand Dealers
Fontana secondhand stores and antique dealers must obtain a permit before getting a business license and report every item purchased, traded, or taken on consignment to the police chief by noon the next day, keeping a copy on file for three years for inspection.
Fontana Secondhand Dealer Permit Rules
Significant RestrictionsFontana Municipal Code Sec. 15-50(16)
(1)Antique dealer (secondhand store or dealers)...(16)Pawnbrokers, secondhand stores or dealers...d.Each person or business within the city, subject to this subsection, shall be issued a secondhand dealer number by the chief of police, or his designee, on or after the effective date of the ordinance codified in this article and at such time as a city business license is issued for such a busine...
Pawnbrokers
Fontana pawnbrokers need a city permit before opening and must report every item they buy, pawn, or take on consignment to the police chief by noon the day after acquiring it. The chief of police assigns each dealer a tracking number kept on file for three years.
Fontana Pawnbroker Permit and Reporting
Significant RestrictionsFontana Municipal Code Sec. 15-50(16)
(16)Pawnbrokers, secondhand stores or dealers.a.The terms "pawnbroker," "secondhand store or dealer," and "business machine dealer" are defined, for purposes of any ordinance of the city, as indicated in Financial Code § 21000, and in Business and Professions Code § 21626.b.Any person operating in such capacity as described in this subsection within the city shall report all identifiable second...
Auto Repair on Residential Property
Fontana lets homeowners do minor car maintenance in a residential zone, but real repair work or storage is capped at two hours outside a garage or a six-foot solid enclosure. Auto parts must stay inside a garage or fully enclosed structure, and no repair work or parts removal can happen in the front setback area or a corner lot's side yard.
Fontana Home Auto Repair Rules
Some RestrictionsFontana Municipal Code Sec. 16-1(b),(d),(e)
(b)No motor vehicle shall be stored or parked and no work shall be done on any motor vehicle stored or parked for a period in excess of two hours on private property in a residential zone, as such is defined by chapter 30, except in a garage or in a space entirely enclosed with a solid fence, hedge or screen each not less than six feet in height, unless such motor vehicle is then capable of mov...
Towing Companies
Fontana does not license individual tow operators to work police rotation calls; it grants non-exclusive franchises under Chapter 29, Article VII. A franchisee must hold at least 250 vehicles on an enclosed, fenced lot and cannot charge more than 115 percent of the CHP's Ontario-area towing rates.
Fontana Tow Truck Franchise Requirements
Significant RestrictionsFontana Municipal Code Sec. 29-242
Any tow truck operator that obtains a franchise pursuant to this article shall:(1)Be able to hold a minimum of 250 vehicles on its lot. Lighting shall be sufficient to afford easy visibility to all areas of the lot. The lot must be in a commercial area and be in the proper zone and located within the city's sphere of influence... (2)Have its lot completely enclosed with a minimum of six-foot fe...
Looking for San Bernardino County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Fontana city rules.
Business Licensing & Operations in San Bernardino County →