Business Licensing & Operations in Fountain Valley, CA (2026)
7 verified business licensing & operations rules for Fountain Valley, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Adult Entertainment
In the City of Fountain Valley, California, operating a sexually oriented/adult business requires both a sexually oriented/adult business permit and a city business license under Municipal Code Chapter 4.37. Approved businesses must stay closed between nine p.m. and eleven a.m., keep out anyone under eighteen and meet detailed security and design standards.
Fountain Valley Sexually Oriented Business Permit Rules
Significant RestrictionsFountain Valley Municipal Code §§ 4.37.040, 4.37.080
It is unlawful for any person or entity to operate, engage in, conduct or carry on any sexually oriented/adult business within the city unless the owner of said business first obtains, and continues to maintain in full force and effect, both a sexually oriented/adult business permit and a business license from the city for such business. ... (a) The sexually oriented/adult business is proposed ...
Massage Establishments
In the City of Fountain Valley, California, no one can own or operate a massage establishment or outcall massage service without a city-issued permit under Municipal Code § 4.40.030. The city caps establishments at seven, requires 1,000 feet between them, and bars operation from ten p.m. to seven a.m.
Fountain Valley Massage Establishment Permit Rules
Significant RestrictionsFountain Valley Municipal Code §§ 4.40.030, 4.40.100, 4.40.110
No person may own or operate a massage establishment or outcall massage service in the city without having a current, valid city-issued massage establishment permit. ... (e) Hours of Operation. No massage establishment or outcall service may be open or operate between the hours of ten p.m. and seven a.m. of any day. All clients and visitors must be excluded from the massage establishment during...
Tattoo & Body Modification
In the City of Fountain Valley, California, a tattoo establishment needs a conditional use permit in the C1 and C2 commercial districts and is not allowed in the CP, CM or M1 districts. The rule sits in Table 2-6 of the Development Code, and the planning commission decides each permit.
Tattoo Studio Zoning in Fountain Valley, California
Significant RestrictionsFountain Valley Municipal Code § 21.10.030
TABLE 2-6 P CUP — Permitted Use Conditional Use Permit required Use not allowed Specific Use Regs. Allowed Uses and Permit Requirements for Commercial and Manufacturing Zoning Districts PERMIT REQUIRED BY DISTRICT LAND USE (1) CP C1 C2 CM M1 ... Tattoo establishments — CUP CUP — —
Secondhand Dealers
In the City of Fountain Valley, California, a secondhand dealer is anyone buying, selling or dealing in secondhand goods, and Municipal Code Chapter 4.50 requires a permit, twice-weekly police reports and three years of records. Charities, antique dealers and used-car sellers are exempt, with listed exceptions.
Fountain Valley Secondhand Dealer Permit and Reporting Rules
Significant RestrictionsFountain Valley Municipal Code §§ 4.50.030, 4.50.060, 4.50.070
(a) The term "secondhand dealer" shall mean a person, firm or corporation engaged in, conducting, managing or carrying on the business of buying, selling, or otherwise dealing in secondhand goods, wares or merchandise. ... (a) Time of Making. Every pawnshop and secondhand dealer shall on each Monday and Thursday before the hour of ten a.m. of said day, make out and deliver to the police departm...
Pawnbrokers
In the City of Fountain Valley, California, a pawnbroker needs a city permit under Municipal Code Chapter 4.50, which requires fingerprints, a photograph and Orange County references. Pawnshops report to the police department every Monday and Thursday and must hold every item thirty days.
Fountain Valley Pawnbroker Permit and Reporting Rules
Significant RestrictionsFountain Valley Municipal Code §§ 4.50.010, 4.50.040, 4.50.050
The term "pawnbroker" shall mean a person, firm or corporation engaged in conducting, managing or carrying on the business of loaning money, for himself or for any other person, upon personal property, personal security, pawns or pledges, or the business of purchasing articles of personal property and reselling or agreeing to resell such articles to the vendors or their assignees, at prices agr...
Auto Repair on Residential Property
In the City of Fountain Valley, California, vehicle repair cannot be run as a home occupation. Section 21.42.040 bars automotive reconditioning, servicing, body work and painting, engine repair for any vehicle type, and welding or machine shop work, so no home occupation permit can be issued for them.
Fountain Valley CA Auto Repair at Home Ban
Heavy RestrictionsFountain Valley Municipal Code § 21.42.040
The following uses, either by operation or nature, are considered not to be incidental to or compatible with residential activities and therefore shall not be allowed as home occupation activities: ... (4) Automotive and other vehicle reconditioning, repair, servicing (body or mechanical), painting, storage or upholstery; ... (11) Repair, reconditioning, servicing or manufacture of any internal...
Towing Companies
In the City of Fountain Valley, California, only tow companies designated by the Chief of Police as an "official police impound and garage and towing service" receive police-ordered tows. A designation lasts no more than five years, requires at least three working tow trucks, and demands a 20-minute response 95 percent of the time.
Fountain Valley Official Police Towing Rules (Chapter 4.85)
Significant RestrictionsFountain Valley Municipal Code §§ 4.85.010, 4.85.140, 4.85.180
The designation of "official police impound and garage and towing service" shall be awarded by the chief of police upon recommendation of the traffic bureau, pursuant to findings of public need from among meritorious applications who have offered the required services and facilities. Such designation shall remain in effect for a period of not more than five years. Such designation may be revoke...
Looking for Orange County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Fountain Valley city rules.
Business Licensing & Operations in Orange County →