Business Licensing & Operations in Meridian, ID (2026)
5 verified business licensing & operations rules for Meridian, Idaho, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Adult Entertainment
Adult entertainment establishments need a conditional use permit and must sit 1,000 feet from churches, schools, residential zones, and each other.
Meridian Adult Entertainment 1,000-Ft Rule
Significant RestrictionsMeridian City Code § 11-4-3-16
A. Separations. In recognition of Idaho Code, the following distance separations shall be required. 1. No adult entertainment establishment shall be allowed within one thousand (1,000) feet of the following: a. An existing adult entertainment establishment; b. A church or place of religious worship; c. Any youth organization, school, or school bus stop; and d. Any residential district boundary.
Tobacco Retail License
Meridian bans under-18 entry, sets an 11 p.m.-6 a.m. closure, and bars on-site food or drink sales in smoking-product consumption lounges citywide.
Meridian smoke/vape shop rules
Some RestrictionsMeridian City Code § 6-4-7
B. Prohibitions. It shall be unlawful for the operator of any property or establishment containing a smoking product consumption area to: 1. Allow any person under the age of eighteen (18) years in a smoking product consumption area. 2. Operate...such establishment between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. 3. Sell...any food or beverage for on premises consumption. C. Exemptions...shall not...
Secondhand Dealers
Anyone buying, trading, or pawning gold, silver, platinum, or palladium items in Meridian for resale needs a Precious Metal Dealer License or a pawnbroker endorsement, plus fingerprinting and detailed transaction records.
Meridian Precious Metal Dealer Licensing
Significant RestrictionsMeridian City Code § 3-9-3
It shall be unlawful for any owner or operator of premises to act as a precious metal dealer, conduct regulated transactions, or allow other persons on the premises to conduct regulated transactions, without a valid City of Meridian Precious Metal Dealer License or, with regard to pawnbrokers holding a valid City of Meridian Pawnbroker License, a precious metal dealer endorsement for a City of ...
Pawnbrokers
Meridian requires a city-issued pawnbroker license, background check, and Chief of Police approval before anyone can loan money on pledged property or buy secondhand goods for resale within city limits.
Meridian Pawnbroker Licensing
Significant RestrictionsMeridian City Code § 3-5-2
It shall be unlawful for any person to engage in the business of a pawnbroker unless a valid license therefor has been issued as herein provided and said license is in full force and effect.
Auto Repair on Residential Property
Meridian zoning bans vehicle repair as a home occupation accessory use, meaning no auto repair business may operate from a house, garage, or yard in any residential district.
Meridian Bans Home-Based Vehicle Repair
Heavy RestrictionsMeridian City Code § 11-4-3-21(C)(1)
C. Prohibited home occupation accessory uses include, but are not limited to: 1. Vehicle repair. 2. Vehicle rental. 3. Vehicle washing. 4. Equipment repair. 5. Equipment rental.
Looking for Ada County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Meridian city rules.
Business Licensing & Operations in Ada County →