Business Licensing & Operations in Mesa, AZ (2026)
6 verified business licensing & operations rules for Mesa, Arizona, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Adult Entertainment
Mesa confines sexually oriented businesses to the C-3, M-1, M-2, and PEP zoning districts and bars them within 1,000 feet of churches, schools, day cares, parks, and residential areas. Operators need a license from the Tax and Licensing Administrator, backed by a $500 application/investigation fee and $500 annual renewal fee.
Mesa Sexually Oriented Business Zoning Rules
Significant RestrictionsMesa City Code, Title 6, Chapter 16, § 6-16-12
(A)A person commits an offense if that person operates or causes to be operated a sexually oriented business in any zoning district other than the C-3 district (General Commercial), the M-1 district (Limited Industrial), the M-2 district (General Industrial), or the PEP district (Planned Employment Park) as defined and described in the Mesa Zoning Ordinance. (B)A person commits an offense if th...
Massage Establishments
Operating a massage or bodywork establishment in Mesa requires a City license under Mesa City Code § 5-12-4(B), separate from the individual massage therapist license issued by the Arizona State Board of Massage Therapy. Applications go through the Licensing Office and Police Department, and licenses run one year from issuance.
Mesa Massage Establishment License Required
Significant RestrictionsMesa City Code, Title 5, Chapter 12, §§ 5-12-3, 5-12-4, 5-12-16, 5-12-19
5-12-4: - MASSAGE THERAPISTS; LICENSING OF A MASSAGE ESTABLISHMENT AND BODYWORK ESTABLISHMENT REQUIRED; EXCLUSIONS. (B)A person desiring to conduct or operate a massage establishment or bodywork establishment must first obtain and maintain in effect an unrevoked and unsuspended license as required by this Chapter. ... 5-12-16: - TERM OF LICENSE; LICENSE RENEWAL. (A)Any license issued pursuant t...
Tattoo & Body Modification
Mesa doesn't operate a separate license for tattoo or body piercing studios, but Title 6, Chapter 17 makes it unlawful to tattoo or pierce anyone under 18 without a parent or legal guardian's consent, and that adult must be physically present for the procedure. Violators face up to $2,500 and six months in jail; businesses face fines up to $20,000.
Mesa Tattoo and Body Piercing Age Law
Some RestrictionsMesa City Code, Title 6, Chapter 17, §§ 6-17-2, 6-17-3
It is unlawful for anyone to body pierce or cause a body pierce or to place a tattoo or cause a tattoo to be placed on any other person under the age of eighteen (18) years except with the consent of a parent or legal guardian. The parent or guardian must be present at the time of body piercing and/or tattooing. Among other penalties that may apply, any person, firm, or corporation that violate...
Secondhand Dealers
Secondhand and antiques dealers in Mesa need a City license under Code § 5-7-2(C) before opening. Section 5-7-6(B) forces a police report and fingerprint on any "Reportable Transaction", an item with a serial number, an owner-applied number, a fair-market value over $100, or that qualifies as a precious item, and holds that item unaltered for 20 calendar days after the report is filed.
Mesa Secondhand Dealer License Rules
Some RestrictionsMesa City Code, Title 5, Chapter 7, §§ 5-7-2(C), 5-7-6(B)
(C)Any person who operates a business in the City as an auctioneer, pawnbroker, scrap metal dealer, or secondhand dealer must obtain a license from the Licensing Office as provided in this Chapter. A person who operates as an antiques dealer is a secondhand dealer under this Chapter. ... (B)Secondhand Dealers.(1)Reportable Transactions and Records.(a)Secondhand dealers must file a true, complet...
Pawnbrokers
A pawnbroker must obtain a Mesa business license under City Code § 5-7-2(C) before operating, on top of state law. Section 5-7-6(A) requires a police report on every pledged article and forbids selling or exchanging any pledged item until it has sat unaltered in the pawnbroker's custody for 20 calendar days after the transaction date.
Mesa Pawnbroker License and Hold Rules
Some RestrictionsMesa City Code, Title 5, Chapter 7, §§ 5-7-2(C), 5-7-6(A)
(C)Any person who operates a business in the City as an auctioneer, pawnbroker, scrap metal dealer, or secondhand dealer must obtain a license from the Licensing Office as provided in this Chapter. ... (A)Pawnbrokers. Pawnbrokers must file a true, complete and accurate report with the Police Department of each article the pawnbroker receives subject to the reporting requirements set forth in A....
Towing Companies
A tow company that hauls a vehicle from a private Mesa parking lot without the owner's consent must have a signed towing order from the property owner, or a law-enforcement request, in the driver's possession, and must immediately notify Mesa Police with the vehicle's details, under City Code § 10-9-2. Holding the car until fees are paid is separately illegal.
Mesa Nonconsent Tow Company Rules
Significant RestrictionsMesa City Code, Title 10, Chapter 9, § 10-9-2(A)-(B)
(A)No person shall tow or transport a vehicle from a private parking area without the permission of the owner or operator of the vehicle, unless requested to do so by a law enforcement agency or upon a written towing order signed by the real property owner or his agent specifying the vehicle to be towed. The signed towing request must be in the possession of the person towing or transporting th...
Looking for Maricopa County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Mesa city rules.
Business Licensing & Operations in Maricopa County →