Business Licensing & Operations in Milpitas, CA (2026)
6 verified business licensing & operations rules for Milpitas, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Adult Entertainment
Adult businesses in Milpitas need a police-issued permit before opening and can only locate in the H-S, M1 or M2 zoning districts, at least 1,000 feet from any school, park, residential district or church and 500 feet from any other adult business.
Milpitas Adult Business Permit & Spacing
Significant RestrictionsMilpitas Municipal Code §§ III-4-3.010, III-4-3.020
It is unlawful for any person to engage in, conduct or carry on, or to permit to be engaged in, conducted or carried, on in or upon any premises in the City of Milpitas, the operation of an adult business unless the person first obtains and continues to maintain in full force and effect a permit from the City of Milpitas as herein required. ... (a)Adult businesses shall only be allowed in H-S (...
Massage Establishments
Every massage business in Milpitas needs both a City permit from the Chief of Police and CAMTC state certification for each technician, and can only operate between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m., a rule that has been in force since January 1, 2020.
Milpitas Massage Establishment Permit Rules
Significant RestrictionsMilpitas Municipal Code §§ III-6-3, III-6-7
Individuals. ... On and after January 1, 2020, it shall be unlawful for any individual to practice massage therapy for compensation whether as a sole provider, as an employee or rent-space therapist of a massage establishment, or in any other capacity within the City of Milpitas unless that individual obtains and maintains a valid certificate from CAMTC as a certified massage practitioner or ce...
Tobacco Retail License
In the City of Milpitas, opening a Smoke/Tobacco Shop requires a discretionary Conditional Use Permit in the C1 Neighborhood Commercial, C2 General Commercial and HS Highway Services zones under Table B.6.020-A of the Zoning Ordinance. The use is barred outright in the CO Administrative and Professional Office zone, and the Planning Commission reviews every application before a retailer can open.
Milpitas Smoke and Tobacco Shop Zoning Permit
Significant RestrictionsMilpitas Municipal Code § B.6.020, Table B.6.020-A
"P" = Permitted Use / "MC" = Minor Conditional Use Permit approved by Zoning Administrator required / "MCS" = Minor Conditional Use Permit approved by Director required / "C" = Conditional Use Permit required / "-" = Not Allowed Use CO C1 C2 HS Additional Regulations ... Smoke/Tobacco Shop - C C C n/a
Pawnbrokers
In the City of Milpitas, a pawnbroker needs a Minor Conditional Use Permit to operate in the C2 General Commercial or HS Highway Services zones under Table B.6.020-A, and is not allowed in the CO or C1 zones. In the MXD and MXD3 mixed-use zones a full Conditional Use Permit applies, and pawnbrokers there cannot locate within 1,000 feet of another pawnbroker.
Milpitas Pawnbroker Zoning Permit Rules
Significant RestrictionsMilpitas Municipal Code §§ B.6.020, B.8.020 (Tables B.6.020-A, B.8.020-A)
"P" = Permitted Use / "MC" = Minor Conditional Use Permit approved by Zoning Administrator required / "MCS" = Minor Conditional Use Permit approved by Director required / "C" = Conditional Use Permit required / "-" = Not Allowed Use CO C1 C2 HS Additional Regulations ... Pawnbroker - - MCS MCS n/a ... Use MXD MXD3 NCMU 1, 2, 3 TC 1, 2, 3 Additional Regulations ... Pawnbroker C 2 C 2 - - n/a ......
Auto Repair on Residential Property
The City of Milpitas flatly prohibits any vehicle-related use, including auto repair, from operating as a home occupation, so residents cannot run a repair shop, detailing service, or similar vehicle business out of their house.
Milpitas Bans Auto Repair as a Home Business
Heavy RestrictionsMilpitas Municipal Code § XIII-C.10.130.C.9.a-c
9.Prohibited Uses. The following uses are prohibited as home occupations:a.Adult-oriented businesses;b.Animal care and services, including pet day care for more than four household pets and/or when any of the pets are kept outdoors;c.All vehicle-related uses;
Towing Companies
In the City of Milpitas, only a tow-truck operator on the Chief Police Officer's approved list may remove a vehicle that officers order towed from a street, park or unlawful location, and the Chief can add, refuse or drop any operator from that list at his sole discretion.
Milpitas Non-Consent Tow Operator Rules
Significant RestrictionsMilpitas Municipal Code § V-100-12.09
Pursuant to the authority contained in the California Vehicle Code, any vehicle parked or left standing in violation of the provisions of this Chapter upon any street, portion thereof, in any parking lots or designated areas adjacent to or at a City Park, may be removed therefrom and stored by order of any police officer, provided signs are in place giving notice of said removal. (See Section 2...
Looking for Santa Clara County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Milpitas city rules.
Business Licensing & Operations in Santa Clara County →