Business Licensing & Operations in Modesto, CA (2026)
8 verified business licensing & operations rules for Modesto, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Adult Entertainment
Every adult-oriented business in Modesto needs a Police Chief-issued regulatory permit before opening, and new locations must sit at least 500 feet from another adult business and 300 feet from any religious facility, school, park, or residential zone. Operating without a permit is unlawful under Modesto Code of Ordinances § 5-9.103.
Modesto Adult Business Permit and Spacing Rules
Significant RestrictionsModesto Code of Ordinances § 5-9.103
(a)All adult-oriented businesses are subject to the adult-oriented business regulatory permit requirements, the adult-oriented business performer permit requirements, the adult-oriented business non-performer permit and/or other permit requirements of this chapter as well as all other applicable ordinances of the City and the laws of the State of California.(b)It shall be unlawful for any perso...
Massage Establishments
Modesto requires every person performing massage for compensation to hold a current California Massage Therapy Council (CAMTC) certificate under Code Section 5-2.201, and every massage business to hold a City Business License under Section 5-2.203. Massage may only be performed between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m., per Section 5-2.106(B).
Massage Therapists Need CAMTC Card and City License
Significant RestrictionsModesto Code of Ordinances §§ 5-2.106(B), 5-2.201(A), 5-2.203
A.It shall be unlawful for any person to perform or engage in the practice of massage for compensation within the City unless that person possesses a current, valid, unsuspended and unrevoked CAMTC certificate. ... It shall be unlawful for any person or massage business to conduct massage for compensation within the City without first obtaining a valid City Business License pursuant to Modesto ...
Tattoo & Body Modification
Modesto classifies tattoo and piercing shops as "body art studios" within the Personal Services land use category. They are permitted by right in the MU-P, MU-H, P-O, C-1, C-2, C-3, C-M, M-1 and M-2 zones under Table 3.1-1, but barred outright from the R-1, R-2 and R-3 residential zones. A City business license is also required before opening.
Modesto Zones Tattoo Studios as Personal Services
Some RestrictionsModesto Code of Ordinances § 10-2.179 (Services, Personal); Table 3.1-1, § 10-3.101; § 6-1.103 (License Required)
Services intended to meet personal needs of individuals. Examples of these establishments and personal services include but are not limited to: barber shops, beauty shops, body art studios (tattoos, piercings), dry cleaners (limited equipment), instructional studios (art, dance, drama, gymnastics, martial arts, music), interior decorators, laundromats, lock smiths, pet grooming, photography stu...
Tobacco Retail License
Modesto requires every Smoke Shop, including vape and e-cigarette retailers meeting the definition, to hold a Smoke Shop Permit from the Chief of Police under Code Section 4-24.103, on top of a City business license. Citywide permits are capped at one per 25,000 residents, with no more than two shops per Council District.
Smoke Shop Permit Capped at 1 per 25,000 Residents
Significant RestrictionsModesto Code of Ordinances §§ 4-24.103, 4-24.104
(a)All Smoke Shops must obtain a Smoke Shop Permit prior to commencing operations, in addition to a City business license and any other permit, licenses, or approval required by the City, State, or other public agency.(b)The total number of Smoke Shop Permits within the City shall be limited to one (1) per twenty-five thousand (25,000) residents in the City. ... No Smoke Shop Permit may be issu...
Secondhand Dealers
Modesto requires anyone buying, selling, or trading secondhand jewelry and precious metals to get a Police Chief license, report every transaction daily, and hold each item untouched for 30 days. The license can be forfeited for a stolen-property conviction or for dealing with minors or intoxicated sellers under Modesto Code of Ordinances § 6-5.01.
Modesto Secondhand Jewelry Dealer License and Hold
Significant RestrictionsModesto Code of Ordinances § 6-5.01
It shall be unlawful for any person either as principal, agent, servant or employee to engage in, carry on, operate, manage or conduct within the City of Modesto the business of secondhand jewelry dealer unless such person or the principal or employer of such agent, servant or employee shall first have procured a license to do so as herein specified.
Pawnbrokers
Modesto taxes every pawnshop or pawnbroker operator $16 a quarter under a specific line item in the business license chapter, on top of the general license-application, posting, and non-transfer rules every licensed business must follow. The Finance Director can revoke the license after six months of unpaid taxes or unfiled reports.
Modesto Pawnbroker License Tax and Rules
Some RestrictionsModesto Code of Ordinances § 6-1.222
6-1.222 - Pawnshop. Every person conducting, carrying on or managing a pawnshop or acting as pawnbroker, shall pay a license tax in the sum of sixteen dollars ($16.00) per quarter.
Auto Repair on Residential Property
Modesto's home occupation rules flatly exclude on-site vehicle repair from the businesses a resident may run out of a dwelling. Separately, the City requires every auto repair shop to operate from a Planning Department-approved location, not as a mobile or door-to-door service.
Modesto Bars Auto Repair as a Home Business
Heavy RestrictionsModesto Code of Ordinances § 10-3.207(b)(1); § 6-9.104(d)
(b)The following are not permitted as home occupations:(1)On site vehicle repair. [Sec. 6-9.104(d):] The business of auto repair shall only be conducted at a location approved by the Planning Department and shall not be operated as a mobile business that goes house to house or building to building.
Towing Companies
Modesto treats non-consensual vehicle towing as a public utility. Nobody may run a non-consensual tow business in the city without a franchise agreement approved by the City Council and signed by the City Manager, under Modesto Code of Ordinances Chapter 10 of Title 3.
Modesto Requires a Non-Consensual Towing Franchise
Significant RestrictionsModesto Code of Ordinances § 3-10.01 and § 3-10.02
The Council finds that non-consensual towing, defined as towing of vehicles in circumstances not requiring their owners' consent, is a public utility within the meaning of Title 11, Chapter 2, of this Code. ... It shall be unlawful for any person to engage in the business of non-consensual towing within the City, unless such person is an employee or agent of the City, or is a party (or the agen...
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