Business Licensing & Operations in Monterey, CA (2026)
7 verified business licensing & operations rules for Monterey, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Adult Entertainment
Monterey confines adult bookstores and adult movie theaters to sites at least 1,000 feet from any residential district, from schools, religious assembly facilities that teach minors, and parks, and 1,000 feet from any other adult business, under Monterey City Code § 38-33(I)(2). The code also bars public display of sexually explicit material visible from outside the building.
Monterey Adult Business Location Rules
Significant RestrictionsMonterey City Code § 38-33(I)(2), (I)(3)
2. Location of Adult Businesses.No adult businesses, including adult bookstores and adult movie theaters, shall be located: a.within 1,000 feet of any R district; b.within 1,000 feet of the boundaries of a parcel of a real property site occupied by a public or private school, a religious assembly facility that conducts religious education classes for minors, or a park and recrea...
Massage Establishments
Operating a massage establishment in Monterey requires a City permit from the Police Chief in addition to state CAMTC certification, under City Code § 7-3.03(a). The permit regime layers fingerprinting, criminal-history screening and annual renewal on top of the state certification individual massage therapists and practitioners already carry.
Monterey Massage Establishment Permit
Significant RestrictionsMonterey City Code § 7-3.03(a)
a.Except as otherwise provided in Section 7-3.04, it shall be unlawful for any person to own or operate a massage establishment in the City without first having obtained a permit to conduct such business pursuant to this Article.
Tattoo & Body Modification
Monterey folds tattoo parlors into its general business health permit rather than a standalone body-art ordinance. Anyone operating a tattoo parlor, along with public laundries, barbershops, beauty shops or bathhouses, must secure a health permit before opening under City Code § 7-1.01(b). The County Department of Public Health's appointed representative reviews and enforces the requirement, and operating without the permit is a misdemeanor.
Monterey Tattoo Parlor Health Permit
Some RestrictionsMonterey City Code § 7-1.01(b)
No person, whether principal or agent, shall engage in the business of a public laundry, barbershop, laundromat, beauty shop, bathhouse or tattoo parlor without first obtaining a health permit.
Tobacco Retail License
Selling tobacco, e-cigarettes or vape products in Monterey requires a City tobacco retailer license for every fixed location under City Code § 7-2.02. The license must be obtained before retailing begins, displayed publicly, and renewed annually; violations trigger escalating suspensions of 60, 120 and 180 days before a fourth offense within five years brings a five-year revocation.
Monterey Tobacco Retailer License
Significant RestrictionsMonterey City Code § 7-2.02(a)-(b)
a.Any person who is or intends to become a tobacco retailer shall obtain pursuant to this Article a license for each fixed location at which tobacco retailing is to occur. ... b.Any person who is a tobacco retailer as of the effective date of the ordinance enacting this Article shall obtain a license within ninety (90) days of the effective date of the ordinance that enacted this Article.
Secondhand Dealers
Employees and agents of secondhand dealers in Monterey must individually secure a Police Department permit before buying, trading or accepting transfer of used goods, under City Code § 7-5.00(a). The ordinance also locks purchased property inside City limits, or within five miles of it, for the thirty-day hold period state law already requires.
Monterey Secondhand Dealer Permit
Significant RestrictionsMonterey City Code § 7-5.00(a)
a.No person, firm, corporation, partnership, or other legal entity doing business as a “secondhand dealer” as that term is defined in California Business and Professions Code Section 21626 shall allow any agent, employee, or other person to purchase, trade, or otherwise transfer legal ownership of any “tangible personal property” as defined in California Business and Professions Code Section 21...
Pawnbrokers
Monterey requires every pawnbroker to hold a City business license, and no license issues unless the Chief of Police first investigates the applicant's criminal record, takes fingerprints, and approves. The Chief can deny on public-safety grounds, and the Finance Director administers the application.
Pawnbroker Licensing in Monterey
Significant RestrictionsMonterey City Code §§ 24-2, 24-4
No person, firm or corporation shall carry on the business of a pawnbroker, unless he has a valid and subsisting business license issued by the City pursuant to Monterey City Ordinance No. 692 C.S., entitled in part "Business License Ordinance," as the same exists at the time of enactment of this ordinance or as may be hereinafter amended, and for which all required fees have been paid. ... No ...
Auto Repair on Residential Property
Monterey's home-occupation rule lets residents run minor businesses from their houses, but City Code Section 38-108(C) flatly bans vehicle storage, dismantling, installation, manufacture, repair or service as a home occupation anywhere in the city. Running a repair shop or vehicle sales operation from a residence violates the zoning code even with a home business license.
Monterey Bars Auto Repair As Home Business
Heavy RestrictionsMonterey City Code § 38-108(C)
A. Purpose.The purpose of the home occupation provision is to allow for minor business activities in residences in such a manner that is compatible with their neighborhood. ... C. Prohibited Uses.The following uses and activities are prohibited as home occupations. This list, from time to time, may be increased with additional classifications which are found by the Community Development Directo...
Looking for Monterey County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Monterey city rules.
Business Licensing & Operations in Monterey County →