Business Licensing & Operations in Murrieta, CA (2026)
6 verified business licensing & operations rules for Murrieta, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Adult Entertainment
Murrieta requires every sexually-oriented business to hold a city permit before opening. Operating without one is a misdemeanor. The city manager grants, denies, suspends and revokes these permits, and applicants must clear a 1,500-foot survey of nearby schools, churches, parks and homes.
Sexually-Oriented Business Permits in Murrieta
Significant RestrictionsMurrieta Code of Ordinances § 5.16.020(A)-(B)
A. No sexually-oriented business shall be permitted to operate without a valid permit issued by the city for the particular type of business. It is unlawful and a person commits a misdemeanor if he/she operates or causes to be operated a sexually-oriented business without the permit. B. The city manager is responsible for granting, denying, revoking, renewing, suspending, and canceling sexually...
Massage Establishments
Murrieta requires every massage business and massage therapist to hold a CAMTC certificate and a city permit issued by the Chief of Police. Operating without either is unlawful, and a conviction carries a mandatory $100 fine that a court cannot suspend.
Massage Establishment License in Murrieta
Significant RestrictionsMurrieta Code of Ordinances § 5.18.040(A)
A. CAMTC Certificate required. 1. Massage therapist. Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, it shall be unlawful for any person to perform massage, whether as full-time, part-time or temporary status, as an employee, sole practitioner, or independent contractor of a massage business, or in any other capacity within the jurisdiction of the city, unless that person possesses a current, val...
Tattoo & Body Modification
Murrieta classifies tattoo parlors, body piercing studios and electrolysis shops as "Personal Services" under the development code. That use is permitted by right in the city's Neighborhood, Community and Regional Commercial zones, but a zoning clearance under Chapter 16.74 is still required before opening.
Tattoo and Piercing Shop Zoning in Murrieta
Some RestrictionsMurrieta Code of Ordinances § 16.110.020 (Definitions of Specialized Terms and Phrases - "Personal Services")
Personal Services. Establishments providing non-medical related services, including beauty and barber shops; clothing rental: dry cleaning pick-up stores and small-scale dry' cleaners without pick-up and delivery services; laundromats (self-service laundries); shoe repair shops; tanning salons; fortune telling; and therapeutic (non-sexual) massage services, body piercing, tattooing, electrolysi...
Tobacco Retail License
Murrieta requires anyone selling tobacco products or paraphernalia, including vape and e-cigarette retailers, to hold a tobacco retailer's license under Chapter 5.24. Selling without a valid license is a public nuisance, and the code bans self-service displays outside vendor-assisted sales.
Tobacco Retailer License in Murrieta
Significant RestrictionsMurrieta Code of Ordinances § 5.24.030(E)
It shall be unlawful for any person to act as a tobacco retailer without first obtaining and maintaining a valid tobacco retailers license pursuant to this chapter for each location at which that activity is to occur. Tobacco retailing without a valid tobacco retailers license is a public nuisance.
Secondhand Dealers
Murrieta's development code treats secondhand stores as a distinct retail use. Table 16.10-1 permits them by right in Neighborhood Commercial and Community Commercial zones, but the use is not listed as permitted in the city's Regional Commercial district.
Secondhand Store Zoning Rules in Murrieta
Some RestrictionsMurrieta Code of Ordinances § 16.110.020 (Definitions of Specialized Terms and Phrases - "Secondhand Stores")
Secondhand Stores. Indoor retail establishments that buy and sell used products, including books, clothing, furniture and household goods. The sale of cars and other used vehicles is included under "auto, mobile home, vehicle and parts sales."
Auto Repair on Residential Property
Running an auto repair business from home is flatly illegal in Murrieta. Section 16.60.050(L)(1) lists "automotive repair or other vehicle repair, body or mechanical" among the uses that are prohibited as a home occupation, no matter what conditions or permit an applicant might otherwise meet.
Home Auto Repair Ban in Murrieta
Heavy RestrictionsMurrieta Code of Ordinances § 16.60.050(L)(1)
L. Notwithstanding the provisions above, the following uses are prohibited: 1. Automotive repair or other vehicle repair, body or mechanical; 2. Welding or Machining; 3. Medical Clinics or Labs; 4. Animal Hospitals, Kennels and grooming facilities; and 5. Uses that require explosives or highly combustible or toxic materials.
Looking for Riverside County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Murrieta city rules.
Business Licensing & Operations in Riverside County →