Business Licensing & Operations in Palm Springs, CA (2026)
6 verified business licensing & operations rules for Palm Springs, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Adult Entertainment
Palm Springs requires every adult-oriented business to hold a city business license before opening, and the Finance and Treasury Director can only issue one if the site sits at least 600 feet from parks, schools, day cares, youth centers and active religious institutions. Businesses are also restricted to the C-M, M-1, M-1-P and M-2 zones and barred from operating between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m.
Palm Springs Adult-Oriented Business Rules
Significant RestrictionsPalm Springs, CA, Municipal Code § 5.77.015 (Permit Required); § 5.77.025(a)(3) (Findings/Requirements, 600-Foot Buffer)
No adult-oriented business shall be permitted to operate, engage in, conduct or carry on business within the city unless the owner of the business first obtains a business license from the city of Palm Springs. ... The adult-oriented business shall not be located ... within 600 feet of any lot upon which there is properly located a public park, public playground, school, day care/childcare cent...
Massage Establishments
Palm Springs requires a City Manager-issued massage establishment permit for every business location under Section 5.34.040, plus a CAMTC certificate for every massagist and a separate business license. Massage businesses may only operate between 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m., and alcohol is banned on the premises.
Palm Springs Massage Establishment Permit
Significant RestrictionsPalm Springs, CA, Municipal Code § 5.34.040
(a) Massage Establishment Permit Required. No person shall engage in or carry out the business of massage unless he or she has a valid massage establishment permit issued by the City Manager pursuant to the provisions of this Chapter for each and every separate office or place of business conducted by such person. (b) California Massage Therapy Council Certificate Required. (1) No person shall ...
Tobacco Retail License
Every tobacco retailer in Palm Springs must hold a permit issued and enforced under Riverside County Ordinance No. 838, which Municipal Code Section 6.11.020 incorporates by reference in full. Riverside County's Department of Environmental Health, not the city, administers and enforces the permit program citywide.
Palm Springs Tobacco Retailer Permit Rules
Significant RestrictionsPalm Springs, CA, Municipal Code § 6.11.020 (Riverside County Ordinance No. 838 Applicable Regarding the Permitting of Tobacco Retailers)
Riverside County's Ordinance No. 838 is incorporated by this reference as though set forth in its entirety herein. Ordinance 838 applies to all tobacco retailers that intend to operate, or are currently operating in the City, in addition to any other regulations applicable to tobacco retailers that may be set forth in this Code, except as specifically provided in Section 6.11.040.
Secondhand Dealers
Secondhand dealers in Palm Springs pay a business license tax under Section 3.84.350 and, like pawnbrokers, must file a daily report of every item bought or taken on deposit with the Chief of Police under Chapter 5.44. Purchased goods must be held intact for 30 days before resale, and dealers must record the true name and address of every seller.
Palm Springs Secondhand Dealer License Rules
Significant RestrictionsPalm Springs, CA, Municipal Code Sec. 3.84.350 (Secondhand Dealer License Tax); Sec. 5.44.010 (Reports Required); Sec. 5.44.020 (Property Holding Period)
For every dealer in secondhand goods, wares or merchandise not otherwise specifically mentioned in Chapters 3.40 through 3.96, the tax per year shall be at the rate set forth in Section 3.90.210(p). ... Every secondhand dealer, pawnbroker, loan broker, and every proprietor, keeper or owner of any office or other place of business where money is loaned on personal property for compensation, shal...
Pawnbrokers
Pawnbrokers in Palm Springs need both a business license tax under Chapter 3.84 and a police-issued permit under Chapter 5.44 before opening. The Chief of Police reviews the application and can deny it, and pawnbrokers must file daily transaction reports and hold merchandise for 30 days before it can be resold.
Palm Springs Pawnbroker Licensing Rules
Significant RestrictionsPalm Springs, CA, Municipal Code Sec. 3.84.290 (Pawnbroker License Tax); Sec. 5.44.060 (Permit Required)
For every pawnbroker, the tax per year shall be at the rate set forth in Section 3.90.210 (p). ... No person shall engage in any of the business activities the operators of which are required to render reports pursuant to Section 5.44.010, unless and until he first receives a permit so to do from the chief of police, which permit shall be issued upon the applicant's giving of all information de...
Towing Companies
Palm Springs police cannot request a nonconsensual tow from any company that is not under contract with the city as an official police tow services provider, per Section 11.82.040. Providers are chosen through a competitive city council selection process and must meet strict response-time, equipment and staffing standards.
Palm Springs Non-Consent Tow Rules
Significant RestrictionsPalm Springs, CA, Municipal Code § 11.82.040 (Police Towing Without City Agreement: Prohibited)
No tow operator shall perform nonconsensual vehicle towing at the request of the city's police department unless the person is an official police tow services provider.
Looking for Riverside County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Palm Springs city rules.
Business Licensing & Operations in Riverside County →