Business Licensing & Operations in Pismo Beach, CA (2026)
8 verified business licensing & operations rules for Pismo Beach, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Adult Entertainment
In the City of Pismo Beach, California, no one can operate an adult-oriented business without a regulatory permit under Chapter 5.10, and performers need a separate permit. Both zoning codes printed under Title 17 require adult businesses to sit no closer than five hundred feet to residential zoning, schools and similar uses, and one thousand feet to any other adult business.
Pismo Beach Adult-Oriented Business Permit and Spacing Rules
Significant RestrictionsPismo Beach Municipal Code § 5.10.030; § 17.105.153 (1983 Zoning Ordinance); § 17.38.030 (1998 Zoning Code)
A. It is unlawful for any person to conduct or operate in the city of Pismo Beach, the operation of an adult-oriented business unless the person first obtains and continues to maintain in full force and effect a permit from the city of Pismo Beach as herein required. (Adult-oriented business regulatory permit) ... P. Location Requirements. Adult businesses shall be located no closer than: 1. Fi...
Massage Establishments
In the City of Pismo Beach, California, a business cannot provide massage therapy without a massage establishment permit issued by the police chief and a valid city business license. Each permit is valid for two years, and massage therapy and instruction can be provided only between 6:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. under Chapter 5.11.
Pismo Beach Massage Establishment Permit Requirements
Significant RestrictionsPismo Beach Municipal Code §§ 5.11.040, 5.11.070, 5.11.080
B. Businesses. ... At any time later than six (6) months after the effective date of this article, it shall be unlawful for any business to provide massage therapy within the city of Pismo Beach unless all individuals employed by the massage establishment to perform massage, whether as an employee, independent contractor, or sole proprietorship, are certified massage practitioners, established ...
Tattoo & Body Modification
In the City of Pismo Beach, California, tattooing, permanent makeup, branding and body piercing are allowed only when the shop meets § 5.11.150. A new tattoo establishment must keep one thousand feet from any like establishment, operate only between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m., serve no alcohol or cannabis, and post a sign that no tattoo service is provided to anyone under 18.
Tattoo Establishment Rules in Pismo Beach, California
Significant RestrictionsPismo Beach Municipal Code § 5.11.150
At any time after the effective date of this ordinance, no person shall engage in, conduct, carry on, or permit any tattooing, application of permanent makeup, or branding or body piercing within the city of Pismo Beach unless all of the following requirements are met: A. No new tattoo establishment shall be established or operated within one thousand (1,000) feet from any like establishment. ....
Tobacco Retail License
In the City of Pismo Beach, California, a vape or tobacco store that devotes more than fifteen percent of its floor space or at least sixteen cumulative cubic feet of shelf space to smoking paraphernalia is a smoke shop, and no like establishment can sit within one thousand feet. Chapter 8.38 adds sign, ID and packaging rules for every tobacco retailer.
Pismo Beach Smoke Shop and Tobacco Retailer Rules
Some RestrictionsPismo Beach Municipal Code §§ 5.11.170(D), 5.11.180
D. "Smoke shop." Any establishment that either: (1) devotes more than fifteen percent (15%) of its floor space or (2) devotes at least sixteen (16) cumulative cubic feet of shelf space to smoking paraphernalia. For purposes of this section, "smoking paraphernalia" means paraphernalia relating to the smoking of tobacco, cannabis, or other psychoactive substances, or inhalation of vapor containin...
Secondhand Dealers
In the City of Pismo Beach, California, a junk collector without a fixed place of business pays a license tax of five dollars per day or fifty dollars per year under § 5.04.390, and a pawnbroker pays $100.00 a year under § 5.04.200. Gold and silver exchanges and pawn shops also cannot locate within one thousand feet of a like establishment under § 5.11.180.
Pismo Beach Junk Collector, Pawnbroker and Gold Exchange Rules
Some RestrictionsPismo Beach Municipal Code §§ 5.04.200, 5.04.390, 5.11.170, 5.11.180
Every person carrying on the businesses enumerated in this section shall pay an annual license tax as follows: Business Annual Fee ($) Business Annual Fee ($) ... Pawnbroker 100.00 ... Every person carrying on the business of ... a junk collector without a fixed place of business shall pay a license tax of five (5) dollars per day or fifty (50) dollars per year. ... B. ... "Gold and silver exch...
Pawnbrokers
In the City of Pismo Beach, California, a pawn shop is any establishment that takes jewelry, valuables, firearms or other property in pledge for loans, or buys articles under an agreement to resell them to the seller. Pawnbrokers pay a $100.00 annual license tax under § 5.04.200, and § 5.11.180 bars a new pawn shop within one thousand feet of a like establishment.
Pawnbroker Rules in Pismo Beach, California
Some RestrictionsPismo Beach Municipal Code §§ 5.04.200, 5.11.170(C), 5.11.180
Every person carrying on the businesses enumerated in this section shall pay an annual license tax as follows: Business Annual Fee ($) ... Pawnbroker 100.00 ... C. ... "Pawn shop." Any establishment that engages in the business of receiving jewelry, precious stones, valuables, firearms, clothing, personal property, or any other article or articles in pledge for loans, or as security, or in pawn...
Auto Repair on Residential Property
The City of Pismo Beach, California excludes auto repair from home occupations in both zoning codes printed under Title 17. The 1983 Zoning Ordinance lists major and minor auto repair as an excluded use and bars storing parts in the carport or yard. The 1998 Zoning Code prohibits vehicle repair, body or mechanical, along with upholstery, detailing and painting.
Pismo Beach Auto Repair at Home Rules
Heavy RestrictionsPismo Beach Municipal Code § 17.115.020 and § 17.115.050 (1983 Zoning Ordinance); § 17.38.070 (1998 Zoning Code)
D. The use shall be carried on entirely within the residence and not in any accessory structure, or the yard surrounding the dwelling. Storage of parts and/or materials in the carport or yard areas is prohibited. The use of the garage shall not prevent or limit the use of the garage for required on-site parking. ... The following uses by the nature of the operation are deemed to be incapable of...
Towing Companies
In the City of Pismo Beach, California, only tow companies under a one-year contract with the Police Department can take police-requested tows. Contractors must answer within twenty minutes, keep a yard within five miles of the city, and charge no more than the local California Highway Patrol rates.
Pismo Beach Police Towing Company Contract Rules
Significant RestrictionsPismo Beach Municipal Code §§ 10.28.010, 10.28.070, 10.28.090
In exercise of their power, the city council may regulate the operations of police towing services contracted to the city to include rates and fees charged resulting from police towing services requested pursuant to California Vehicle Code Section 21100(g). The chief of police is authorized and directed to enter into and regulate police towing services contracted to private tow companies. ... T...
Looking for San Luis Obispo County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Pismo Beach city rules.
Business Licensing & Operations in San Luis Obispo County →