Business Licensing & Operations in Rialto, CA (2026)
6 verified business licensing & operations rules for Rialto, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Adult Entertainment
Rialto confines adult businesses to two narrow zoning designations and bars them within 750 feet of homes, schools, parks, churches or another adult use, on top of a discretionary permit from the planning commission.
Adult Businesses Confined to Two Rialto Zones
Significant RestrictionsRialto Municipal Code Section 18.105.030 (Ord. 1273 § 3 (part), 1998)
A. Subject to the limitations of this chapter, adult uses may be established within the: 1. R-C (retail commercial) and F-C (freeway commercial) zone of the Gateway Specific Plan; or 2. H-Ind (heavy industrial) zone of the Agua Mansa Specific Plan B. In those land use designations where the adult uses regulated by this chapter would otherwise be permitted uses, it shall be unlawful to establish...
Massage Establishments
Rialto requires anyone practicing as a massage technician or operating a massage parlor to hold both a business license and a city permit before touching a single client. Permanent operators pay $1,250 the first year, with $750 refunded if the year passes complaint-free, then $500 annually. Parlors must close between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m.
Massage Establishment License Required in Rialto
Significant RestrictionsRialto Municipal Code Sec. 5.24.020
Every person practicing, engaging or carrying on the business of a massage technician, or conducting a massage parlor, shall pay a business license fee. The fee for massage technicians who do not maintain a permanent place of business in the city is one hundred dollars per day. The fee for massage technicians and massage parlor operators maintaining a permanent place of business in the city sha...
Tattoo & Body Modification
Rialto Municipal Code Sec. 18.34.020(U) allows tattoo parlors only in the C-3 general commercial zone, and only with a conditional development permit approved by the planning commission. The use sits alongside arcades as one of two C-3 activities singled out for discretionary review rather than by-right approval, so a tattoo studio cannot pull a standard business license without first clearing that land-use hearing.
Rialto Tattoo Parlors Need a Conditional Permit
Significant RestrictionsRialto Municipal Code Sec. 18.34.020(U)
T.Entertainment establishments as defined in Section 18.04.315 of this title may be permitted subject to a conditional development permit;U.Tattoo parlors, subject to the issuance of a conditional development permit;V.Arcades, subject to the issuance of a conditional development permit.
Secondhand Dealers
Rialto regulates secondhand dealers under the state law definition in Business and Professions Code Section 21626, covering junk dealers, coin dealers and general secondhand goods buyers. RMC Sec. 4.04.030 requires every dealer to hold purchased items intact for ten calendar days, keep a written sales record, and take a fingerprint impression from each seller before resale.
Secondhand Dealer Licensing Rules in Rialto
Significant RestrictionsRialto Municipal Code Sec. 4.04.030
All the property and other valuable goods, wares and merchandise received on deposit or purchased shall be kept intact in their original state by every junk dealer, secondhand dealer, pawnbroker, and proprietor or owner of any office or any other place of business where money is loaned on personal property for compensation, for a period of ten calendar days from the date of such purchase, recei...
Pawnbrokers
Every pawnbroker doing business in Rialto needs a permit from the police chief, on display at the shop and separate from the regular city business license. RMC Sec. 4.04.090 sets a $60 annual fee, and running a pawn business without the permit is a misdemeanor; the chief can revoke it for uncured violations.
Pawnbroker Permit and Fee Rules in Rialto
Significant RestrictionsRialto Municipal Code Sec. 4.04.090(A)-(B)
A.Every person, firm or corporation subject to this chapter shall apply for, and obtain from the chief of police, a permit which shall be kept on display in the permittee's place of business. The application for such permit shall be in such form as the chief of police shall require. It may be revoked for violation of the requirements of this chapter if, within ten days of receiving written noti...
Towing Companies
Rialto dispatches disabled and impounded vehicles only through police-franchised tow companies. RMC Sec. 5.42.030 requires every official police tow service to sign a written franchise agreement with eligibility rules, operating regulations and fee schedules, and the city caps the roster at two franchises chosen through a competitive qualifications process.
Official Police Tow Franchise Rules in Rialto
Significant RestrictionsRialto Municipal Code Secs. 5.42.030, 5.42.060(B), 5.42.070
Tow truck operators designated as an official police tow service shall enter into a written franchise agreement with the city. Each franchise agreement shall contain eligibility requirements, operating regulations, and fee schedules as adopted by the city council. 5.42.060 - Franchise terms and conditions. B.The city shall award up to two franchises pursuant to this chapter. No provision of th...
Looking for San Bernardino County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Rialto city rules.
Business Licensing & Operations in San Bernardino County →