Business Licensing & Operations in San Bernardino, CA (2026)
5 verified business licensing & operations rules for San Bernardino, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Adult Entertainment
San Bernardino requires a city license before anyone operates a public dance hall, night club or any venue offering adult entertainment, with the City Clerk investigating every applicant through Police, Fire and Development Services before approval.
San Bernardino Adult Entertainment License
Significant RestrictionsSan Bernardino Municipal Code § 5.14.020
It is unlawful for any person, firm, corporation or association of persons to operate, conduct or carry on any act of entertainment, public dance hall, public dance, dancing club, dine and dance club or night club, as the same are defined in § 5.14.010, without first obtaining a license to do so as provided in this chapter.
Massage Establishments
Running a massage parlor or working as a massage technician in San Bernardino requires a City Clerk permit backed by a police background investigation, fingerprints and a 600-hour training diploma, on top of the city's regular business registration certificate.
San Bernardino Massage Establishment Permit
Significant RestrictionsSan Bernardino Municipal Code § 5.20.020
(A) It is unlawful for any person, association, firm or corporation to engage in, conduct or carry on, or permit to be engaged in, conducted or carried on, in or upon any premises within the city, the business of a massage parlor or to render or permit to be rendered massage services at a location removed from a massage establishment within the city in the absence of a permit issued pursuant ...
Secondhand Dealers
San Bernardino requires anyone running a junk dealer or collector business to get a permit from the Mayor and City Council before the Chief of Police will issue a license, and the applicant must first obtain written consent from every owner and tenant within 150 feet of the proposed location.
San Bernardino Junk and Secondhand Dealer Rules
Significant RestrictionsSan Bernardino Municipal Code § 5.56.080
Any person, firm or corporation desiring to manage, conduct or carry on the business of a junk dealer or collector at any place within the city shall first make application to the Mayor and City Council of the city for a permit to do so... Before any permit shall be granted to any person for a license to manage, conduct or carry on the business of a junk dealer or collection at any place within...
Pawnbrokers
Pawnbrokers in San Bernardino must file a daily property report with the Chief of Police by noon, take pledgers' signature, address and fingerprint, and hold every item 30 days before resale. The rules sit in Municipal Code Chapter 5.56, alongside junk dealers and secondhand dealers.
San Bernardino Pawnbroker Reporting Rules
Significant RestrictionsSan Bernardino Municipal Code § 5.56.010
Every junk dealer, 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 a compensation shall daily make out and deliver to the Chief of Police every day before the hour of 12:00 p.m., on a blank form to be furnished him or her by the Chief of Police for that purpose, a full, true ...
Towing Companies
Any tow company that hooks a vehicle off private property in San Bernardino must file a tow report with the Police Department by the end of the next business day and collect a city impound-processing fee under SBMC § 10.16.290. The fee amount is set by City Council resolution and remitted monthly.
San Bernardino Private Tow Reporting Rule
Some RestrictionsSan Bernardino Municipal Code § 10.16.290
(A) Any tow company that tows and impounds a vehicle from private property in the city under the California Vehicle Code shall complete and submit a private party tow report form to the Police Department either by fax or e-mail by the end of the business day following the tow. (B) The owner of, or other person responsible for, any vehicle impounded by a tow company from private property in the ...
Looking for San Bernardino County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement San Bernardino city rules.
Business Licensing & Operations in San Bernardino County →