Business Licensing & Operations in San Francisco, CA (2026)
7 verified business licensing & operations rules for San Francisco, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Adult Entertainment
San Francisco bans any new adult bookstore, adult theater, or encounter studio within 1,000 feet of another adult business citywide.
SF Adult Business 1,000-Foot Spacing Rule
Significant RestrictionsSan Francisco, CA, Planning Code § 102 (Definitions — "Adult Business")
Adult Business. A Retail Sales and Service Use that includes the following: adult bookstore or adult video store, as defined by Section 791 of the Police Code; adult theater, as defined by Section 791 of the Police Code; and encounter studio, as defined by Section 1072.1 of the Police Code. Such use shall be located no less than 1,000 feet from another Adult Business use. Adult Sex Venue 2 A ...
Massage Establishments
San Francisco requires a Massage Business permit from the Department of Public Health before any massage establishment, sole-practitioner establishment, or outcall service can operate.
SF Massage Establishment License Rules
Significant RestrictionsSan Francisco, CA, Police Code § 29.25(a)
It shall be unlawful for any Owner of a Massage Establishment, Sole Practitioner Massage Establishment, or Outcall Massage Service to operate that Massage Business at any location in the City without first obtaining a permit for such Massage Business from the Director. In the event that a business owner or operator disclaims that the business is a Massage Business, the Director may hold a heari...
Tattoo & Body Modification
Every tattoo, piercing, branding, or permanent-cosmetics shop in San Francisco must hold a Department of Public Health permit before opening.
San Francisco Body Art Facility Permit Rules
Some RestrictionsSan Francisco Health Code § 4003(a)-(b)
All body art facilities must obtain a permit issued by the Director. (b) Every applicant for a body art facility permit shall file a written application with the Department, which shall state the name and address of the applicant, a description of the body art facility by street and number, the number of practitioners to be employed in the body art facility, together with a description of ...
Tobacco Retail License
A Tobacco Paraphernalia Establishment cannot open in San Francisco without Conditional Use authorization, and Planning Code Section 303(m) makes the Planning Commission first find that the district's concentration of such stores feeds no drug, crime, or safety problems.
SF Smoke Shop Conditional Use Permit
Significant RestrictionsSan Francisco Planning Code § 303(m) (Conditional Uses — Tobacco Paraphernalia Establishments)
(m) Tobacco Paraphernalia Establishments. (1) With respect to a Tobacco Paraphernalia Establishment, as defined in Section 102 of this Code, in addition to the criteria set forth in Subsections (c) and (d) above, the Commission shall make the following findings: (A) The concentration of such establishments in the particular zoning district for which they are proposed does not appear to contribu...
Secondhand Dealers
San Francisco requires anyone buying or selling covered secondhand goods to get a Chief of Police permit before operating, on top of a Tax Collector license.
SF Secondhand Dealer Permit Requirement
Significant RestrictionsSan Francisco, CA, Police Code § 1279.1(a)
Before any person shall engage in the business of Secondhand Dealer, that person must apply to the Chief of Police for a permit therefor. The Chief may grant the permit application, and the applicant may receive a license from the Tax Collector upon the payment of the license fee.
Pawnbrokers
San Francisco requires anyone operating a pawnbroking business to first obtain a permit from the Chief of Police, and pawnshops may only transact business during fixed hours set by ordinance.
SF Pawnbroker Business Permit Required
Significant RestrictionsSan Francisco, CA, Police Code § 2801
It shall be unlawful for any person to operate or to cause or permit to be operated any pawnbroking business without first having obtained a permit from the Chief of Police.
Towing Companies
San Francisco licenses the towing business through the Police Department. Police Code Sec. 3050 bars anyone from conducting business as a tow car firm in the City and County of San Francisco without a permit from the Chief of Police, and Sec. 3057 requires every tow from private property to be reported to the SFMTA Tow Desk within 30 minutes.
SF Tow Car Firms Need Police Permits
Significant RestrictionsSan Francisco, CA, Police Code § 3050
No person shall engage in or conduct business as a tow car firm within the City and County of San Francisco without first obtaining a permit from the Chief of Police as hereinafter provided. This Section will become effective when the Board of Supervisors approves a fee schedule for issuance of tow car firm permits. (Added by Ord. 21-97, App. 1/24/97)