Business Licensing & Operations in Union City, CA (2026)
7 verified business licensing & operations rules for Union City, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Adult Entertainment
Union City confines adult businesses to the Community Commercial (CC) zoning district and requires a use permit plus a 1,000-foot buffer from any school, day care, or faith-based facility.
Adult Business Location Rules in Union City, CA
Significant RestrictionsUnion City Municipal Code § 18.36.030
Adult business, only where located at least 1,000 feet away from a school, day care, or faith based facility X Arcades, computer gaming, pool rooms/halls X Automotive sales—Used vehicles, permitted only in conjunction with new car sales X Automobile washing, including the use of mechanical conveyors, blowers and steam cleaners X Bars, comedy clubs, ni...
Massage Establishments
Union City requires every massage establishment's owners to obtain an operator permit from the Permit Administrator before opening, on top of state CAMTC certification for each technician.
Union City Massage Establishment Permit
Significant RestrictionsUnion City Municipal Code § 9.34.040
No massage establishment may operate in the City unless and until all owners of the massage establishment have applied for and obtained an operator permit from the Permit Administrator pursuant to this section. Massage establishment owners that have an establishment registration certificate shall be issued an operator permit without having to submit an application and will be required to renew ...
Tattoo & Body Modification
Union City classifies tattoo, piercing, and other body-art studios as a conditional use requiring Planning Commission approval in the Neighborhood Commercial (CN) and Community Commercial (CC) zoning districts.
Body Art and Tattoo Permit Rules Union City
Significant RestrictionsUnion City Municipal Code § 18.36.030
Approval by Planning Commission (refer to Chapter 18.56 for a detailed description of the use permit process). ... Body art
Tobacco Retail License
Union City requires every smoke shop and tobacco retailer to hold a City-issued Tobacco Retailer's License before selling any tobacco or vape product, with annual renewal and misdemeanor penalties for operating without one.
Union City Smoke Shops Need Tobacco License
Significant RestrictionsUnion City Municipal Code § 5.42.020(A)
Tobacco Retailer License Required. It is unlawful for any person to act as a tobacco retailer in the City without first obtaining and maintaining a valid tobacco retailer's license pursuant to this chapter for each location at which that activity is to occur. Tobacco retailing without a valid tobacco retailer's license is a nuisance as a matter of law. B. Lawful Business Operation. In the co...
Pawnbrokers
Union City's zoning code excludes pawn shops from every general-merchandise use category and expressly bans them at Union Landing, leaving no zoning district where a pawn shop is a listed permitted or conditional use.
Pawn Shop Zoning Rules in Union City, CA
Heavy RestrictionsUnion City Municipal Code § 18.39.060
The following uses are prohibited in Union Landing: Adult businesses; Check cashing businesses; Clearance centers and dollar stores; Convenience markets; Laundromats; Pawnshops; Retail tobacco stores; Second hand stores and thrift stores.
Auto Repair on Residential Property
Union City bans auto repair as a home occupation outright and limits at-home vehicle repair by residents to minor work only: no engine, transmission, frame, or paint work, and none in the public right-of-way.
Union City Home Auto Repair Limits
Significant RestrictionsUnion City Municipal Code § 18.32.020(R)
Repairs to automobiles and other vehicles or equipment shall be limited to minor repair on vehicles or equipment owned by a resident of the premises that may be stored within a private garage. Minor repair shall include minor adjustment or repair to mechanical, electrical systems, small parts replacement, brake pad and wheel replacement or repair, and shall not include engine, transmission or d...
Towing Companies
Union City requires tow operators to hold a City franchise agreement before performing police-ordered towing; unauthorized towing without one is unlawful under Chapter 10.17.
Union City Police Towing Franchise Required
Significant RestrictionsUnion City Municipal Code § 10.17.030
Except as specified in this title, it is unlawful for any person to solicit or perform the business of police towing in the City unless a franchise agreement therefor has first been entered into pursuant to the provisions of this chapter and such franchise agreement is in full force and effect. This chapter shall not apply to towing, repair or storage services performed for or made available to...
Looking for Alameda County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Union City city rules.
Business Licensing & Operations in Alameda County →