Business Licensing & Operations in Warren, MI (2026)
6 verified business licensing & operations rules for Warren, Michigan, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Adult Entertainment
Warren licenses sexually oriented businesses under Code Chapter 6, Article X and confines them by zoning distance rule: sites must sit more than 750 feet from residential districts, 1,000 feet from schools, day cares, libraries, churches and parks, and 1,000 feet from any other sexually oriented business.
Warren Sexually Oriented Business Spacing Rules
Significant RestrictionsWarren, MI Zoning Ordinance (Appendix A) § 14.01(s)(3)
Location criteria for sexually oriented businesses. Any sexually oriented business shall be permitted if all of the following location criteria are met:a.The site for the sexually oriented business must be located more than seven hundred fifty (750) feet from the nearest lot line of any of the following zoning districts within the City of Warren: R-1-A, R-1-B, R-1-C, R-1-P, R-2, R-3, R-3-A, R-4...
Massage Establishments
Warren requires a city clerk-issued license to operate a massage or spa establishment, on top of the state massage therapist license every practitioner must hold under MCL 333.17951. Establishments cost $200 to license, must close between 10 p.m. and 8 a.m., and can lose the license for prostitution-related conduct.
Warren Massage Establishment License
Significant RestrictionsWarren City Code § 19-4
(a)The city clerk shall issue massage establishment/spa establishment license upon investigation, and after receipt of all of the required information and reports if the applicant meets the requirements hereunder and the requirements of city ordinances and has paid the necessary fees.(b)It shall be unlawful for any person to operate massage/spa establishment without a valid establishment licens...
Tattoo & Body Modification
Warren requires anyone operating a tattoo establishment to hold a city clerk license under Chapter 36, pass inspection by the health officer, police commissioner and buildings division, and use sterilizing equipment on every customer. Tattooing a minor is banned unless a parent or guardian signs a written permission or is physically present. Violations of the health and safety rules carry fines up to $1,000 per infraction.
Warren Tattoo Parlor Licensing Rules
Some RestrictionsWarren, MI City Code §§ 36-2, 36-3, 36-26
No person shall maintain an establishment in the city to engage in or do tattooing unless such person has secured a license to do so from the city clerk as provided in this article. ... Every tattoo establishment shall be equipped with sterilizing equipment prescribed by the health officer. The sterilizing equipment must be maintained in proper sanitary manner and be at all times in proper work...
Secondhand Dealers
Warren requires a city clerk-issued license before anyone operates as an automotive recycler, scrap processor, secondhand goods or junk dealer, junk peddler, or junk yard, layered on top of the chapter 18 general licensing rules.
Warren Secondhand Goods Dealer License
Some RestrictionsWarren, MI Code of Ordinances § 30-2
No person shall carry on the business of automotive recycler, scrap processor, secondhand goods or junk dealer, junk peddler or junk yard, as defined in article I, without first procuring a license issued by the city clerk as required in this article and pursuant to the general licensing provisions of chapter 18. The license shall expire pursuant to the provisions of section 18-13 of the Code o...
Pawnbrokers
Warren bars anyone from operating a pawnshop without a city clerk license, backed by two $1,500 sureties, a criminal background check, and zoning that pushes pawnshops at least 1,000 feet from residential areas, schools, churches, and parks.
Warren Pawnbroker License Requirement
Significant RestrictionsWarren, MI Code of Ordinances § 30-52
No person shall carry on the business of pawnbroker, as defined in article I, without first procuring a license issued by the city clerk as required in this article and pursuant to the general licensing provisions of chapter 18. The license shall expire pursuant to the provisions of section 18-13 of the Code of Ordinances and shall not be prorated.
Towing Companies
Warren requires every wrecker owner to hold a city clerk license under Chapter 37, Article III before towing vehicles for a fee. Licensed wreckers must post their name and address in three-inch letters on each side, carry required insurance, and follow city council's rate schedule when towing at police direction. Soliciting business at accident scenes is banned outright.
Warren Wrecker and Towing Company Licensing Rules
Significant RestrictionsWarren, MI City Code §§ 37-552, 37-571, 37-575
No wrecker vehicle or wrecker owner shall operate any or cause to be operated any towing services in the City without first procuring a license issued by the city clerk as required in this Article and Chapter 18 of the Code of Ordinances. ... Wrecker vehicles shall bear the name and address of the owner in letters painted on the vehicle not less than three (3) inches in height on each side of t...
Looking for Macomb County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Warren city rules.
Business Licensing & Operations in Macomb County →