Business Licensing & Operations in West Valley City, UT (2026)
7 verified business licensing & operations rules for West Valley City, Utah, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Adult Entertainment
West Valley City confines sexually oriented businesses (adult bookstores, adult theaters, seminude entertainment, seminude dancing agencies, and escort services) to zones authorized under Title 7 and requires a separate sexually oriented business license plus police-issued work cards for every employee. Violations are a Class B misdemeanor with a $500 civil penalty per offense, and licenses can be suspended or revoked.
West Valley City Sexually Oriented Business License
Heavy RestrictionsWest Valley City Municipal Code §§ 17-5-106, 17-5-107, 17-5-137
17-5-106. LOCATION AND ZONING RESTRICTIONS. It is unlawful for any sexually oriented business to do business at any location within the City not zoned for such business. All sexually oriented business categories listed in this Chapter and licensed pursuant to this Chapter shall only be allowed in areas zoned for their use pursuant to Title 7. ... 17-5-107. BUSINESS LICENSE REQUIRED. It is unlaw...
Massage Establishments
West Valley City requires massage establishments to operate under the state Massage Therapy Practice Act, bars alcohol on the premises, and bans anyone under 21 or convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude within the past five years from holding a license, under § 17-2-301. Every applicant also has to clear the citywide business license process in Chapter 17-1.
West Valley City Massage Establishment License
Some RestrictionsWest Valley City Municipal Code § 17-2-301
(1) All establishments offering massage as defined by the Massage Therapy Practice Act shall operate in accordance with the Massage Therapy Practice Act. (2) Licensees must be over 21 years of age and must not have a conviction of a crime involving moral turpitude in the past five years. (3) No alcoholic beverages shall be sold, stored, or consumed on the premises of a massage establishment. (4...
Tattoo & Body Modification
West Valley City's Commercial and Manufacturing Use Table at Municipal Code Section 7-6-301 permits Tattoo Establishments by right in eight zones, from BRP through Manufacturing, and bars them outright only in the City's three overlay zones along the Jordan River, Bangerter Highway, and 5600 West.
West Valley City Tattoo Shop Zoning Rule
Light RestrictionsWest Valley City Municipal Code § 7-6-301, Commercial and Manufacturing Use Table
The following table indicates the permitted (P), conditional (C), and prohibited (X) Uses within the Commercial, Manufacturing, and overlay Zones of the City. ... It is the express intent of the City Council that any Use not listed in this table is prohibited in the Commercial and Manufacturing Zones of the City. | Zones | BRP | MXD | CC | C-1 | C-2 | C-3 | LI | M | JROZ | BHOZ | 56WOZ | ; Tatt...
Tobacco Retail License
West Valley City keeps standalone tobacco shops away from schools, parks, and homes. Municipal Code § 7-7-121(2) bars a Retail Tobacco Specialty Business from locating within 1,000 feet of a school, playground, church, or similar community location, within 600 feet of another such shop, and within 600 feet of any residential or agricultural zone or use.
West Valley City Retail Tobacco Buffer Rules
Significant RestrictionsWest Valley City Municipal Code § 7-7-121(2)
b. “Retail Tobacco Specialty Business” means a Commercial establishment in which: i. the sale of tobacco products accounts for more than 35% of the total annual gross receipts for the establishment; ii. food and beverage products, excluding gasoline sales, is less than 45% of the total annual gross receipts for the establishment; and iii. the establishment is not licensed as a pharmacy under Ti...
Secondhand Dealers
West Valley City requires secondhand and junk dealers to post a $1,000 bond, pass a police background check, and keep detailed transaction records.
West Valley City Secondhand Dealer License
Significant RestrictionsWest Valley City Municipal Code § 17-2-505
Every person licensed under this Chapter, except junk collectors, shall be required as a condition prerequisite to their obtaining a license or renewing a license provided for under this Chapter to deliver a surety bond of $1,000 in a form and with sufficient sureties as is determined by the City Attorney for the faithful compliance with the provisions of this Chapter.
Pawnbrokers
West Valley City pawnbrokers must operate in a partitioned, standalone business space and hold pledged items for six months before disposal.
West Valley City Pawnbroker License Rules
Significant RestrictionsWest Valley City Municipal Code § 17-2-518
It shall be unlawful in all cases in which an article pledged has been forfeited, for a sale or other disposition thereof to be made by the dealer within the period of six months after the forfeiture of the pledge, unless the period of loan is less than three months; in which case, the period of redemption shall be three months. During such periods the person shall have the right to redeem such...
Towing Companies
West Valley City, Salt Lake County, Utah, requires every tow truck service to hold a business license and meet extra conditions under Municipal Code § 17-2-1001: at least $25,000 in towing property damage liability insurance, proof of compliance with Utah DOT and State Tax Commission rules, and an in-city impound yard. Operators must carry their license and UDOT card on the job at all times.
West Valley City Tow Truck Business License Rules
Some RestrictionsWest Valley City Municipal Code §§ 17-2-1001, 17-1-104(1)
(1) In addition to all other requirements of this Title, all tow truck service applications shall include the following: a. Evidence of current towing property damage liability insurance in a minimum amount of $25,000; b. Evidence of compliance with all Utah Department of Transportation and State Tax Commission requirements; and c. Evidence that the tow truck service tows and stores motor vehic...
Looking for Salt Lake County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement West Valley City city rules.
Business Licensing & Operations in Salt Lake County →