Business Licensing & Operations in El Dorado County, CA (2026)
5 rules for unincorporated El Dorado County, California.
Verified from official government sources
Adult Entertainment
El Dorado County requires adult (sex-oriented) business establishments to keep 300 feet from U.S. Highway 50 and 1,000 feet from schools, churches, libraries, residential zones and other adult businesses. Owners must secure an Administrative Permit with a vicinity map before opening, and operating hours are capped between 10 p.m. and 10 a.m. daily.
El Dorado County Adult Business Buffer & Hours
Significant RestrictionsEl Dorado County Code § 130.40.040(C), (E)
C.Prior to Administrative Permit approval, a potential adult business owner shall provide a vicinity map demonstrating that the adult business is not being established or located within 300 feet of U.S. Highway 50 and within 1,000 feet of the following existing uses:1.Any zone that allows residential uses by right;2.Any house of worship or any noncommercial establishment operated by a bona fide...
Massage Establishments
Massage establishments and technicians in unincorporated El Dorado County are regulated as adult-related establishments under Chapter 5.34, needing a Sheriff-issued special business license and individual employee permits, unless every technician holds a California Massage Therapy Council certificate, which exempts the business from Chapter 5.34 entirely.
El Dorado County Massage Establishment License
Significant RestrictionsEl Dorado County Code Section 5.34.140(A), (C)
A.License required. It is unlawful for any person to operate or conduct an adult-related establishment unless under and by authority of a valid, unexpired and unrevoked business license issued pursuant to the provisions of this chapter....C.Employee permits required.1.It is unlawful for any person to provide any of the following services without possessing a valid, unexpired and unrevoked emplo...
Tobacco Retail License
El Dorado County Code Section 130.40.340 defines 'tobacco product' to include e-cigarettes and vape devices, then bars any tobacco or vape retailer from locating within 1,500 feet of a school, park, church, licensed child care, or another tobacco retailer in the unincorporated county.
El Dorado County Tobacco & Vape Retail Setbacks
Significant RestrictionsEl Dorado County Code § 130.40.340(B), (C)
Tobacco product means:1.Any product containing, made of, or derived from tobacco or nicotine that is intended for human consumption or is likely to be consumed... including, but not limited to, a cigarette, a cigar, pipe tobacco, chewing tobacco, snuff, or snus;2.Any electronic device that delivers nicotine or tobacco, whether natural or synthetic, to the person inhaling from the device, includ...
Secondhand Dealers
Secondhand dealers operating in unincorporated El Dorado County need a Sheriff-issued special business license valid two years, and the Sheriff must certify the dealer filed all required reports on secondhand merchandise purchases for the three months before applying, under Section 5.14.060.
El Dorado County Secondhand Dealer License
Significant RestrictionsEl Dorado County Code Section 5.14.060
In addition to a special business license, the Sheriff shall certify that, during a period of three months prior to the application for such license, the applicant has complied with all laws and ordinances requiring reports of the purchase or receipt of secondhand merchandise.
Auto Repair on Residential Property
El Dorado County Code Section 130.40.380 bars maintaining, repairing, or storing motor vehicles on a residential lot unless every vehicle is registered to someone who actually lives there, or the work qualifies as a Home Occupation under Section 130.40.160. Vehicle storage is also restricted to the front setback on an access driveway, not the side or rear yard.
Home Auto Repair Rules in El Dorado County
Some RestrictionsEl Dorado County Code § 130.40.380
The maintenance, repair, and storage of motor vehicles on lots allowing residential uses by right shall be prohibited unless:1.All vehicles being stored or repaired are registered to an occupant of the lot; or2.Vehicle maintenance, repair, retail sale or storage of vehicle parts are in compliance with Section 130.40.160 (Home Occupations) above in this Chapter; and3.Vehicle storage shall not be...
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