Business Licensing & Operations in Fresno County, CA (2026)
5 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 2 cities in Fresno County, California.
Verified from official government sources
Adult Entertainment
Fresno County confines adult businesses to the M-1, M-2, and M-3 industrial zoning districts and keeps them at least 1,000 feet from schools, day nurseries, and other adult businesses, 250 feet from churches, and 500 feet from homes and recreation areas under County Code Chapter 6.33. A county license and background check are required before opening.
Fresno County Adult Business Location Spacing
Significant RestrictionsFresno County Code § 6.33.030
No adult business shall be located:1.Within a zoning district other than M-l, M-2, and M-3;2.Within one thousand feet of any public or private school or day nursery, whether or not located within the county;3.Within two hundred fifty feet of any church, chapel, temple, mosque, or other publicly recognized place of worship, whether or not located within the county; and4.Within five hundred feet ...
Massage Establishments
Fresno County requires a sheriff-issued massage establishment permit, CAMTC certification, and a Chapter 6.04 business license before anyone can offer massage services for compensation in the unincorporated county. Out-call massage needs its own county permit too. Permits run two years, and the sheriff can deny one over disqualifying criminal convictions.
Fresno County Massage Establishment Permit
Significant RestrictionsFresno County Code § 6.39.040
A.County massage establishment permit. It is unlawful for any owner, operator, officer, director, or managing employee of a massage establishment to operate or permit the operation of such establishment without a valid County massage establishment permit, as required by this chapter.B.County out call massage business permit. It is unlawful for any person to provide out call massage services wit...
Tattoo & Body Modification
Fresno County requires anyone operating a body art or tattoo facility to first obtain a written permit from the Department of Public Health; operating without one, or after a permit has lapsed or been revoked, is unlawful under County Code §§ 8.50.045 and 8.50.050(A).
Fresno County Body Art Permit Requirement
Significant RestrictionsFresno County Code §§ 8.50.045, 8.50.050(A)
8.50.045.A. It is unlawful for any person, without first having obtained a written permit from the Department of Public Health, to engage in the businesses and activities set forth under Section 8.50.050. 8.50.050.A. Body Art. The terms "body art," "body art facility," and "practitioner" shall have the same meanings as set forth in the California Health and Safety Code, Division 104, Part 15, C...
Secondhand Dealers
Fresno County requires anyone in the unincorporated area who buys, sells, trades, pawns, or auctions secondhand or used goods to hold a license under County Code Chapter 6.24 before opening. The sheriff fingerprints and investigates every applicant, and the department of public works and planning checks zoning. Licenses expire each June 30, and operating without one is unlawful.
Fresno County Secondhand Dealer License
Some RestrictionsFresno County Code § 6.24.020
Except as specifically provided otherwise in this chapter, it is unlawful for any person to engage in the business of junk dealer, secondhand dealer, itinerant dealer, used goods dealer, or flea market operator without first having obtained a license therefor as provided in this chapter. A person who is a dealer in any combination of junk, used goods, and secondhand goods may apply for and rece...
Towing Companies
Fresno County Code Section 11.46.100 requires any impound facility holding a vehicle seized under the county's nuisance-vehicle-seizure chapter to accept cash or a valid bank credit or debit card, in the cardholder's own name, when the legal or registered owner comes to redeem it. An operator who refuses is civilly liable for four times the towing and impound fees, capped at five hundred dollars.
Fresno County Impound Facility Payment Rules
Some RestrictionsFresno County Code § 11.46.100
A.A person operating or in charge of an impound facility where vehicles are stored pursuant to this chapter shall accept a valid bank credit card or cash for payment of towing, impound, and related fees by a legal or registered owner, or the legal or registered owner's agent, claiming the vehicle. A credit or debit card shall be in the name of the person presenting the card. For purposes of thi...
Business Licensing & Operations by City in Fresno County
2 cities in Fresno County have their own business licensing & operations rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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