Business Licensing & Operations in Mendocino County, CA (2026)

2 rules for unincorporated Mendocino County, California.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of Mendocino County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply: see the city list below.

Tobacco Retail License

Anyone selling tobacco products in unincorporated Mendocino County must hold a valid Tobacco Retailer's license for each fixed location under Mendocino County Code Section 6.20.020. No license can authorize sales at other than a fixed site, and the license runs one year, renewable through the county Public Health Department at least 30 days before expiration.

Mendocino County Tobacco Retailer License

Some Restrictions

Mendocino County Code § 6.20.020 (Requirement for Tobacco Retailer License)

It shall be unlawful for any Person to act as a Tobacco Retailer 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. No license may be issued to authorize Tobacco Retailing at other than a fixed location. The payment of the license fee designated in Section 6.20.060 confers paid status upon a l...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Secondhand Dealers

Operating a secondhand business, including buying, selling, trading, or taking property in pawn, in unincorporated Mendocino County requires a Sheriff-issued Secondhand Dealer License under Code Section 6.04.080(g), granted under California Business and Professions Code Section 21641, on top of the county's regular business license.

Mendocino County Secondhand Dealer License

Significant Restrictions

Mendocino County Code Sec. 6.04.080(g) (Sheriff's Office Approval - Secondhand Dealer License)

SHERIFF'S OFFICE APPROVAL - SECONDHAND DEALER LICENSE. It shall be unlawful for any person to operate a secondhand business in the unincorporated territory of Mendocino County without possessing a valid Mendocino County Secondhand Dealer License issued by the Sheriff and without possessing or operating under a Mendocino County Business License issued by the Tax Collector. The Sheriff shall acce...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

All Mendocino County ordinances

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