Business Licensing & Operations in Merced County, CA (2026)
7 rules for unincorporated Merced County, California.
Verified from official government sources
Adult Entertainment
Adult entertainment businesses in unincorporated Merced County need a Sheriff's regulatory permit before opening and must sit in an M-1 or M-2 manufacturing zone. They cannot locate within 1,000 feet of a park, church, school, another adult business, a residential zone, or a dwelling in the A-1 general agricultural zone.
Merced County Adult Business Permit & Zoning
Significant RestrictionsMerced County Code Section 6.12.030
It is unlawful for any person to engage in, conduct or carry on, or to permit to be engaged in, conducted or carried in unincorporated area of Merced County, the operation of an AEB unless the person first obtains and continues to maintain in full force and effect an AEB regulatory permit from the sheriff. ... No AEB shall be established or located in any zone other than light manufacturing (M-...
Massage Establishments
Merced County requires a county permit before anyone opens a massage establishment or school of massage, and every masseur, masseuse, instructor, or trainee must separately hold their own permit before working, following a $500 or $100 filing fee, background check, and physician's health certificate.
Merced County Massage Establishment License
Significant RestrictionsMerced County Code Section 6.36.030
It is unlawful for any person to engage in, conduct, or carry on, or to permit to be engaged in, conducted, or carried on, in or upon any premises in the county the operation of a massage establishment as defined in Section 6.36.020 without first having obtained a permit from the county after approval by the requisite county officers. It is unlawful for any person to act as a masseur, masseuse,...
Tattoo & Body Modification
In unincorporated Merced County, anyone operating a tattoo parlor, body piercing studio, permanent cosmetics business, or ear piercing service must hold an annual body art facility permit from the county's Division of Environmental Health. Merced County Code Section 9.49.010 sets that permit fee at $715 a year, adds a $100 annual practitioner registration fee, and charges a one-time $49 ear piercing notification fee, with all figures adjusted every July 1 for inflation.
Merced County Tattoo and Body Art Permit Fees
Some RestrictionsMerced County Code § 9.49.010 (Environmental health fees)
Tattooing, body piercing, permanent cosmetics, or ear piercing: Body art facility permit 715/year Practitioner annual registration fee 100/year Ear piercing notification fee (one-time) 49/year ... Any person who fails to obtain any required construction and/or operating permit prior to commencing work or operation may be subject to closure of the facility or stoppage of work and must pay the or...
Tobacco Retail License
Any Merced County business that holds a California Cigarette and Tobacco Products Retailer's License must sit at least 1,000 feet from another licensed tobacco or vape retailer, and from schools, parks, or other sensitive uses. Zoning Code Section 18.60.300 sets the buffer and the property-line-to-property-line measurement method.
Merced County Tobacco/Vape Retailer 1,000-Ft Buffer
Significant RestrictionsMerced County Zoning Code § 18.60.300(B)(1)
Prohibited Locations. Establishments that sell tobacco products, cigarettes, or vaping devices and supplies shall not be located within a 1,000-foot radius of another establishment required to have a valid California Cigarette and Tobacco Products Retailer's License or any sensitive uses (i.e., schools, parks, youth facilities), as measured in compliance with paragraph 2 below.
Secondhand Dealers
Secondhand dealers in unincorporated Merced County must hold a Sheriff-issued license before buying, selling, or taking in secondhand goods, clearing a Department of Justice background check for stolen-property offenses, and keep detailed weekly transaction records for Sheriff inspection.
Merced County Secondhand Dealer License Rules
Some RestrictionsMerced County Code Sections 6.44.020-6.44.030
It shall be unlawful in unincorporated areas of Merced County for any person to engage in the business of second hand dealer as defined by Section 6.44.010(A) hereof; without having first obtained a license as provided by Section 6.44.030. ... The Sheriff shall accept an application for and grant a license permitting the licensee to engage in the business of secondhand dealer to an applicant wh...
Pawnbrokers
Merced County pawnbrokers operate under the same Chapter 6.44 license as secondhand dealers, but face an additional, pawnbroker-specific rule: a peace officer with probable cause can place a 90-day hold on pledged property suspected of being stolen, and the pawnbroker cannot release it during that hold.
Merced County Pawnbroker Stolen Property Holds
Some RestrictionsMerced County Code Section 6.44.060
Whenever any peace officer has probable cause to believe that property in the possession of a pawnbroker is stolen, he may place a hold on such property for a period not to exceed 90 days. The peace officer shall give the pawnbroker a written notice at the time the hold is placed, describing the item or items to be held. During such period the pawnbroker shall not release or dispose of such pro...
Auto Repair on Residential Property
Merced County bans on-site vehicle repair, bodywork, and painting, including on recreational vehicles, as a home occupation anywhere in the unincorporated county. Every other home occupation still needs a Zoning Clearance and must fit inside 250 square feet or 25% of the home's living space.
Merced County Bans Home Auto Repair Business
Heavy RestrictionsMerced County Code § 18.60.070.D (Prohibited Home Occupations)
Prohibited Home Occupations. The following home occupations are prohibited in the county: 1. Beauty and barber shops; 2. Medical, dental, or chiropractic offices; 3. On-site vehicle repair, bodywork, and painting (including recreational vehicles); 4. Large appliance and machine repair; and 5. Contractor storage yard.
All Merced County ordinances
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