Business Licensing & Operations in Placer County, CA (2026)
5 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Placer County, California.
Verified from official government sources
Adult Entertainment
Placer County requires a special business license and a conditional use permit before any adult bookstore, cabaret, massage parlor, model studio or similar adult-entertainment business can open in the unincorporated area. The county sheriff's department must approve the license, and workers must be at least 21 years old under Code § 5.16.070.
Placer County Adult Entertainment Business Permits
Significant RestrictionsPlacer County Code § 5.16.070
"adult entertainment" means and includes those establishments defined in Article 17.56 of the Placer County Zoning Ordinance. In addition to adult bookstores, adult motion picture theaters and arcades, adult hotel or motels, adult cabarets, massage parlors, model studios, and sexual encounter centers as defined in Article 17.56, other "adult entertainment" businesses include public bathhouses, ...
Massage Establishments
Massage parlors are treated as adult-entertainment businesses in unincorporated Placer County, not ordinary personal-service shops. Placer County Code § 5.16.070 requires a special business license approved by the county sheriff's department, plus a conditional use permit under the zoning ordinance, before a massage establishment can open. Operators must post a written price list, and no one under 21 may perform services on-site.
Placer County Massage Establishment Licensing Rules
Significant RestrictionsPlacer County Code § 5.16.070
A. For purposes of this section, "adult entertainment" means and includes those establishments defined in Article 17.56 of the Placer County Zoning Ordinance. In addition to adult bookstores, adult motion picture theaters and arcades, adult hotel or motels, adult cabarets, massage parlors, model studios, and sexual encounter centers as defined in Article 17.56, other "adult entertainment" busin...
Secondhand Dealers
Anyone who buys, sells, or otherwise deals in secondhand goods in unincorporated Placer County, including car radios, must hold a valid sheriff-issued license under County Code Article 5.28. Dealers must hold merchandise for 20 days before resale, file a daily report of every transaction with the sheriff, and cannot operate on Sundays, legal holidays, or between 7 p.m. and 8 a.m.
Placer County Secondhand Dealer & Pawnbroker Licensing
Significant RestrictionsPlacer County Code § 5.28.060
It is unlawful for any person to engage in, conduct, manage or carry on the business of a pawnbroker or secondhand dealer without having a valid, existing and unrevoked license therefor.
Pawnbrokers
Operating as a pawnbroker or secondhand dealer in unincorporated Placer County requires a sheriff-issued license under County Code § 5.28.060, daily transaction reports to the sheriff, a 20-day merchandise hold, and compliance with fixed hours of business.
Placer County Pawnbroker and Secondhand Dealer License
Significant RestrictionsPlacer County Code §§ 5.28.060, 5.28.070
§ 5.28.060. Required. It is unlawful for any person to engage in, conduct, manage or carry on the business of a pawnbroker or secondhand dealer without having a valid, existing and unrevoked license therefor. § 5.28.070. Issuance. The licenses required by the preceding section shall be issued by the sheriff on application therefor. Fees related to obtaining this license from the sheriff are pro...
Auto Repair on Residential Property
Auto repair and painting cannot be run as a home occupation anywhere in unincorporated Placer County. County Code Section 17.56.120(B)(2) puts auto repair or painting on the flat list of uses barred from home-based operation, regardless of zone district, lot size or acreage, alongside general commercial retail sales and other outdoor business activity.
Placer County Bars Home Auto Repair Businesses
Heavy RestrictionsPlacer County Code § 17.56.120(B)(2)
Uses Prohibited. For guidance, the following and similar uses are not allowed as home occupations: commercial retail sales (except as allowed pursuant to subsection (C)(8)); auto repair or painting; any outdoor business activity not otherwise consistent with this chapter.
Business Licensing & Operations by City in Placer County
1 cities in Placer County have their own business licensing & operations rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
All Placer County ordinances
See every category we cover for Placer County: parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.
Placer County Ordinance Hub →