Business Licensing & Operations in San Diego County, CA (2026)

5 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 8 cities in San Diego County, California.

Verified from official government sources

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

Adult Entertainment

Unincorporated San Diego County requires an Administrative Permit before any adult entertainment establishment opens, and the Director must deny it if the site is within 500 feet of family-residential zoning, 600 feet of a church, school, playground or park, or 1,000 feet of another such establishment.

San Diego County Adult Entertainment Permit & Spacing

Significant Restrictions

San Diego County Zoning Ordinance § 6930(b)(2)

The application for an Administrative Permit for an adult entertainment establishment shall be approved unless said establishment is within 500 feet of any area zoned so as to permit the family residential use type as a primary use by right, or within 600 feet of any church, school, public playground, or park or within 1,000 feet of another such adult entertainment establishment. No Variance sh...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Tattoo & Body Modification

Every tattoo, piercing or permanent-makeup studio in San Diego County, including mobile units and temporary events, needs a Department of Environmental Health permit before opening. Practitioners must separately register, and violations carry misdemeanor charges plus daily fines.

San Diego County Body Art Facility Permits

Significant Restrictions

San Diego County Code § 66.305

(a) Body art procedures shall be the only activity conducted in a body art facility. (b) It shall be unlawful for any person to operate a body art facility, including a mobile body art vehicle or a body art temporary event, without first applying for and receiving a permit from the Department. (c) The permit required by the SBAA and this chapter shall be applied for and issued as prescribed in ...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Tobacco Retail License

Unincorporated San Diego County caps tobacco and vape retailer licenses at 330 countywide and bars new stores within 500 feet of an existing one. The Health Officer issues licenses, self-service displays and pharmacy locations are barred outright, and repeat violators face escalating suspensions up to revocation.

San Diego County Tobacco Retailer License Rules

Significant Restrictions

San Diego County Code §§ 21.2603, 21.2606, 21.2608

(a) PHARMACIES. No license may be issued to authorize tobacco retailing at a location with an onsite pharmacy. (b) DENSITY. ... (1) After January 1, 2022, no new license may be issued to authorize tobacco retailing if the number of tobacco retailer licenses already issued equals or exceeds 330. (2) After January 1, 2022, no new license may be issued within 500 feet of a tobacco retailer locatio...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Secondhand Dealers

Pawnbrokers and secondhand dealers in unincorporated San Diego County must hold a Sheriff-issued license and operate from a fixed place of business before buying used goods.

San Diego County Secondhand Dealer License

Significant Restrictions

San Diego County Code § 21.703

No person shall conduct business as a pawnbroker or secondhand dealer in the unincorporated area of the County without obtaining a license from the Issuing Officer. The Sheriff shall be the Issuing Officer for any license required by this chapter. A pawnbroker's license and a secondhand dealer's license are subject to sections 21.101- 21.117 of this code and this chapter. (Ord. No. 8466 (N.S.),...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Pawnbrokers

Anyone who conducts business as a pawnbroker or secondhand dealer in unincorporated San Diego County must first obtain a license from the Sheriff, the Issuing Officer under County Code § 21.703. Licensees also need a fixed place of business inside the unincorporated area under § 21.704, and must hold every item acquired for seven days so deputies can inspect it under § 21.706.

San Diego County Pawnbroker Licensing Rules

Significant Restrictions

San Diego County Code §§ 21.703-21.704

SEC. 21.703. LICENSE REQUIRED. No person shall conduct business as a pawnbroker or secondhand dealer in the unincorporated area of the County without obtaining a license from the Issuing Officer. The Sheriff shall be the Issuing Officer for any license required by this chapter. A pawnbroker's license and a secondhand dealer's license are subject to sections 21.101-21.117 of this code and this c...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗