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

2 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Stanislaus County, California.

Verified from official government sources

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

Adult Entertainment

Stanislaus County requires a permit from the Planning Director before any adult business can open in the unincorporated area, and bars new adult businesses from locating within 500 feet of residential zones, schools, churches, parks or other public buildings under County Code § 21.68.030. Businesses inside Modesto, Turlock, Ceres and the county's other cities fall under those cities' own codes instead.

Stanislaus County Adult Business Permit & Spacing

Significant Restrictions

Stanislaus County Code, Title 21, Chapter 21.68 (Adult Businesses), §§ 21.68.030, 21.68.050

Adult businesses shall not be located within five hundred feet of any of the following whether or not located within the unincorporated areas of the county: 1. Any real property located in the following districts: R-A (rural residential), R-1 (low-density residential), R-2 (medium-density residential), R-3 (multiple family residential), P-D (planned development), C-1 (neighborhood commercial), ...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Secondhand Dealers

Stanislaus County requires every secondhand merchant in the unincorporated area to hold a treasurer-tax collector license before buying, trading, or pawning used property. Chapter 6.52 also mandates daily sheriff reports on acquired goods, a 30-day holding period before resale, and bars purchases from anyone under 18 or between 9 p.m. and 7 a.m.

Stanislaus County Secondhand Dealer Licensing

Significant Restrictions

Stanislaus County Code §§ 6.52.005, 6.52.140

§ 6.52.005. Authority and construction. This section is adopted pursuant to Business and Professions Code Section 21638 and Section 21660 in supplementation of the state secondhand dealers law and the state swap meet law, Business and Professions Code Sections 21625 et seq. and 21660 et seq., respectively. ... § 6.52.140. License—Required. It is unlawful for any person to act as a secondhand me...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Business Licensing & Operations by City in Stanislaus County

1 cities in Stanislaus County have their own business licensing & operations rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.

ModestoPop. 218,464

8 verified rules • Adult Entertainment, Auto Repair on Residential Property

All Stanislaus County ordinances

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