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

5 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 6 cities in Ventura County, California.

Verified from official government sources

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

Massage Establishments

Opening a massage business in unincorporated Ventura County takes a Sheriff-issued license for each business location plus the separate Permit to Operate under § 4606, and every massage technician working there needs an individual Sheriff-issued license as well.

Ventura County Massage Business License

Some Restrictions

Ventura County Ordinance Code § 2491-1

2491-1 - Massage business license. No person shall engage in, conduct or carry on or permit to be engaged in, conducted or carried on, in or upon any premises, or mobile unit, the operation of a massage business without first obtaining a license therefor for each business location. The requirements of this Section are in addition to the requirements for a Permit to Operate set forth in Section ...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Tattoo & Body Modification

Tattoo and body-art operators in unincorporated Ventura County must hold a permit or registration from the county's Environmental Health Division before working.

Ventura County Tattoo & Body Art Permits

Significant Restrictions

Ventura County Ordinance Code § 4568

Each person subject to the permit and/or registration requirements of MWMA, SBAA, or this Article shall obtain a permit and/or registration from the Environmental Health Division of the Resource Management Agency. No temporary body art facility may conduct business without a temporary body art facility permit. A sponsor of a temporary event that includes a body art demonstration booth must obta...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Secondhand Dealers

Operating a secondhand goods business in unincorporated Ventura County requires a Sheriff-issued license, a $100 annual fee, and daily reports of purchased goods to the Sheriff's office.

Ventura County Secondhand Dealer License

Some Restrictions

Ventura County Ordinance Code §§ 2323, 2328

2323 - Second-hand dealers. No person as a principal shall engage in the business of second-hand dealer without first obtaining a license therefor. ... 2328 - Fee. The fee for obtaining a second-hand dealer's license or pawnbroker's license is $100.00 per year.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Pawnbrokers

Pawnbrokers operating in unincorporated Ventura County must obtain a Sheriff-issued license, pay a $100 annual fee, and file daily reports on every pledge or purchase.

Ventura County Pawnbroker License Rules

Some Restrictions

Ventura County Ordinance Code §§ 2324, 2328

2324 - Pawnbrokers. No person as a principal shall engage in the business of pawnbroker without first obtaining a license therefor. ... 2328 - Fee. The fee for obtaining a second-hand dealer's license or pawnbroker's license is $100.00 per year.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Auto Repair on Residential Property

Unincorporated Ventura County bars running an auto repair business from a residential home occupation; it's a commercial-zone-only use requiring a CUP or PD permit.

Ventura County Home Auto Repair Ban

Significant Restrictions

Ventura County Ordinance Code § 8107-1.2; § 8105-5

8107-1.2 - Home occupations. On property containing a residential use, no commercial activity shall be construed as a valid accessory use to the residential use unless the activity falls within the definition and regulations of a home occupation, or the activity is authorized by a discretionary permit allowing commercial operations. Home occupations are permitted in accordance with the followi...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗