Special Permits
Certain business activities may require a special permit. A complete list of business activities requiring a special permit is provided below to help you determine if your business needs a special permit.
Special Permit Applications must be submitted in-person in the Finance Department, located on the first floor of City Hall. A police background check may be required for some business activities.
If you have any questions regarding the application or permit fees, please contact the Business License Division at 310-253-5870
Complete list of business activities requiring a special permit
| Ambulance Service |
Lecture/Ltd Time Performance (open to the public) |
| Animal Show w/ Admission |
Limousine Service |
| Arcade |
Locksmith |
| Art/Antique Show-Promoter |
Massage Tech /Acupressure |
| Art/Antique Show-Vendors |
Massage/Acupressure Facility |
| Auction House Auctioneer |
Newspaper (fee) |
| Auto Parking Lot |
Parade |
| Auto Parking Service (Valet) |
Pawnbroker |
| Beer Bar |
Pool Hall |
| Billiard Hall |
Radio Station |
| Bowling Alley |
Recycling |
| Bridge Card Room |
Rentals/Motor Vehicles |
| Bus Service |
Rentals-Personal Property |
| Car Wash |
Rest/Retirement Home |
| Carnival |
Restaurant serving beer/wine/alcohol |
| Catering Truck |
Sales Broker-Used Merchandise |
| Charitable Bingo |
Salvage Dealer/Collector |
| Charitable solicitation |
Sanitarium/Convalescent Hospital |
| Check Cashing Service |
Security Guards/Detective |
| Christmas Tree/Sales |
Sidewalk/Rummage Sale |
| Closeout/Bankruptcy sale |
Solicitation/Canvassing |
| Cocktail Bar |
Special Event (Vendors) |
| Computer Services (On-Line/Credit Card) |
Street Vendor-Non Motor |
| Curb Painting |
Tanning Facility |
| Dancing/Soft Drink Establishment |
Tattoo Parlor |
| Dismantling/Wrecking Yard |
Telephone 900 Service |
| Employment/Talent Agency |
Telephone Solicitation |
| Finance/Escrow Service |
Theater |
| Fortune Teller |
Ticket Sales |
| Funeral Parlor/Mortuary |
Towing Service |
| Golf Course/Drive Range |
Trade Show-Promoter |
| Handbill Distributor |
Trade Show-Vendors |
| Health Club/Physical Training |
Travel Agency |
| Hospital |
Used Computer Sales |
| Hypnotherapy |
Used Merchandise Sales |
| Ice/roller Skating Rink |
Used Motor Vehicle Sales |
| Import/Export |
Vehicle Fleet Sales |
| Impound Yard |
Vending/Amusement Machines |
| In-Home Health Care |
Veterinarian/Animal Hospital |
| Klieg Lights/Advertising |
Wedding Chapel |
Special Event Permits
All events open to the public require a permit from the City. Special Permit Applications must be submitted in-person in the Finance Department, located on the first floor of City Hall. All special event permit applications must be submitted no later than three weeks prior to the event date or the permit may be denied.
You can download an event special permit application form here(PDF, 197KB).
If you have any questions regarding the application or permit fees, please contact the Business License Division at 310-253-5870.
Yard Sales
In order to have a yard sale, individuals must apply for and be issued a no-fee permit by the City. Permits may be issued once every six months and can not be longer than three consecutive days or four days consisting of Saturday and Sunday on two consecutive weekends.
You can apply for a Yard Sales Permit online, or in-person in the Finance Department, located on the first floor of City Hall.
If you have any questions regarding the application, please contact the Business License Division at 310-253-5870.
Information Cards
An information card shows the public that an organization seeking to solicit donation of funds, goods, or services in support of a charitable purpose has filed with the City the required notice of intention to solicit. An information card is not an endorsement by the city of either the organization or the charitable purpose for which the solicitation is being conducted.