Torrance Municipal Code Art. 18 Miscellaneous Business

(Amended by O-1502; O-3033; O-3170; O-3229; O-3354; O-3358)

Subject to the provisions of Section 31.2.16, a license tax shall be payable for operating any apartment house, bungalow court, court, hotel, motel, rooming house or other multiple dwelling place, or for engaging in the business of renting or letting rooms or other accommodations for dwelling, sleeping or lodging, which contains three (3) or more such units. The license tax for engaging in such business shall be $15.00* per year for each non-owner occupied unit, which tax may be prorated as provided in Section 31.2.12.

(Amended by O-3170; O-3229; O-3354; O-3364)

The license tax for carrying on the business of an arcade shall be $146.00* per year plus applicable tax for each vending machine on the premises. A license tax shall be payable under this Section for carrying on the business of operating or exhibiting or letting the use of any shooting gallery, microscope, lung tester, muscle tester, galvanic battery, weighing machine, or any other type of machine which offers any service or amusement.

(Amended by O-3170; O-3229; O-3354; O-3364)

The license tax for carrying on the business of boxing and wrestling exhibitions shall be $146.0012 per day. No contest or exhibition of boxing or wrestling shall be licensed under this Division until an application for permit has been filed with the License Supervisor and approved by the Chief of Police.

(Added by O-183; Amended by O-1565; O-1725; O-2129; O-2255)

No person shall be granted a license to operate any circus, carnival, rodeo, itinerant show or amusement ride unless the following conditions are met:

a) The application for a permit shall disclose:

1. The owner, whether sole owner, partnership, corporation or other form of organization.

2. The position of the applicant whether owner, partner, officer of a corporation or agent of the owner.

3. The names of all partners or joint owners or the names of the President, Secretary and Treasurer, if it is a corporation.

4. The home address of the owner or owners with a banking reference.

b) A plan of the layout including the placement of all structures and equipment and their contemplated use has been prepared by the applicant, presented to the License Supervisor and approved by him.

c) The applicant has submitted to the License Supervisor a policy of insurance naming the City of Torrance and all elected and appointed officers and employees as additional assureds when acting in their official capacity, in the amount of One Million Dollars ($1,000,000).

d) The applicant has posted a One Thousand Dollar ($1,000) bond to guarantee all charges or fees due the City, to guarantee pay for the services of a City inspector if an inspector’s presence is required by the License Supervisor; to guarantee pay for any cleanup costs created by the failure of the applicant to clean up the site; to guarantee pay for any damages to City property, and to guarantee compensation for any other costs to the City as a result of granting the permit.

e) That the site is in a commercial, manufacturing or industrial zone, or on public property and adequate parking areas are available which do not in any manner impair or interfere with the percentage area requirements with regard to parking in the zone in which it is located.

f) The applicant has, if required by the License Supervisor, supplied the License Supervisor with the following regarding his employees:

1. Whether or not an employee has been convicted of a crime other than misdemeanor traffic violations.

2. The names and addresses of persons having employed his employees for the three (3) years last past.

3. The fingerprints of his employees.

4. The date of birth, physical description, social security number and drivers license number of each employee.

(Added by O-1565; Amended by O-1725; O-21295; O-3170; O-3229; O-3354; O-3360; O-3364)

The license tax for itinerant carnivals, circuses, rodeos, or itinerant shows or amusement rides shall be $870.00* for the first day and $506.00* for each additional day, plus any building, health or other fees which may be required by law. The license tax shall be payable under this Article only if an admission fee is charged, and if said exhibition or entertainment is conducted, managed or carried out by a person having no regularly established place of business in the City, provided that the License Supervisor may grant a no-fee license to a charitable organization as provided for in Section 31.6.4.

(Amended by O-3170; O-3229; O-3354; O-3364)

The license tax for carrying on the business of caterer, other than vehicle, shall be $146.00* per year, or $26.0013 per day.

(Amended by O-3170; O-3229; O-3354; O-3364)

The license tax for carrying on the business of a check cashing service shall be $285.00* per year.

(Amended by O-1250; O-1725; O-2129; O-2288; O-3170; O-3229; O-3354; O-3364)

a) The license tax for carrying on the business of operating a day nursery or any similar or related child care activity, in the home, shall be $79.00* per year for four (4) or less children or $146.00* per year for five (5) or more children.

b) This Section shall not apply to State licensed foster homes which are hereby exempt from the license tax, provided that a no fee license is required to be issued by the License Review Board.

(Amended by O-1586; O-1587: O-1725; O-2129; O-3229; O-3354; O-3364)

The license tax for holding or conducting public dances where an admission fee is charged shall be $447.00* per year or $52.00* per night. Nothing in this Section shall be deemed or construed to require the holder of a license to conduct the business of a public dance hall to produce any additional license to conduct a dancing academy or school in the event that such dancing academy is conducted at the same location and under the same management as said public dance hall.

(Amended by O-1586; O-1587: O-1725; O-2129; O-3170; O-3229; O-3354; O-3364)

The license tax for holding or displaying live entertainment other than piano or organ playing in places where alcoholic beverages are sold shall be $237.00* per year in addition to any other applicable fee. Alcoholic beverage shall include all beverages so defined by Section 23004 of the Business and Professions Code.

(Amended by O-1586; O-1587; O-1725; O-2129; O-3170; O-3229; O-3354; O-3364)

Where dancing or piano or organ playing is conducted for patrons only on premises where alcoholic beverages are sold, and no admission fee or fee for dancing is charged or received, the license fee shall be $163.00* for such license in addition to any other applicable fee.

(Amended by O-3170; O-3229; O-3354; O-3364)

The license tax for carrying on the business of a delivery service, other than a wholesale or retail route, shall be $111.00* per year. A license tax shall be payable under this Section for running, driving or operating any automobile, automobile truck or other motor-propelled vehicle used for the delivery of parcels, wares or merchandise.

(Amended by O-3229; O-3354; O-3364)

a) The license tax for carrying on the business of exhibitions or shows shall be $32.0014 per day.

b) Exhibitions or shows shall mean the operating of any alligator, ostrich or wild animal farm or exhibition; or any exhibition of freaks, animals, fish, electrical phenomena, pictures, paintings, glass blowing, mirrors or any fun house, maze, aquarium or any other exhibition or show of a similar character.

1. Conducting or operating any house or garden exhibition;

2. Conducting any cat, dog, livestock or poultry show or exhibition;

3. Conducting any exhibition of crafts;

4. Any lecture, entertainment, show or exhibition not otherwise specifically provided for in this Division where a fee is charged, received or collected, or where donations are solicited or accepted.

(Amended by O-2288; O-2843; O-2872; O-3170; O-3229; O-3354; O-3364)

a) The license tax for carrying on the business of making motion or television pictures or for conducting radio or television broadcasts for purposes other than news reporting shall be:

1. Use of public property (except Airport) - $344.00* for the first day and $178.00* per day thereafter.

2. Use of private property exclusively - $158.00* for the first day and $48.00* per day thereafter.

b) The license tax for engaging in the business of commercial still photography, either at a fixed place of business or at various sites within the City on an appointment or as-necessary basis, shall be $111.00* per calendar year.

c) No license tax shall be required of any of the following:

1. Any still photography, motion picture, radio or television production, determined by the License Review Board to be conducted or carried on wholly for a charitable or educational purpose or as a public service.

2. Any activity relating to the reporting or dissemination of current news as such is described in subsection 1) of subsection b) of Section 310.1.1. of this Code.

d) The requirements of this Section shall be in addition to the requirements of Chapter 10 of this Division (commencing with Section 310.1.1.).

e) Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to relieve any person of the duty of paying appropriate fees for use of the Torrance Municipal Airport as set out on the currently effective resolution regarding Airport rates and charges in addition to the license tax prescribed herein.

The license tax for carrying on the business of a rummage sale shall be $3.00* per day.

(Amended by O-2363; O-3170; O-3229; O-3354; O-3364)

The license tax for carrying on the business of sewing and alterations in the home, shall be $79.0015 per year.

(Amended by O-3137)

No license shall be issued for any temporary highway or street stand; provided, however, nothing in this Division shall be construed so as to prohibit the sale of produce from a temporary stand when said produce is raised at the same location, or when such stand is operated as part of the City-sponsored Certified Farmers’ Market.

(Amended by O-3170; O-3229; O-3354; O-3364)

The license tax for carrying on the business of a theatre concessions stand shall be $38.00* per year.

(Amended by O-3229; O-3354; O-3364)

The license tax for carrying on the business of presenting theatrical performances shall be $32.00* per performance.

(Amended by O-1107; O-1438; O-3170; O-3229; O-3354; O-3358)

The license tax for carrying on the business of trailer, auto and trailer parks shall be $51.00* per space per year.

(Amended by O-2363; O-3170; O-3229; O-3354; O-3364)

The license tax for carrying on the business of trailer or equipment rental, non-resident, shall be $65.00* per year per location. A license tax shall be payable under this Section where trailers or equipment are not owned by a person or firm having an established place of business in the City, but are placed in established places of business on commission, lease, rental or consignment basis, and are incidental to licensed places of business.

(Amended by O-3170; O-3229; O-3354; O-3364)

The license tax for carrying on the business of renting or selling beach umbrellas, beach chairs, surf boards or other beach or surf paraphernalia shall be $48.00* a quarter year.

(Amended by O-2363; O-3170; O-3229; O-3354; O-3364)

The license tax for carrying on the business of a voice teacher or music teacher, in the home, shall be $79.00* per year.

(Amended by O-3170; O-3229; O-3354; O-3364)

The license tax for carrying on the business of operating armored trucks shall be $158.0016 per year per vehicle.

(Amended by O-3170; O-3229; O-3354; O-3364)

The license tax for carrying on the business of barber supply delivery shall be $112.00* per year per vehicle.

(Amended by O-3170; O-3229; O-3354; O-3364)

The license tax for carrying on the business of a beverage delivery route shall be $112.0017 per year per vehicle.

(Amended by O-3170; O-3229; O-3354; O-3364)

The license tax for carrying on the business of butane tank installation and maintenance shall be $112.00* per year per vehicle.

(Amended by O-3170; O-3229; O-3354; O-3364)

The license tax for carrying on the business of ready mix delivery of concrete shall be $267.00* per year.

(Amended by O-3170; O-3229; O-3354; O-3364)

The license tax for carrying on the business of a dry cleaning route shall be $112.00* per year per vehicle.

(Amended by O-3229; O-3354; O-3364)

The license tax for carrying on the business of an egg route shall be $112.00* per year per vehicle.

(Amended by O-3170; O-3229; O-3354; O-3364)

The license tax for carrying on the business of a retail, mobile grocery route shall be $158.00* per year per vehicle.

(Amended by O-3170; O-3229; O-3354; O-3364)

The license tax for carrying on the business of an ice and fuel route shall be $112.00* per year per vehicle.

(Amended by O-3170; O-3229; O-3354; O-3364)

The license tax for carrying on the business of a laundry route shall be $158.00* per year per vehicle.

(Amended by O-3170; O-3229; O-3354; O-3364)

a) The license tax for carrying on the business of a linen supply route shall be $158.0018 per year per vehicle.

b) Linen supply shall mean the business of furnishing or letting the use of any towels, linens, aprons, bedding, napkins, table covers, or any other article of personal property of a similar nature, for use by such customers, for a fee or charge, where such customer does not own the linen, towels or other personal property so furnished whether or not such business is conducted in conjunction with any other business or businesses.

(Amended by O-3170; O-3229; O-3354; O-3364)

The license tax for carrying on the business of any lunch or refreshment wagon in or upon any public street or upon any unenclosed area, vacant lot or parcel of land shall be $158.00* per year per vehicle.

(Amended by O-2156; O-3170; O-3229; O-3354; O-3364)

The license tax for carrying on the business of trucking and hauling shall be $112.00* per year, per vehicle; provided however, that after January 1, 1971, no license tax shall be assessed upon the inter-city transportation business of any express corporation, freight forwarding motor transportation broker, or person or corporation, owning or operating motor vehicles in the transportation of property for hire upon the public highways where both the origin point and the destination point of such transported property are not within the exterior boundaries of the City of Torrance.

(Amended by O-3170; O-3229; O-3354; O-3364)

The license tax for carrying on the business of a retail vegetable and produce route shall be $112.00* per year per vehicle.

(Amended by O-3170; O-3229; O-3354; O-3364)

The license tax for carrying on the business of a bottled water route shall be $112.00* per year per vehicle.

(Amended by O-3170; O-3229; O-3354; O-3364)

The license tax for carrying on the business of installation and maintenance of water softeners shall be $112.00* per year per vehicle.

(Amended by O-3170; O-3229; O-3354; O-3364)

The license tax for carrying on the business of awning installation and maintenance shall be $112.00* per year.

(Amended by O-3170; O-3229; O-3354; O-3364)

The license tax for carrying on the business of building maintenance shall be $79.00* per year.

(Amended by O-1501; O-3170; O-3229; O-3354; O-3364)

The license tax for carrying on the business of carpet installation shall be $146.00* per year.

(Amended by O-3170; O-3229; O-3354; O-3364)

The license tax for carrying on the business of a carpenter shall be $146.0019 per year.

(Amended by O-3170; O-3229; O-3354; O-3364)

The license tax for carrying on the business of cleaning and maintenance of cesspools shall be $146.00* per year.

(Amended by O-1501; O-3170; O-3229; O-3354; O-3364)

The license tax for carrying on the business of cutlery grinding shall be $79.00* per year.

(Amended by O-3170; O-3229; O-3354; O-3364)

The license tax for carrying on the business of driveway seal coating shall be $146.00* per year.

(Amended by O-3170; O-3229; O-3354; O-3364)

The license tax for carrying on the business of electrical maintenance shall be $146.00* per year.

(Amended by O-3170; O-3229; O-3354; O-3364)

The license tax for carrying on the business of elevator maintenance and repair shall be $146.00* per year.

(Amended by O-3170; O-3229; O-3354; O-3364)

The license tax for carrying on the business of fence installation shall be $146.00* per year.

(Amended by O-3170; O-3229; O-3354; O-3364)

The license tax for carrying on the business of installation and maintenance of fire extinguishers shall be $146.00* per year.

(Amended by O-3170; O-3229; O-3354; O-3364)

The license tax for carrying on the business of gardener maintenance shall be $79.00* per year.

(Amended by O-3170; O-3229; O-3354; O-3364)

The license tax for carrying on the business of house wrecking shall be $146.00* per year.

(Amended by O-1501; O-3170; O-3229; O-3354; O-3364)

The license tax for carrying on the business of house cleaning shall be $79.00* per year.

(Amended by O-3170; O-3229; O-3354; O-3364)

The license tax for carrying on the business of installation and repair of intercom systems shall be $146.00* per year.

(Amended by O-1501; O-3170; O-3229; O-3354; O-3364)

The license tax for carrying on the business of a janitor service shall be $79.00* per year.

(Amended by O-3170; O-3229; O-3354; O-3364)

The license tax for carrying on the business of an oil well drilling contractor shall be $146.00* per year.

(Amended by O-3170; O-3229; O-3354; O-3364)

The license tax for carrying on the business of an oil well service and well pulling service shall be $146.00* per year.

(Amended by O-1501; O-1725; O-3170; O-3229; O-3354; O-3364)

The license tax for carrying on the business of a painter shall be $146.00* per year.

(Amended by O-3170; O-3229; O-3354; O-3364)

The license tax for operating the business of pest control, other than state licensed, shall be $146.0020 per year.

(Amended by O-1501; O-1725; O-3170; O-3229; O-3354; O-3364)

The license tax for carrying on the business of the installation and service of screens on windows and doors shall be $146.00* per year.

(Amended by O-2363; O-3170; O-3229; O-3354; O-3364)

The license tax for carrying on the business of swimming pool maintenance shall be $79.00* per year.

(Amended by O-3170; O-3229; O-3354; O-3364)

The license tax for carrying on the business of installation and maintenance of portable toilets shall be $206.00* per year.

(Amended by O-1501; O-1725; O-3170; O-3229; O-3354; O-3364)

The license tax for carrying on the business of a tree trimmer shall be $146.00* per year.

(Amended by O-1501; O-3170; O-3229; O-3354; O-3364)

The license tax for carrying on the business of window cleaning shall be $79.00* per year.

(Added by O-2363; O-3170; O-3229; O-3354; O-3364)

The license tax for carrying on the business of mobile repair service shall be $79.00* per year.

(Added by O-2363; O-3170; O-3229; O-3354; O-3364)

The license tax for carrying on a transient business as described in Section 31.1.8. shall be $62.00* per quarter or fractional part thereof, or at the option of the licensee which may not be revoked as to any period for which tax has been paid, $24.00* per day.

(Amended by O-3229; O-3354; O-3364)

The license tax for carrying on the business of peddler shall be $24.00* per day.

(Added by O-2894; O-3170; O-3229; O-3354; O-3364)

The license tax for carrying on the business of hypnotist shall be $138.00* per year, plus $29.0021 per employee per year.

(Added by O-2894)

No license shall be issued under the provisions of this Article:

a) Until the applicant has furnished the Revenue Administrator with a statement, or application containing the following information:

1. Name and address of applicant and place of the proposed business;

2. Name and address of the person for whom applicant will work, if any;

3. Record of convictions for violations of the law, except minor traffic violations, but not excluding driving under the influence of alcoholic beverages or drugs or reckless driving resulting in injury to others;

4. Name and address of persons for whom the applicant has worked for the past five (5) years;

5. Name and address of three (3) responsible persons who have known the applicant for more than three (3) years;

6. Fingerprints of the applicant;

7. Proof of registration by a hypnotists organization approved by the Office of Private Post Secondary Education, of the California Department of Education, pursuant to Section 94311 (d) of the California Education Code, and membership in at least one (1) statewide or nationwide organization of professional hypnotists;

8. Such other information as the Revenue Administrator may deem necessary; and

b) Until the following conditions have been met:

1. The application has been reviewed by the Chief of Police, and a report has been submitted to the License Review Board, recommending approval or denial. Such report shall be prepared and submitted by the Chief of Police within thirty (30) days of receipt of the application from the Revenue Administrator;

2. That the License Review Board, after a hearing at which all interested parties have been heard, finds and determines that:

a) The applicant meets the qualifications set forth herein;

b) The business or practice proposed by the applicant shall be conducted in accordance with the provisions of Section 45.6.25. of the Torrance Municipal Code;

c) The recommendation submitted by the Chief of Police has been reviewed and considered;

d) Issuance of a license to the applicant will not be detrimental to the public health, safety, morals or general welfare.

(Added by O-2976; Amended by O-3171)

a) The license tax for the operation of a pumpkin lot shall be Eight Dollars ($8.00)22 per day;

b) The License Supervisor shall supply each license applicant with both the business license application form and the application forms for any permit required by Division 8 of this Code;

c) The applicant shall file with the License Supervisor all completed permit and license application forms along with the permit fees;

d) At the time all application forms are filed, the applicant shall provide the License Supervisor with a Five Hundred Dollar ($500.00)* cash deposit, which shall be refunded if the premises have been cleaned to the reasonable satisfaction of the Environmental Division Administrator by November 10th, which immediately follows the October 31st that ends the sales period for which the security deposit was collected.

(Added by O-3087; O-3354; O-3364)

The license fee for fortune-telling shall be Six Hundred Forty-Two Dollars ($642.00)* per year, subject to the provisions of Section 31.2.16.

(Added by O-3102; O-3354; O-3364)

The license fee for an escort bureau shall be Six Hundred Forty-Two Dollars ($642.00)* per year, and for each person employed in said bureau, the license fee shall be One Hundred Thirty-One Dollars ($131.00)* per year.

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1

Fees increased/decreased pursuant to Section 31.2.16.

2

Fees increased/decreased pursuant to Section 31.2.16.

3

Fees increased/decreased pursuant to Section 31.2.16.

4

Fees increased/decreased pursuant to Section 31.2.16.

5

Fees increased/decreased pursuant to Section 31.2.16.

6

Fees increased/decreased pursuant to Section 31.2.16.

7

Fees increased/decreased pursuant to Section 31.2.16.

8

Fees increased/decreased pursuant to Section 31.2.16.

9

Fees increased/decreased pursuant to Section 31.2.16.

10

Fees increased/decreased pursuant to Section 31.2.16 per year.

11

Fees increased/decreased pursuant to Section 31.2.16 shall be paid for every oil or gas well hole, whether producing or not.

12

Fees increased/decreased pursuant to Section 31.2.16.

13

Fees increased/decreased pursuant to Section 31.2.16.

14

Fees increased/decreased pursuant to Section 31.2.16.

15

Fees increased/decreased pursuant to Section 31.2.16.

16

Fees increased/decreased pursuant to Section 31.2.16.

17

Fees increased/decreased pursuant to Section 31.2.16.

18

Fees increased/decreased pursuant to Section 31.2.16.

19

Fees increased/decreased pursuant to Section 31.2.16.

20

Fees increased/decreased pursuant to Section 31.2.16.

21

Fees increased/decreased pursuant to Section 31.2.16.

22

Fees increased/decreased pursuant to Section 31.2.16.