Long Beach is the second-largest city in Los Angeles County and home to the busiest container port complex in North America. That geographic reality shapes the local auto market in ways that make Long Beach uniquely attractive for new dealers. The Port of Los Angeles and Port of Long Beach combined process an enormous volume of imported vehicles – including fleet units, manufacturer overstock, and off-lease inventory that flows into regional auctions at competitive prices. Dealers based in Long Beach or nearby cities like Carson, Compton, and Lakewood are within a short drive of multiple major wholesale auction facilities and have direct access to some of the deepest vehicle pipelines in the western United States.
Long Beach's vehicle market is also diverse. The city's large working-class population generates strong demand for reliable used vehicles in the $8,000–$18,000 range – exactly where independent dealers tend to operate most profitably. At the same time, the city's walkable downtown, its growing professional class, and its proximity to South Bay beach cities create demand for newer, lower-mileage inventory. Long Beach supports retail lots, wholesale operations, and online dealer models, and the city's commercial corridors – particularly along Long Beach Boulevard, Pacific Coast Highway, and Cherry Avenue – offer a range of zoning-compliant properties that can satisfy DMV location requirements.
Getting licensed in Long Beach follows the same California process as anywhere else, but the city's Development Services department handles zoning and business permits independently from Los Angeles city. That means a separate business license application and a separate zoning verification process – both manageable, but important to get right before your DMV inspection. California Dealer Academy can walk you through exactly what Long Beach's DMV Occupational Licensing office expects to see.
Call us at 213-497-0955 for a free phone consultation. We'll answer your questions about zoning, DMV requirements, and what type of dealer license makes the most sense for your goals.
Here are the official offices and links you'll need to start your dealership in the Long Beach area:
Long Beach Planning Division opens in new window
Verify that your proposed address is in an approved commercial or industrial zone before signing a lease. Retail dealers typically need CG (General Commercial) or IL (Light Industrial) zoning. Contact the Planning Division to request a zoning confirmation letter for your DMV application.
Long Beach Business License Office opens in new window
All businesses operating within Long Beach city limits must register for a business license through the Finance Department. Long Beach issues its own business licenses independently from Los Angeles County.
LA County FBN Filing – County Clerk opens in new window
If your dealership will operate under a trade name (e.g., "Harbor Auto Sales"), you must file a fictitious business name (DBA) statement with Los Angeles County. Long Beach is within LA County for FBN purposes.
California Seller's Permit Registration opens in new window
Dealers who sell vehicles are required to hold a California Seller's Permit issued by the CDTFA. Registration is free and can be completed online.
FTB Field Offices opens in new window
300 S. Spring Street, Suite 5704If you plan to operate as a corporation or LLC, you'll need to register with the Franchise Tax Board. The nearest FTB field office to Long Beach is in downtown Los Angeles. Sole proprietors can skip this step.
Los Angeles OL Office
3615 S. Hope Street
Los Angeles, CA 90007
(213) 744-7563
Covina OL Office
1365 N. Grand Avenue, Suite 102
Covina, CA 91724
(626) 974-7140
Santa Ana OL Office
1330 E. 4th Street, Suite 100
Santa Ana, CA 92701
(714) 558-4169
Note: DMV Occupational Licensing is not at the standard DMV counter – enter through the main doors and proceed to the designated office area. Call ahead to confirm current hours before visiting.
California Dealer Academy
1655 E 6th St #108, Ste A5A, Corona, CA 92879
☎ 213-497-0955
Our team is available by phone and in person to help you navigate the Long Beach market.
Once you have your dealer license, you'll have access to wholesale dealer-only auctions where you can buy inventory at prices unavailable to the public. Long Beach dealers enjoy some of the best auction access in Southern California – the port's logistics infrastructure means a constant flow of fleet, off-lease, and imported units through nearby facilities:
241 E. Gardena Boulevard
Gardena, CA 90248
Manheim Los Angeles Auction opens in new window
Approximately 10 miles from Long Beach, the Gardena facility is one of the highest-volume wholesale auction locations in the western US. Multiple weekly sale lanes, fleet and lease returns, and online bidding via OVE.com.
2436 E. 223rd Street
Carson, CA 90810
Copart Carson/LA opens in new window
Just minutes from Long Beach, the Carson Copart facility runs weekly sales with salvage, clean title, and fleet vehicles. Port-area proximity means frequent availability of imported and fleet units at competitive prices.
23960 S. Wilmington Avenue
Carson, CA 90745
IAA Los Angeles Branch opens in new window
Insurance Auto Auctions operates weekly sales in Carson – one of the closest major auction facilities to Long Beach. Strong selection of insurance, fleet, and repo units. Licensed dealers can bid online or in person.
1700 Saturn Street
Palmdale, CA 93550
ADESA Los Angeles Auction opens in new window
ADESA's LA location runs large weekly dealer-only sales. Though farther north, many Long Beach dealers make the trip for ADESA's high-volume fleet and lease return pipeline and its online pre-auction bidding platform.
California requires all new dealer license applicants to complete a 6-hour pre-licensing course through an approved provider. California Dealer Academy is state-approved. Complete the course online at your own pace – no classroom commute required.
In the course you'll learn:
Already have your license? California requires dealers to complete continuing education before each renewal. Our renewal course is quick, fully online, and satisfies the DMV requirement.
Skip the guesswork. Our Deluxe Dealer Package guides you 1-on-1 through every step – from zoning research and DMV paperwork to bond, signage, and opening day. Ideal for first-time dealers in the Long Beach market.
Total startup costs typically range from $1,500 to $3,500+. This includes the DMV application fee ($175 for used vehicle dealers), a $10,000 surety bond (annual premium roughly $100–$200), a City of Long Beach business license fee, and your required pre-licensing education course ($99–$148 through California Dealer Academy). Retail dealers may have higher costs due to signage and zoning compliance.
Not necessarily. Wholesale dealer licenses do not require a display lot – only a commercial address that passes a DMV inspection. Wholesale dealers sell only to other dealers, not the public. Retail licenses require an approved lot or indoor showroom that meets Long Beach zoning and signage requirements.
Plan for 60–90 days from start to finish. The pre-licensing class takes 1–2 days online. Zoning and business license approval in Long Beach typically takes 3–6 weeks. After your location clears DMV inspection and your paperwork is submitted, your license and plates usually arrive within 2–4 weeks.
A retail dealer license allows you to sell vehicles directly to the public and requires an approved lot or showroom with DMV-compliant signage. A wholesale dealer license allows you to buy and sell only to other licensed dealers – no public sales and fewer location requirements. Many Long Beach dealers start wholesale and expand into retail as they grow.
Yes. California law requires all new dealer applicants to complete a 6-hour pre-licensing education course through a DMV-approved provider before the DMV will issue a license. California Dealer Academy is state-approved. The course is available online for $99 (self-paced) or $148 with a live Saturday webinar session.
No. Long Beach residential zones are not eligible for dealer license addresses. The DMV requires a commercially or industrially zoned location that passes a physical inspection. Even wholesale dealers operating without a display lot need a qualifying commercial address – a home address will not be approved.
Long Beach uses its own zoning code – not the City of Los Angeles code. Retail dealerships generally require CG (General Commercial) or IL (Light Industrial) zoning. Indoor showroom-only operations often receive zoning clearance faster than open-lot retail. The Long Beach Development Services Planning Division can issue a zoning confirmation letter, which the DMV may require as part of the location approval process.
PRO TIP: Long Beach has numerous industrial properties near the port and rail corridors that are well-suited for wholesale dealer operations and are typically straightforward to get through DMV inspection.
Long Beach dealers are among the best-positioned in SoCal for auction access. Manheim Los Angeles (Gardena), Copart Los Angeles (Carson), and IAA Los Angeles (Carson) are all within 10 miles. The port's constant vehicle flow means local auction inventory is deep and regularly refreshed with off-lease, fleet, and imported units.
At California Dealer Academy, we can help you with something as basic as completing your application to doing it for you from start to finish.
Feel free to call the owner directly to get more information.
Garrett Eddings 760-681-1757
Long Beach's port economy and deep auction access make it one of the best places in Southern California to launch a dealership. California Dealer Academy will help you get licensed, get compliant, and get buying.