Pomona occupies a unique geographic position at the eastern edge of Los Angeles County — touching the San Gabriel Valley to the west and the Inland Empire to the east. That location translates into a broad, multi-demographic vehicle market: college students and faculty from Cal Poly Pomona, working-class families, logistics and warehouse workers from the Ontario–Pomona industrial belt, and commuters who work in both the SGV and the IE. Affordable, reliable used vehicles — particularly trucks, sedans, and economy SUVs — are in consistent demand throughout the year.
For a new dealer, Pomona's commercial real estate offers a meaningful cost advantage over the westside LA market. Properties along Holt Avenue, Mission Boulevard, Garey Avenue, and in Pomona's established industrial corridors are available at rates well below Pasadena or the San Gabriel Valley's more expensive zip codes. Wholesale dealer licenses — requiring only a commercially zoned address — are a popular and practical starting point here, since they eliminate the need to secure and maintain a full retail lot. The City of Pomona's Planning Division handles zoning inquiries for new businesses, and staff are familiar with dealer-related permitting questions. Pomona's position on I-10 and SR-60 also gives licensed dealers efficient access to Manheim Southern California, Copart Rancho Cucamonga, and IAA facilities in the region.
California Dealer Academy has helped aspiring dealers across the LA–IE corridor get their licenses and build their businesses. We understand Pomona's commercial market, which DMV Occupational Licensing offices serve LA County and Riverside County dealers, and how to help you choose the right license type for your specific business goals.
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 Pomona area:
Pomona Planning Divisionopens in new window
Verify that your proposed location is properly zoned before signing a lease. Retail dealers typically need commercial or industrial zoning. Indoor display-only setups are often approved more easily.
Pomona Business License Officeopens in new window
All businesses operating within Pomona must register for a business tax registration certificate through the city's finance or business licensing office.
Los Angeles County FBN Filingopens in new window
If your dealership will operate under a trade name (e.g., "Pomona Valley Auto Sales"), you must file a fictitious business name (DBA) statement with Los Angeles County.
California Seller's Permit Registrationopens 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 Officesopens 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. Sole proprietors can skip this step.
Covina OL
1365 N. Grand Ave, Suite 102
Covina, CA 91724
(626) 974-7140
Los Angeles OL
3615 S. Hope Street
Los Angeles, CA 90007
(213) 744-7563
Riverside OL
3737 Main Street, Suite 400
Riverside, CA 92501
(951) 782-4060
Note: DMV Occupational Licensing is not at the standard DMV counter — enter through the main doors and proceed to the designated office area.
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 Pomona 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. Here are the major auction houses serving the Pomona area:
9620 Etiwanda Avenue
Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730
Copart Rancho Cucamongaopens in new window
The closest major Copart yard to Pomona — carrying insurance total-loss, repo, and fleet vehicles from throughout the Inland Empire and San Gabriel Valley. Excellent stock of trucks and SUVs. Bid online or in person.
2205 N. White Avenue
Pomona, CA 91768
IAA's Pomona location is right in the city — a genuine advantage for local dealers. Handles salvage, repo, and clean-title inventory from LA County and Inland Empire insurers and fleet operators. Bid online or attend weekly sales in person.
10700 Riverside Drive
Mira Loma, CA 91752
Manheim Southern Californiaopens in new window
One of the West's largest Manheim facilities, with weekly wholesale sales and deep inventory from dealer trades, fleet, and off-lease. Accessible from Pomona via I-10 or SR-60. Online bidding via OVE.com for out-of-lane buying.
1405 S. Claudina Street
Anaheim, CA 92805
ADESA Los Angelesopens in new window
ADESA Los Angeles in Anaheim offers weekly wholesale dealer auctions with a broad domestic and import inventory mix. Accessible from Pomona via SR-57 or online through ADESA DealerBlock for remote bidding convenience.
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 Pomona market.
Total startup costs typically range from $1,200 to $2,800. This includes the DMV application fee ($175 for used vehicle dealers), a $10,000 surety bond (annual premium roughly $100–$200), Pomona city business license fees, any zoning permits, and your required pre-licensing education course ($99–$148). Pomona's commercial rents are more competitive than western LA County — an advantage for dealers managing startup overhead at the LA–IE crossroads.
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 Pomona zoning and signage requirements.
Plan for 45–90 days from start to finish. The pre-licensing class takes 1–2 days online. Zoning and location approval typically takes 3–6 weeks. After DMV paperwork is submitted to the Covina, Los Angeles, or Riverside Occupational Licensing office, your dealer plates and license typically arrive within 2–4 weeks.
A retail dealer license allows you to sell vehicles directly to the public and requires an approved display lot and DMV-compliant signage. A wholesale dealer license allows you to buy and sell only to other licensed dealers — no public sales. Wholesale licenses have fewer location requirements, making them a popular starting point in Pomona.
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.
Generally no. Residential zones in Pomona are not approved for dealer license addresses — the DMV requires a commercially or industrially zoned location that passes an on-site inspection. Pomona has solid commercial and light-industrial availability along Holt Avenue, Mission Boulevard, and the industrial corridors near the 10 and 60 freeways, making it practical to secure a compliant dealer address at manageable LA County rates.
In Pomona, auto dealerships are generally permitted in General Commercial (CG) and industrial zones. Retail dealers need a properly zoned lot with DMV-compliant display space and signage. Wholesale dealers have more flexibility. Contact the City of Pomona Planning Divisionopens in new window to verify zoning for a specific parcel before signing a lease.
Pomona dealers are well-positioned for regional auction access. IAA Pomona is right in town. Copart Rancho Cucamonga is nearby for salvage and repo inventory. Manheim Southern California in Mira Loma runs large weekly wholesale sales via I-10. ADESA Los Angeles in Anaheim is accessible via SR-57. Online platforms — OVE.com and ADESA DealerBlock — let you buy nationally without leaving Pomona.
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
Whether you're planning a used car dealership on Holt Avenue, a wholesale operation near the Pomona Fairplex corridor, or a dealership serving both the San Gabriel Valley and the Inland Empire — California Dealer Academy has the course and the expertise to get you licensed.