Commercial Code Compliance

The Community Improvement Department strives to improve the quality of life for City residents and visitors by implementing programs designed to preserve property values and neighborhood safety. This includes focusing on the City's commercial properties and centers. We accomplish this by proactively educating property and business owners on the benefits of voluntary property upkeep and municipal code compliance of commercial properties.

Abandoned Shopping Carts

Abandoned shopping carts constitute a nuisance, create safety hazards, cause blight, and interfere with pedestrian and vehicular traffic within the City of Ontario. The accumulation of wrecked, dismantled, and abandoned shopping carts on public or private property also tends to create conditions that reduce property values, promoting blight and deterioration in the City.

To report an abandoned shopping cart, contact Cart Retrieval Inc. at (800) 889-4350

Business Signage

Chapter 8 of the Ontario Development Code regulates business signage throughout the City. The City places regulations on business signage to maintain the attractiveness of the City and to protect the health, safety and welfare of residents from hazards resulting from improper, excessive, distracting and otherwise unsafe signage.

In the City's continued effort to enhance community appearance, the Community Improvement Department proactively addresses unpermitted and prohibited signage throughout the City through education and enforcement, if necessary.

The quickest way to get your signs and other exterior alterations (exterior lights, awnings, paint color, etc.) approved is to check in first with the Planning Department by calling (909) 395-2026.

Prohibited and Unsafe Signage includes:

Vehicle-mounted billboards
Signs on rooftops
Signs affixed to, or painted on, a rock, tree, or any other natural feature
Human signs, wavers and twirlers
Any sandwich board, “A” frame sign, or other portable sign
Signs that float in the air, such as signs affixed to, or printed on, hot air balloons, helium balloons, or kites, inflated signs, and any other type of aerial sign
Signs in the Public RIght Of Way

Unpermitted stationary signs
Rotating, revolving or moving signs
Banner signs
Windows with neon or LED borders
"Swooper" or flag signs
Signs obstructing traffic or sight lines at intersections
Excessive window signs
Unmaintained signs
Abandoned Signs

The Economic Development Department has multiple resources available to assist business owners with promoting their businesses.

Business Licensing

Business licensing is essential to enhancing the quality of life for City residents and visitors, as well as preserving property values and neighborhood safety. Business licensing ensures businesses meet City operating standards, health codes, and environmental regulations. It also prevents problems such as excessive noise, foul odors, excessive visitor parking, and incompatible business uses from affecting our neighborhoods.

A City of Ontario business license is required before conducting business within the City, whether it is in a commercial setting or a home-based business. To apply for a business license, contact the Ontario Business License Department at (909) 395-2022.

The Community Improvement Department proactively addresses City businesses that are unlicensed, or operating on an expired license, through education and enforcement if necessary.