For the safety and comfort of residents and visitors to the city of Stockton, a permit is required for all hotels and motels.  The permit process ensures that all hotels/motels are operated in a professional, clean, and safe manner.

Hotel/Motel Permits

Each hotel & motel within the city of Stockton must have Permit to Operate and each person behind the counter must have a Managers Permit. The Permit to Operate is for the property. The Managers Permit is for the people running the business.  The permitting process starts with the filling out of an application form.

Permit to Operate

Applications are available at the Neighborhood Services Office at 22 East Weber Avenue on the 3rd floor.  Click here if you'd like downloadable Permit to Operate application forms (pdf file). Permits to Operate are good for one year and an application form along with an invoice will be sent to the owner of record one month prior to permit expiration. The application has three parts: a 3-page application form, a Police Clearance form and a Live Scan fingerprint form for new managers and owners. The Live Scan for fingerprints is not needed for renewal applications.

In addition to the application, a copy of your business license, a current pest control invoice, a copy of your management plan (if the City doesn’t already have a copy), a copy of a current state-issued identification (i.e., driver license, passport, etc.), and two passport photos of the applicant must be submitted.  The City will not accept incomplete application packets. Please note,  a copy of your management plan must be submitted with every permit to operate application. Be sure to answer each question and ask for help if necessary.

When you turn in the application, you will need to pay the Permit to Operate Fee with an imprinted check (with the business name on it).  The fee varies depending on the size of the hotel/motel.  The invoiced amount includes a background investigation fee required by the City for anyone working with the public.  It may take several months for the background investigation.  The receipt that you are given will act as your temporary  Permit to Operate until you receive the actual permit in the mail.

Managers Permit

The people who run the business of the hotel/motel are the managers.  Each manager employed by the hotel or motel is required to have a Managers Permit which is renewed annually.  A permitted manager must be on the premises of all hotels and motels 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

The Managers Permit application includes a two-page application form, Police Clearance form, and Live Scan fingerprint form. Click here if you'd like downloadable Managers application forms (pdf file). Again, the Live Scan fingerprints are not needed for renewal managers.

The application must be accompanied by an imprinted check for the permit fee, a copy of a current state-issued identification (i.e., driver license, passport, etc.) and two passport photos.  While the permit is being processed, the receipt acts as the temporary permit.

Approval Process

Your application for a Permit to Operate is reviewed and investigated by the Neighborhood Services Section and other sections of the Police Department, the Fire Department, County Health, and the City Health Officer.  Each of these reviewers makes a recommendation to issue or deny the permit.  Their recommendations are taken into consideration before the Hotel/Motel Advisory Committee who make the final decision.

The decision of the Hotel/Motel Advisory Committee can be appealed and heard before an Administrative Hearing Officer.  Appeal forms can be obtained from the Neighborhood Services Section.  There is an appeal fee.

Manager Training

New managers are required to attend an eight-hour training session on hotel standards, safety, and compliance with City codes.  The City offers this manager training course once a year and will contact all new managers with the date.

The only additional training required for renewal managers is a two-hour refresher course every year.  Again, the City will offer this class once a year and will contact managers with  the date.

If you have any questions regarding the City’s Hotel/Motel Program, please call 937-8952 or e-mail us at:

Almarosa.Vargas@ci.stockton.ca.us