Ontario, California sits at the geographic center of the Inland Empire — bounded by Rancho Cucamonga to the north, Fontana to the east, Chino to the south, and Upland to the northwest. With Ontario International Airport serving millions of passengers annually and the surrounding region home to one of the largest warehouse and distribution networks in the nation, the city attracts a broad, economically active population that generates consistent vehicle demand. Work trucks, practical SUVs, and affordable sedans are the staples of the Ontario used car market — and the buying pool extends across all of western San Bernardino County.
Ontario is one of the Inland Empire's best markets for new dealers from a cost-of-entry standpoint. The city has abundant commercial and industrial real estate — particularly in the airport industrial corridor along Archibald Avenue, Haven Avenue, and the Milliken Avenue corridor — at rates significantly below LA County. The City of Ontario's Planning Division handles zoning verification; their staff can confirm whether a given commercial or industrial parcel is eligible for vehicle dealer use before you sign a lease. Many new dealers in Ontario launch with a wholesale license from an industrial unit, building capital and inventory experience before stepping into a retail operation.
California Dealer Academy serves dealers throughout the Inland Empire and has helped many Ontario-area applicants through the licensing process. We know the Riverside and San Bernardino DMV Occupational Licensing offices, the regional auction landscape, and the zoning framework that governs San Bernardino County dealerships. We're here to guide you every step of the way.
Call us at 951-963-3223 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 Ontario area:
Ontario Community Development – Planningopens 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.
Ontario Business License Officeopens in new window
All businesses operating within Ontario must register for a business tax registration certificate through the city's finance or business licensing office.
San Bernardino County FBN Filingopens in new window
If your dealership will operate under a trade name (e.g., "Ontario Motor Group"), you must file a fictitious business name (DBA) statement with San Bernardino 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
303 W. 3rd St, Suite 600If 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.
Riverside OL
3737 Main St Suite 400
Riverside, CA 92501
(951) 782-4060
San Bernardino OL
303 W. 3rd St
San Bernardino, CA 92401
(909) 383-4669
Covina OL
1365 N. Grand Ave Suite 102
Covina, CA 91724
(626) 974-7140
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
☎ 951-963-3223
Our team is available by phone and in person to help you navigate the Ontario 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 Ontario area:
9670 Etiwanda Ave
Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91739
Copart Rancho Cucamongaopens in new window
Copart Rancho Cucamonga is just minutes from Ontario via the 15 freeway, offering a large selection of salvage and clean-title vehicles from insurers and fleet operators throughout the Inland Empire.
510 W. Rialto Ave
Rialto, CA 92376
Insurance Auto Auctions Rialto is easily accessible from Ontario, carrying total-loss, salvage, and repo vehicles from insurers across San Bernardino and Riverside counties. Licensed dealers can bid online or on-site.
1501 N. Batavia St
Orange, CA 92867
Manheim Southern California Auctionopens in new window
Manheim Southern California in Orange runs large weekly wholesale sales with thousands of off-lease, fleet, and dealer trade vehicles. Accessible from Ontario via the 60 or 10 freeway west. Online bidding via OVE.com.
1503 N. Batavia St
Orange, CA 92867
ADESA Los Angeles Auctionopens in new window
ADESA Los Angeles in Orange offers large weekly wholesale sales accessible to Ontario dealers via the 60 freeway. Also available remotely through the ADESA DealerBlock online platform for convenient inventory access.
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 Ontario 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), Ontario city business license fees, any zoning permits, and your required pre-licensing education course ($99–$148). Ontario's commercial and industrial real estate near the airport and freight corridors is considerably more affordable than LA County, making it one of the stronger-value Inland Empire markets for new dealers.
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 Ontario 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 Riverside or San Bernardino 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 Ontario.
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. Ontario residential zones are not approved for dealer license addresses. The DMV requires a commercially or industrially zoned address that passes an on-site inspection. Ontario has excellent commercial and industrial availability — particularly near Ontario International Airport and along Archibald and Haven avenues — where dealer-compliant locations are available at accessible price points.
Ontario's zoning is administered by the Community Development Department's Planning Division. General Commercial (CG) and industrial zones are typically approved for vehicle dealer operations. Ontario's significant industrial land base near the airport and along freight corridors offers particularly flexible, cost-effective options for wholesale-only dealers. Retail dealerships with outdoor display require use permits and signage compliance. Confirm your parcel's zoning with Ontario's Planning Division before signing a lease.
Ontario dealers are among the best-positioned in Southern California for auction access. Copart Rancho Cucamonga and IAA Rialto are just minutes away. Manheim Southern California and ADESA Los Angeles, both in Orange, are accessible via the 60 or 10 freeway west. Manheim Riverside is also easily reached. Online platforms including OVE.com and ADESA DealerBlock extend access to national inventory without leaving the Inland Empire.
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 lot near Ontario International Airport, a wholesale operation in the Inland Empire's industrial corridor, or a dealership serving San Bernardino County's growing communities — California Dealer Academy has the course and the expertise to get you licensed.