Simi Valley is one of Ventura County's largest cities and serves as a bridge between the greater Los Angeles metro and the quieter suburban communities of the Conejo Valley and Moorpark. The city's vehicle market is dominated by suburban family needs — SUVs, minivans, trucks, and reliable commuter sedans for residents who often work in Los Angeles or the West Valley. Vehicle turnover is steady and year-round, driven by a stable, owner-occupied residential base with solid household income levels.
From a regulatory and cost standpoint, Simi Valley offers real advantages over neighboring Los Angeles County. Commercial real estate along Tapo Canyon Road, Los Angeles Avenue, and Cochran Street is notably more affordable than equivalent space in the San Fernando Valley. The City of Simi Valley's Environmental Services Division handles planning and zoning inquiries in a straightforward manner. New dealers who start with a wholesale license — no display lot required, just a commercial address that clears DMV inspection — can get operational with minimal upfront overhead and build toward a retail license over time.
California Dealer Academy has helped dealers throughout Ventura County and the greater Los Angeles area navigate the licensing process. We know the DMV Occupational Licensing offices serving this area, the zoning considerations for Ventura County dealerships, and the regional auction circuit that will supply your inventory once you're up and running.
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 Simi Valley area:
Simi Valley Environmental Services – 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.
Simi Valley Business License Portalopens in new window
All businesses operating within Simi Valley must register for a business tax registration certificate through the city's finance or business licensing office.
Ventura County FBN Filingopens in new window
If your dealership will operate under a trade name (e.g., "Simi Valley Auto Sales"), you must file a fictitious business name (DBA) statement with Ventura 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 St, 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.
Van Nuys OL
6150 Van Nuys Blvd, Suite 250
Van Nuys, CA 91401
(818) 376-4201
Los Angeles OL
3615 S. Hope St
Los Angeles, CA 90007
(213) 744-7563
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
☎ 213-497-0955
Our team is available by phone and in person to help you navigate the Simi Valley 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 Simi Valley area:
7500 Van Nuys Blvd
Van Nuys, CA 91405
Copart Van Nuys Auctionopens in new window
Copart Van Nuys is the closest major salvage and clean-title auction to Simi Valley, accessible via the 118 freeway. Consistent inventory of fleet, repo, and insurance total-loss vehicles. Online and in-person bidding available for licensed dealers.
Sun Valley, CA
IAA Sun Valley Auctionopens in new window
Insurance Auto Auctions Sun Valley serves the greater Los Angeles and San Fernando Valley market with salvage, repo, and fleet vehicles from major insurers. Accessible from Simi Valley via the 118 and 5 corridors. Online bidding available for licensed dealers.
Anaheim, CA
Manheim California Auctionopens in new window
Manheim California in Anaheim runs some of the largest wholesale dealer sales in Southern California — deep inventory from fleet, off-lease, and dealer trades. Simi Valley dealers can attend in person or bid online through OVE.com for maximum inventory access.
Mira Loma, CA
ADESA Los Angeles Auctionopens in new window
ADESA Los Angeles in Mira Loma offers weekly dealer-only wholesale sales drawing broad Southern California inventory. Simi Valley dealers can attend in person via the 118/10 freeways or bid conveniently online through ADESA's DealerBlock 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 Simi Valley 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), Simi Valley city business license fees, any zoning permits, and your required pre-licensing education course ($99–$148). Simi Valley's commercial real estate is more affordable than neighboring LA County markets — a meaningful cost advantage for first-time dealers establishing a dealer address here.
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 Simi Valley 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 through the City of Simi Valley typically takes 3–6 weeks. After DMV paperwork is submitted to the Van Nuys OL 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 Simi Valley.
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. Simi Valley residential zones are not approved for dealer license addresses. The DMV requires a commercially or industrially zoned location that passes an on-site inspection. Simi Valley has commercial space along Tapo Canyon Road, Los Angeles Avenue, and Cochran Street, plus light-industrial options near its business parks — providing accessible and relatively affordable alternatives for new dealers in this market.
Simi Valley requires Commercial General (CG) or Industrial (I) zoning for dealer license addresses. Retail dealerships need a paved, approved display area with DMV-compliant signage. Wholesale-only operations have more flexibility and can qualify from a commercial suite. Check with the Simi Valley Planning Divisionopens in new window to verify parcel zoning before signing any lease.
Simi Valley dealers have strong access to San Fernando Valley and broader Southern California auctions. Copart Van Nuys and IAA Sun Valley are the nearest yards for salvage and repo inventory, both accessible via the 118 freeway. Manheim California in Anaheim and ADESA Los Angeles in Mira Loma serve the broader SoCal market with large weekly wholesale sales. Online platforms like OVE.com and DealerBlock expand your reach to national inventory.
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 along Los Angeles Avenue, a wholesale dealership in Simi Valley's business park corridor, or a business serving buyers across Ventura County and the West Valley — California Dealer Academy has the course and the expertise to get you licensed.