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Chowchilla · Building on your lot

Running a business from home in Chowchilla

A home business needs a permit; barbershops, salons, massage, pet grooming, tattooing, vehicle repair and medical offices are among the uses not allowed.

Key points

  • Home businesses: A home business needs a permit; barbershops, salons, massage, pet grooming, tattooing, vehicle repair and medical offices are among the uses not allowed.

Each rule below links to the section of the Chowchilla Municipal Code it was read from, with the code text one click away (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.

What Chowchilla's code says

Chowchilla code What Chowchilla's code adds
Permit
  • A home occupation permit is required.
    Applies: The permit may be denied if the use is on the prohibited list or does not fit with residential activities.
    § 18.78.040 · code text
    A home occupation permit may be denied if the director finds that land use proposed for a home occupation is listed in this section, or that the land use is not incidental nor compatible with residential activities.
Businesses not allowed
  • Barbershop, hair salon, nail care, massage therapy, or day spa
    § 18.78.040 · code text
    Barbershop, hair salon, nail care, massage therapy, or day spa;
  • Fortune telling
    § 18.78.040 · code text
    Fortune telling;
  • Kennel or animal boarding
    § 18.78.040 · code text
    Kennel or animal boarding;
  • Laboratory, general or medical
    § 18.78.040 · code text
    Laboratory, general or medical;
  • Mini-warehouse or self-storage facility
    § 18.78.040 · code text
    Mini-warehouse or self-storage facility;
  • Motor vehicle repair or service, minor or major
    § 18.78.040 · code text
    Motor vehicle repair or service, minor or major;
  • Office; medical, dental, or optometry
    § 18.78.040 · code text
    Office; medical, dental, or optometry;
  • Pet grooming
    § 18.78.040 · code text
    Pet grooming;
  • Repair shop, large appliance or equipment
    § 18.78.040 · code text
    Repair shop, large appliance or equipment;
  • Specialty construction or trade service where construction activities take place at the site
    § 18.78.040 · code text
    Specialty construction or trade service where construction activities take place at the site;
  • Tattooing or body art
    § 18.78.040 · code text
    Tattooing or body art;
  • Any other use determined by the director to be not incidental nor compatible with residential activities
    § 18.78.040 · code text
    Any other use determined by the director to be not incidental nor compatible with residential activities.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

Can I run a business from my home in Chowchilla?

A home business needs a permit; barbershops, salons, massage, pet grooming, tattooing, vehicle repair and medical offices are among the uses not allowed.

General information, not legal advice.

Ask about a specific Chowchilla property

Ask GoCodebook how Chowchilla's running a business from home rules apply to your situation and get an answer that cites the section.

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