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Cloverdale · Building on your lot

Running a business from home in Cloverdale

A home business is limited to 25% of floor area or 400 square feet, whichever is greater, and 2 nonresident employees.

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Key points

  • Home businesses: A home business is limited to 25% of floor area or 400 square feet, whichever is greater, and 2 nonresident employees.

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

What Cloverdale's code says

Cloverdale code What Cloverdale's code adds
Space used
  • No more than 25% of the home's floor area or 400 square feet, whichever is greater.
    § 18.09.120 · code text
    No more than twenty-five percent of the total floor area of any dwelling unit, nor more than four hundred square feet of floor area, whichever is greater, shall be used to conduct home occupation(s).
Employees
  • No more than 2 nonresident employees or independent contractors.
    § 18.09.120 · code text
    No more than two nonresident employees or independent contractors shall be permitted to work at the home occupation location, regardless of the number of home occupations permitted at any one residence.
Permit
  • A home occupation permit, a current city business license and all other needed licenses and permits.
    § 18.09.120 · code text
    A home occupation permit shall be obtained for each business to be conducted on the premises, and valid only for the person to whom it is issued.
  • A home occupation permit is required.
    Applies: Massage therapists who give massages at their home.
    § 5.24.070 · code text
    Any massage therapist conducting, performing, engaging in or giving massages at their residence is deemed a home occupation massage therapist and must obtain a home occupation permit pursuant to Section 18.03.190 and comply with the standards set forth in Section 18.09.120.
Businesses not allowed
  • automotive and other vehicle repair (body or mechanical), painting, or storage; barber and beauty shop; carpentry and cabinet making; welding and machine operation; medical offices, clinics and laboratories; animal hospitals and grooming facilities; contractor's storage yards; adult entertainment; exercise studios; junk yards; other uses the planning commission determines to be similar in characteristics or impacts upon the residential neighborhood to those listed above
    § 18.09.120 · code text
    The following uses, either by operation or nature, are considered not to be incidental to or compatible with residential activities and therefore are not permitted:
  • music instruction having more than one student at any one time
    § 18.09.120 · code text
    Music instruction having more than one student at any one time.
  • dancing and educational instruction having more than five students at any one time and more than three classes per day
    § 18.09.120 · code text
    Dancing and educational instruction having more than five students at any one time and more than three classes per day.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

Can I run a business from my home in Cloverdale?

A home business is limited to 25% of floor area or 400 square feet, whichever is greater, and 2 nonresident employees.

General information, not legal advice.

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Cloverdale Municipal Code — full text