Costa Mesa · Building on your lot

Running a business from home in Costa Mesa

A home business needs a permit and business license, is limited to one room inside the home, and only permanent residents may work there.

Ask about running a business from home in Costa Mesa See coverage

Key points

Home businesses: A home business needs a permit and business license, is limited to one room inside the home, and only permanent residents may work there.

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

What Costa Mesa's code says

Costa Mesa code What Costa Mesa's code adds
Space used	No more than 1 room of the home. Applies: The room in the home used for the business. § 13-168 · code text No more than one room in the dwelling may be used for the home occupation. Inside the home only. No other building, outdoor space or garage, attached or detached, may be used. Applies: Supplies or equipment may be stored in a garage if this does not reduce the usable parking space. § 13-168 · code text No building, space outside of the main building, or garage, attached or detached, shall be used for the home occupation.
Customer visits	No more than 1 customer or client at a time. Applies: Home businesses with customer traffic, which need a minor conditional use permit. § 13-164 · code text Home occupations that generate customer traffic and do not involve more than one customer/client at a time and no more than eight customers/clients per day require the approval of a minor conditional use permit pursuant to Chapter III, Planning Applications. No more than 8 customers or clients per day. Applies: Home businesses with customer traffic, which need a minor conditional use permit. § 13-164 · code text Home occupations that generate customer traffic and do not involve more than one customer/client at a time and no more than eight customers/clients per day require the approval of a minor conditional use permit pursuant to Chapter III, Planning Applications. No more foot or car traffic than is normal for the neighborhood. § 13-168 · code text The home occupation shall not generate pedestrian or vehicular traffic beyond that normal to the neighborhood where it is located.
Employees	Only permanent residents of the home may work in the business. § 13-168 · code text There shall be no employment of persons other than permanent residents of the premises.
Permit	A home occupation permit is required. Applies: Home businesses in any residential zone of the city. § 13-164 · code text No person shall engage in a home occupation, as defined in this Zoning Code, within any residentially zoned area of the city without first applying for and securing a permit. A business license is required, and is issued only after the home occupation permit is approved. § 13-164 · code text No business license shall be issued until a home occupation permit has been approved and issued. A minor conditional use permit is required. Applies: Home businesses with customer traffic of no more than 1 customer at a time and no more than 8 per day. § 13-164 · code text Home occupations that generate customer traffic and do not involve more than one customer/client at a time and no more than eight customers/clients per day require the approval of a minor conditional use permit pursuant to Chapter III, Planning Applications.
Businesses not allowed	direct sale of products, either wholesale or retail, on the premises § 13-168 · code text There shall be no direct sale of products, either wholesale or retail on the premises.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

Can I run a business from my home in Costa Mesa?

A home business needs a permit and business license, is limited to one room inside the home, and only permanent residents may work there.

General information, not legal advice.

Ask about a specific Costa Mesa property

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

Ask your question

More on building on your lot in Costa Mesa

All building on your lot rules in Costa Mesa

Building in a flood zone in Costa Mesa

Noise and construction hours in Costa Mesa

Affordable units in new housing (inclusionary) in Costa Mesa

Group homes and residential care in Costa Mesa

Home alarm permits and false alarms in Costa Mesa

Costa Mesa Municipal Code — full text