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Fontana · Building on your lot

Running a business from home in Fontana

Fontana requires a home occupation permit and generally allows no clients, customers or non-resident employees.

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Key points

  • Home businesses: Fontana requires a home occupation permit and generally allows no clients, customers or non-resident employees.

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

What Fontana's code says

Fontana code What Fontana's code adds
Customer visits
  • No clients or customers on the property at any time.
    Applies: Unless the Planning Division decides the nature of the business warrants limited customer traffic.
    § 30-262 · code text
    There shall be no clients or customers on the premises at any time, except where the Planning Division determines that limited customer traffic may be warranted due to the nature of the business.
Employees
  • No employees other than people who live in the home.
    Applies: Babysitters and domestic servants do not count as employees of the business.
    § 30-262 · code text
    No employees other than residents of the dwelling shall be allowed in connection with a home occupation. (Babysitters or domestic servants are not considered employees of a home occupation.)
Permit
  • A home occupation permit is required.
    § 30-262 · code text
    If a home occupation is to be conducted on rental property, the property owner's authorization for the proposed use shall be obtained prior to the issuance of a home occupation permit.
Businesses not allowed
  • Automotive repair (body or mechanical), upholstery and painting; barber and beauty services; medical offices, clinics and laboratories; cannabis dispensaries and sales; household appliance repairing; welding; businesses dealing with firearms, ammunition, explosives, or ancillary products; similar uses as determined by the Director of Community Development
    § 30-263 · code text
    The following uses, either by operation or nature, are not incidental to or compatible with residential activities and shall therefore not be permitted as home occupations:

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

Can I run a business from my home in Fontana?

Fontana requires a home occupation permit and generally allows no clients, customers or non-resident employees.

General information, not legal advice.

Ask about a specific Fontana property

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

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Fontana Municipal Code — full text