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Merced County · Building on your lot

Running a business from home in Merced County

Home businesses need a Zoning Clearance and may use at most the lesser of 250 square feet or 25% of living space.

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Key points

  • Home businesses: Home businesses need a Zoning Clearance and may use at most the lesser of 250 square feet or 25% of living space.

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

What Merced County's code says

Merced County code What Merced County's code adds
Space used
  • At most 250 square feet or 25% of the living space, whichever is less.
    Includes related storage space.
    § 18.60.070 · code text
    Space for the home occupation, including related storage, is limited to the lesser of 250 square feet or 25% of the living space.
Employees
  • 1 non-resident employee.
    § 18.60.070 · code text
    Home occupations shall be operated by individuals that reside in the household, with the exception of one non-resident employee.
Permit
  • A Zoning Clearance must be reviewed and approved.
    Applies: Applies in zones where home occupations are allowed.
    § 18.60.070 · code text
    In zones where permitted, home occupations shall require review and approval of a Zoning Clearance subject to the following standards:
Businesses not allowed
  • Beauty and barber shops; Medical, dental, or chiropractic offices; On-site vehicle repair, bodywork, and painting (including recreational vehicles); Large appliance and machine repair; Contractor storage yard
    § 18.60.070 · code text
    The following home occupations are prohibited in the county: 1. Beauty and barber shops; 2. Medical, dental, or chiropractic offices; 3. On-site vehicle repair, bodywork, and painting (including recreational vehicles); 4. Large appliance and machine repair; and 5. Contractor storage yard.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

Can I run a business from my home in Merced County?

Home businesses need a Zoning Clearance and may use at most the lesser of 250 square feet or 25% of living space.

General information, not legal advice.

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Merced County Municipal Code — full text