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Moreno Valley · Building on your lot

Running a business from home in Moreno Valley

Moreno Valley lets a home business use up to 20% of the floor area, excluding the garage, with a permit and city business license.

Key points

  • Home businesses: Moreno Valley lets a home business use up to 20% of the floor area, excluding the garage, with a permit and city business license.

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

What Moreno Valley's code says

Moreno Valley code What Moreno Valley's code adds
Space used
  • No more than 20% of the gross floor area, not counting the garage.
    § 9.02.130 · code text
    Further, not more than 20% of the gross floor area, excluding the garage area, shall be used for a home occupation.
Employees
  • No more than 1 employee besides the people who live in the home.
    Applies: Babysitters and domestic staff do not count.
    § 9.02.130 · code text
    Not more than one employee, other than the residents of the dwelling unit, shall be allowed to work, gather or congregate on the premises in connection with a home occupation with the exception of babysitters or domestic staff.
Permit
  • Yes. A home occupation permit is required.
    § 9.02.130 · code text
    The home occupation permit is intended to limit enterprises which are conducted within homes to those which are clearly incidental and secondary to the use of the dwelling unit and compatible with surrounding residential uses.
  • A city business license is required.
    Applies: The home occupation permit is valid only while a valid, unexpired city business license is in effect.
    § 9.02.130 · code text
    The home occupation permit shall be valid only for the person to whom it is issued, at the address for which it is issued, and during the period of time for which a valid, unexpired city business license is in effect.
Businesses not allowed
  • Automotive and other vehicle (inclusive of motorcycles or recreational vehicles) repair (body or mechanical), upholstery, painting or storage; towing; the sale, use or manufacture of ammunition, explosives or fireworks; spa facilities (medical massage by licensed professionals is not prohibited); junk yards; escort services; and quantities of materials which may present a health and/or safety hazard, including explosives, flammable or combustible dusts, liquids or gases, corrosives, irritants and toxic materials
    § 9.02.130 · code text
    The following uses, either by operation or nature, are not considered to be incidental to or compatible with residential activities and therefore shall not be permitted as home occupations:

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

Can I run a business from my home in Moreno Valley?

Moreno Valley lets a home business use up to 20% of the floor area, excluding the garage, with a permit and city business license.

General information, not legal advice.

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