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Palm Desert · Building on your lot

Running a business from home in Palm Desert

Home-based businesses need a permit and may have 1 outside person; instructional services may have up to 6 students at a time.

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Key points

  • Home businesses: Home-based businesses need a permit and may have 1 outside person; instructional services may have up to 6 students at a time.

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

What Palm Desert's code says

Palm Desert code What Palm Desert's code adds
Space used
  • No more than 640 square feet.
    Applies: In the Residential Estate (RE) zone, for business or storage space in a home or accessory structure.
    § 25.34.020 · code text
    Home-based businesses or associated storage may be conducted in a dwelling or accessory structure not to exceed 640 square feet.
Customer visits
  • No more than 6 students at any 1 time.
    Applies: For instructional services.
    § 25.34.020 · code text
    Maximum number of students at any 1 time shall be limited to 6.
Employees
  • Only residents, plus no more than 1 outside person who does not live in the home.
    Applies: For home-based businesses in general.
    § 25.34.020 · code text
    Only residents of the subject residential dwelling may operate, engage in, or conduct the home-based business, except that not more than 1 outside person who is not a resident of the subject dwelling may also participate in the operation or conduct of the subject home-based business.
Permit
  • A home-based business permit approved by the Director.
    § 25.34.020 · code text
    Establishment and operation of a home-based business shall require approval of a home-based business permit processed by the Director in accordance with this section.
Businesses not allowed
  • Auto repair and auto body repair; barber and beauty shops; bicycle repair; carpentry work; on-site retail, wholesale or consignment sales or display of merchandise; laundering service; medical and dental offices; painting of vehicles, trailers or boats; photo studios; private schools with organized classes; upholstering; storage of construction and service trade equipment; welding and machining
    § 25.34.020 · code text
    These specified uses shall not be permitted as home-based businesses:

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

Can I run a business from my home in Palm Desert?

Home-based businesses need a permit and may have 1 outside person; instructional services may have up to 6 students at a time.

General information, not legal advice.

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Palm Desert Municipal Code — full text