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Pleasant Hill · Building on your lot

Running a business from home in Pleasant Hill

Home businesses need a Home Occupation Permit and allow no more than 1 nonresident employee or volunteer on site at a time.

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Key points

  • Home businesses: Home businesses need a Home Occupation Permit and allow no more than 1 nonresident employee or volunteer on site at a time.

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

What Pleasant Hill's code says

Pleasant Hill code What Pleasant Hill's code adds
Employees
  • No more than 1 nonresident employee or volunteer on site at any time.
    § 18.15.130 · code text
    The home occupation does not involve more than one nonresident employee or volunteer on site at any time;
Permit
  • A Home Occupation Permit from the Zoning Administrator is required.
    Applies: Before starting a home business.
    § 18.15.130 · code text
    In order to engage in a home occupation an individual must first obtain a Home Occupation Permit from the Zoning Administrator.
Businesses not allowed
  • Activities that involve use of loud power equipment, or otherwise create excessive noise, which interferes with the surrounding residential use
    § 18.15.130 · code text
    Activities that involve use of loud power equipment, or otherwise create excessive noise, which interferes with the surrounding residential use;
  • Activities that generate exhaust or other air pollutants or emissions
    § 18.15.130 · code text
    Activities that generate exhaust or other air pollutants or emissions;
  • Activities which involve the raising or slaughtering of animals
    § 18.15.130 · code text
    Activities which involve the raising or slaughtering of animals;
  • On-premises vehicle repair
    § 18.15.130 · code text
    On-premises vehicle repair;
  • Business of firearm sales
    Applies: Existing, approved Home Occupation Permits before January 4, 2016 are exempt under the stated conditions
    § 18.15.130 · code text
    Activities that involve engaging in the business of firearm sales.
  • Commercial cannabis uses or activities, including operation of a cannabis retailer, cannabis delivery service, and/or storage of cannabis beyond personal-use amounts
    § 18.15.130 · code text
    Any commercial cannabis uses or activities, including, but not limited to, the operation of a cannabis retailer, cannabis delivery service, and/or the storage of cannabis in excess of those amounts allowed for personal use in compliance with Health and Safety Code Section 11362.1 et seq.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

Can I run a business from my home in Pleasant Hill?

Home businesses need a Home Occupation Permit and allow no more than 1 nonresident employee or volunteer on site at a time.

General information, not legal advice.

Ask about a specific Pleasant Hill property

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Pleasant Hill Municipal Code — full text