Running a business from home in San Diego

§141.0308 Home Occupations Home occupations are businesses conducted by residents on the premises of their homes. Home occupations, including cottage food operations authorized pursuant to California Government Code section 51035, are permitted as a limited use in the zones indicated with an “L” in the Use Regulations Tables in Chapter 13, Article 1 (Base Zones) subject to the following regulations. An applicant may deviate from the requirements in Section 141.0308(k) through (n) by obtaining a Neighborhood Use Permit in accordance with Section 126.0203. (a) Home occupations are permitted only as accessory uses to a residential use. (b) Any products produced for sale must be manufactured by hand, grown on the premises, or prepared within a kitchen that meets the standards for cottage food operations in a dwelling unit in accordance with California Health and Safety Code section 114365. (c) The home occupation may reduce required off-street parking spaces by one off-street parking space, so long as the reduction does not result in the elimination of all off-street parking spaces. (d) Signs advertising the home occupation are not permitted. Other advertising shall not include the address of the premises. (e) Home occupations, except for horticultural uses permitted in Chapter 13, Article 1, Division 3 (Agricultural Base Zones) and Division 4 (Residential Base Zones), shall be conducted within an enclosed structure on the premises. (f) Materials or products associated with the home occupation on the premises must be stored within an enclosed structure. Ch. Art. Div. 14 1 3 26 San Diego Municipal Code Chapter 14: General Regulations (3-2026) (g) Indoor storage of materials or products associated with the home occupation shall not exceed 1,000 cubic feet for the entire premises or any more restrictive limitations imposed by the Building and Housing Codes or the County Health Department. (h) The operation of the home occupation shall be consistent with permitted residential uses, shall not create any conditions that amount to a public nuisance, and shall not be detrimental to the residential neighborhood by causing increased noise, traffic, lighting, odor, or by violating any applicable ordinances or laws. (i) The resident of the premises shall not rent space to others in association with a home occupation. (j) Only a resident of the premises may engage in a home occupation on the premises. (k) Home occupations may have a maximum of one employee or partner on the premises between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday. For the purpose of Section 141.0308(k) an employee does not include a resident of the home. (l) Home occupations may have a maximum of one customer on the premises at a time, by appointment only, between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Home occupations shall not host customers on the premises more frequently than one customer within a 2-hour time period. (m) Home occupations may have a maximum of one vendor on the premises at a time between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Home occupations shall not host vendors on the premises more frequently than one vendor within a 2-hour time period. (n) A maximum of one vehicle for business-related purposes is permitted on- street in the residentially zoned area and shall be parked in compliance with the regulations in Section 86.0139 if applicable. Ch. Art. Div. 14 1 3 27 San Diego Municipal Code Chapter 14: General Regulations (3-2026) (1) Business-related vehicles may not exceed a one-ton carrying capacity. (2) Tow-trucks are not a permitted home occupation vehicle. (Added 12-9-1997 by O-18451 N.S.; effective 1-1-2000.) (Amended 4-5-2016 by O-20634 N.S.; effective 5-5-2016.) (Amended 1-27-2022 by O-21416 N.S.; effective 2-26-2022.)

§141.0308 Home Occupations Home occupations are businesses conducted by residents on the premises of their homes. Home occupations, including cottage food operations authorized pursuant to California Government Code section 51035, are permitted as a limited use in the zones indicated with an “L” in the Use Regulations Tables in Chapter 13, Article 1 (Base Zones) subject to the following regulations. An applicant may deviate from the requirements in Section 141.0308(k) through (n) by obtaining a Neighborhood Use Permit in accordance with Section 126.0203. (a) Home occupations are permitted only as accessory uses to a residential use. (b) Any products produced for sale must be manufactured by hand, grown on the premises, or prepared within a kitchen that meets the standards for cottage food operations in a dwelling unit in accordance with California Health and Safety Code section 114365. (c) The home occupation may reduce required off-street parking spaces by one off-street parking space, so long as the reduction does not result in the elimination of all off-street parking spaces. (d) Signs advertising the home occupation are not permitted. Other advertising shall not include the address of the premises. (e) Home occupations, except for horticultural uses permitted in Chapter 13, Article 1, Division 3 (Agricultural Base Zones) and Division 4 (Residential Base Zones), shall be conducted within an enclosed structure on the premises. (f) Materials or products associated with the home occupation on the premises must be stored within an enclosed structure. Ch. Art. Div. 14 1 3 26 San Diego Municipal Code Chapter 14: General Regulations (3-2026) (g) Indoor storage of materials or products associated with the home occupation shall not exceed 1,000 cubic feet for the entire premises or any more restrictive limitations imposed by the Building and Housing Codes or the County Health Department. (h) The operation of the home occupation shall be consistent with permitted residential uses, shall not create any conditions that amount to a public nuisance, and shall not be detrimental to the residential neighborhood by causing increased noise, traffic, lighting, odor, or by violating any applicable ordinances or laws. (i) The resident of the premises shall not rent space to others in association with a home occupation. (j) Only a resident of the premises may engage in a home occupation on the premises. (k) Home occupations may have a maximum of one employee or partner on the premises between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday. For the purpose of Section 141.0308(k) an employee does not include a resident of the home. (l) Home occupations may have a maximum of one customer on the premises at a time, by appointment only, between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Home occupations shall not host customers on the premises more frequently than one customer within a 2-hour time period. (m) Home occupations may have a maximum of one vendor on the premises at a time between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Home occupations shall not host vendors on the premises more frequently than one vendor within a 2-hour time period. (n) A maximum of one vehicle for business-related purposes is permitted on- street in the residentially zoned area and shall be parked in compliance with the regulations in Section 86.0139 if applicable. Ch. Art. Div. 14 1 3 27 San Diego Municipal Code Chapter 14: General Regulations (3-2026) (1) Business-related vehicles may not exceed a one-ton carrying capacity. (2) Tow-trucks are not a permitted home occupation vehicle. (Added 12-9-1997 by O-18451 N.S.; effective 1-1-2000.) (Amended 4-5-2016 by O-20634 N.S.; effective 5-5-2016.) (Amended 1-27-2022 by O-21416 N.S.; effective 2-26-2022.)

An applicant may deviate from the requirements in Section 141.0308(k) through (n) by obtaining a Neighborhood Use Permit in accordance with Section 126.0203.