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Sierra Madre · Building on your lot

Running a business from home in Sierra Madre

Under ministerial review, a home business may use 25% of the home's floor area or 400 sq ft, whichever is greater.

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Key points

  • Home businesses: Under ministerial review, a home business may use 25% of the home's floor area or 400 sq ft, whichever is greater.

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

What Sierra Madre's code says

Sierra Madre code What Sierra Madre's code adds
Space used
  • No more than 25% of home building floor area (not the garage) or 400 square feet, whichever is greater.
    Applies: Under ministerial review.
    § 17.85.040 · code text
    That not more than the greater of (i) twenty-five percent of the total floor area of all structures on the property directly associated with the dwelling unit where the home occupation will occur, excluding the garage, or (ii) four hundred square feet will be occupied for the "home occupation."
  • No more than 50% of the floor area of the home's buildings, not counting the garage.
    Applies: Under discretionary review.
    § 17.85.050 · code text
    That not more than fifty percent of the total floor area of all structures on the property directly associated with the dwelling unit where the home occupation will occur, excluding the garage, will be occupied for the "home occupation."
Customer visits
  • None. The business may not create foot or car traffic or affect street or public parking.
    Applies: Under ministerial review.
    § 17.85.040 · code text
    That the home occupation will not generate any pedestrian or vehicular traffic nor impact street parking or public parking facilities.
Permit
  • Ministerial review or discretionary review.
    Applies: Applications meeting all ministerial standards may get ministerial review. Others may qualify for discretionary review.
    § 17.85.040 · code text
    Applications for home occupations may qualify for ministerial review if the application satisfies the following elements:
  • Discretionary review.
    Applies: When the application does not meet all ministerial standards but fits the purpose and intent of the home occupation rules.
    § 17.85.050 · code text
    If an application for a home occupation does not satisfy all of the elements of Section 17.85.040, it may qualify for discretionary review if the applicant can demonstrate that the home occupation conforms to the purpose and intent of the Section 17.85.010 provisions, and the following criteria:
  • A home occupation permit with an annual business license is required.
    Applies: Under ministerial review, no more than 1 such business license per home may be active at a time.
    § 17.85.040 · code text
    That no more than one annual business license issued in connection with a home occupation permit per dwelling unit will be active at any one time.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

Can I run a business from my home in Sierra Madre?

Under ministerial review, a home business may use 25% of the home's floor area or 400 sq ft, whichever is greater.

General information, not legal advice.

Ask about a specific Sierra Madre property

Ask GoCodebook how Sierra Madre's running a business from home rules apply to your situation and get an answer that cites the section.

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Sierra Madre Municipal Code — full text