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South Lake Tahoe · Building on your lot

Running a business from home in South Lake Tahoe

A home business may use at most 20% of the home or 350 sq ft, with no customers; it needs a license and permit.

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Key points

  • Home businesses: A home business may use at most 20% of the home or 350 sq ft, with no customers; it needs a license and permit.

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

What South Lake Tahoe's code says

South Lake Tahoe code What South Lake Tahoe's code adds
Space used
  • No more than 20% of the home, or 350 square feet at most.
    Applies: The home, including the garage.
    § 6.55.280 · code text
    That not more than 20 percent or a maximum of 350 square feet of the dwelling, including the garage, shall be devoted to such purposes.
Customer visits
  • No customers or clients may come to the home for the business.
    Applies: Home businesses in general.
    § 6.55.280 · code text
    That no customers/clients shall come to the residence in conjunction with this business;
Employees
  • Up to 1 employee is allowed.
    Applies: Only with a conditional use permit approved first; otherwise only a resident may run the business.
    § 6.55.280 · code text
    That such occupations shall be conducted solely by a resident occupant in his/her residence or, that such occupation shall permit one employee, provided a conditional use permit is authorized prior to the use with specific conditions (paved parking, etc.);
Permit
  • Both a city business license and a home occupation permit are required.
    Applies: Home businesses in general.
    § 6.55.280 · code text
    Applicants receiving approval from the planning division must acquire both a city business license and a home occupation permit prior to doing business.
  • No home occupation permit is needed.
    Applies: Home office work when the main workplace is elsewhere, with no outside activity or storage at the home, and all listed criteria are met.
    § 6.55.280 · code text
    Office and office services conducted within the home, excluding those expressly forbidden in SLTCC § 6.55.290, shall be allowed without the provision that they acquire a home occupation permit provided that all of the following conditions are met:
  • A special use permit after a public hearing is required.
    Applies: Only for the listed offices and schools that are otherwise banned, in plan areas that allow multiple-family homes.
    § 6.55.290 · code text
    In plan areas which permit multiple-family dwellings, the above listed home occupations may be allowed upon the granting of a special use permit following a public hearing.
Businesses not allowed
  • offices for a doctor, physician, surgeon, lawyer, dentist, therapist, commercial photo studio, beauty parlor/salon, barber shop, real estate business, dance school, business school, school of any kind with organized classes or similar activity, and firewood storage yards for resale purposes
    Applies: Any residential plan area; in plan areas which permit multiple-family dwellings they may be allowed with a special use permit after a public hearing
    § 6.55.290 · code text
    In any residential plan area, offices for a doctor, physician, surgeon, lawyer, dentist, therapist, commercial photo studio, beauty parlor/salon, barber shop, real estate business, dance school, business school or school of any kind with organized classes or similar activity, and firewood storage yards for resale purposes, are not considered to be home occupations and therefore not allowed.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

Can I run a business from my home in South Lake Tahoe?

A home business may use at most 20% of the home or 350 sq ft, with no customers; it needs a license and permit.

General information, not legal advice.

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South Lake Tahoe Municipal Code — full text