Doing Business From Home

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Home Businesses Allowed?

Maybe! Certain home-based businesses are allowed with a business license. Others are allowed with a business license and if certain conditions are met. Some businesses are strictly prohibited.

Guidelines:

Only occupants of the home may be engaged in the home business.
Off-site employees may not report for work at the residence.
The use of the home as a business shall be clearly incidental and subordinate to its use as a residence.
No mechanical equipment or operation shall be used which creates or makes dust, odor, vibration or other effects detectable at the property line.
No products shall be sold on the premises except artist’s originals.
The products produced shall not be displayed on the property in such a manner to be visible outside of the residence.
Materials shall not be stored out-of-doors.
The home may not be remodeled to change the external appearance into a commercial appearing structure.
Visitors & customers shall not exceed one person per hour and eight per day. Deliveries shall not exceed one per week.
(See section 3.9.3.F. of the Zoning Code)

Are home businesses allowed? What are some of the guidelines?

Maybe. Certain home-based businesses are allowed with a business license. Others are allowed with a license as long as certain conditions are met. Some businesses are strictly prohibited. Generally, all home-based businesses must comply with the following:

Only occupants of the home may be engaged in the home business.
Off-site employees may not report for work at residence
The use of the home as a business shall be clearly incidental and subordinate to its use as a residence. The area subject to the home occupation may not exceed 20% of the habitable floor space of the primary dwelling.
No mechanical equipment shall be used which creates or makes dust, odor, vibration or other effects detectable at the property line. Noise level at the property line shall not exceed 65 dBA.
No products shall be sold on the premises except artists' originals.
The products produced shall not be displayed on the property in a manner to be visible outside of the residence.
Materials shall not be stored outdoors.
The home may not be remodeled to change the external appearance into a commercial-appearing structure.
Visitors & customers shall not exceed one person per hour and eight per day. Deliveries shall not exceed one per week..

For additional guidelines on Home occupations, please refer to Section 3.9.3.F of the Sacramento County Zoning Code.

Are temporary concessions legal?

Temporary concessions on private property are permitted subject to the approval of the zoning administrator through a temporary concession stand permit while meeting development standards within the following zones:

All Industrial Zones
Auto Commercial Zone
Commercial Recreation Zone
General Commercial Zone
Light Commercial Zone
Mixed Use Zones
Shopping Center Zone
Travel Commercial Zone

Is it permissible to sell food at a temporary concession?

The vending of food products is regulated separately. Without the separate permit, obtained through the County Environmental Management Department and a conditional use permit from the planning commission, food cannot be sold under a temporary concession permit.

Mobile vending vehicles licensed and operated pursuant to the provisions of the Sacramento County Code do not constitute a temporary concession, so long as they move every hour.

Code Enforcement