Burbank's Home Business: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles home business a little differently. In Burbank, California, there are 6 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Home Occupation Permits

Operating any home occupation in Burbank requires an approved business permit under Burbank Municipal Code Section 3-4-1901, applied for on forms prescribed by the Community Development Director. The Director reviews the application against Division 11 standards, inspects the premises, and may approve, deny, revoke, or suspend the permit; it is not transferable to a different person, address, or occupation.

Key details: Code Section: BMC 10-1-673.5 (Administrative Provisions). Permit Required: Business permit under BMC 3-4-1901. Reviewing Authority: Community Development Director. Transferable: No (person, address, occupation fixed). Revocation Notice: 15 days.

A business permit for a home occupation that is not operated in compliance with Division 11 or any other applicable law may be revoked or suspended by the Community Development Director after 15 days' notice (BMC 10-1-673.5.D). Any person may appeal a decision denying, revoking, or suspending the permit under the appeal procedures in Article 15, Title 2, Chapter 1 of the Code (BMC 10-1-673.5.E).

Signage Rules

Burbank Municipal Code 10-1-672.K prohibits any sign, nameplate, or other advertising on the premises of a home occupation except one non-free-standing sign per dwelling unit, not exceeding one-half square foot, located on the mailbox or near the mail delivery area. No alteration of the premises to attract attention to the home occupation is allowed.

Key details: Code Section: BMC 10-1-672(K) (Signs and Advertising). Max Signs: 1 per dwelling unit. Max Area: 0.5 square foot. Type: Non-free-standing only. Location: On the mailbox or near mail delivery area.

Displaying any prohibited sign or advertising, or altering the premises to attract attention to the home occupation, violates BMC 10-1-672.K. The Community Development Director may treat it as non-compliance with Division 11 and revoke or suspend the home occupation business permit after 15 days' notice under BMC 10-1-673.5.D.

This is one of the stricter rules in Burbank's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

Zoning Restrictions

Burbank Municipal Code 10-1-672 limits a home occupation to no more than the greater of 400 square feet or 20 percent of the combined dwelling/accessory floor area, restricts work to residents of the dwelling (one non-resident allowed only for a cottage food operation), and confines the activity and storage to inside the dwelling or an enclosed roofed accessory structure that is not a garage. A maximum of two home occupations may be conducted per residence.

Key details: Code Section: BMC 10-1-672 (Specific Restrictions). Max Floor Area: Greater of 400 sq ft or 20% of dwelling+accessory. Max Home Occupations: 2 per residence. Employees: Residents only (1 non-resident for cottage food). Location: Inside dwelling or enclosed non-garage structure.

A home occupation exceeding the Division 11 zoning standards is a violation of Title 10 of the Burbank Municipal Code. The Community Development Director may revoke or suspend the home occupation business permit after 15 days' notice under BMC 10-1-673.5.D, with appeal rights under Article 15, Title 2, Chapter 1.

Customer Traffic Restrictions

Burbank Municipal Code 10-1-672 provides that a home occupation shall not create pedestrian or vehicular traffic in excess of that normal to a residential use, and bars commercial vehicles on the premises except one residential-use vehicle no longer than 22 feet and no higher than 8 feet that is used for residential purposes at least 51 percent of the time weekly. Music lessons are separately capped at ten students per day and two students per lesson.

Key details: Code Section: BMC 10-1-672(I), (J), (M). Traffic Standard: No more than normal residential traffic. Commercial Vehicles: 1 max; <=22 ft long, <=8 ft high. Vehicle Residential Use: >=51% of weekly use. Music Students/Day: 10 max; 2 per lesson.

Generating traffic beyond what is normal to a residence, or parking/using a non-conforming commercial vehicle, violates BMC 10-1-672. The Community Development Director may revoke or suspend the home occupation business permit after 15 days' notice under BMC 10-1-673.5.D, subject to appeal under Article 15, Title 2, Chapter 1.

Cottage Food Operations

Burbank Municipal Code 10-1-672 expressly recognizes a cottage food operation as a permitted home occupation, allowing one non-resident employee and use of the home kitchen area permitted by the Health Department, with accessory structures limited to storage. Cottage food operations are governed at the state level by California Health & Safety Code Section 113758, which the City code cross-references.

Key details: City Code Section: BMC 10-1-672(B), (C), (D)(3), (F). State Law: CA Health & Safety Code Sec. 113758. Non-Resident Employees: 1 allowed (cottage food only). Permitted Area: Home kitchen area per Health Department. Accessory Structures: Storage only.

Conducting food handling, processing, warehousing, or packaging that is not a permitted cottage food operation with a valid Health Department permit is prohibited as a home occupation under BMC 10-1-673.D. Non-compliant operations may have their home occupation business permit revoked or suspended after 15 days' notice under BMC 10-1-673.5.D, and state cottage food requirements under HSC 113758 remain independently enforceable by the county environmental health agency.

Home Daycare

Family child care homes are protected by CA SB 234 (effective 2020). Cities cannot require zoning permits, special spacing, or concentration limits for family daycare. Small family daycare (up to 8 children) and large family daycare (up to 14 children) are permitted in residential zones by right.

Key details: State Law: CA SB 234 (2020). Small Daycare: Up to 8 children. Large Daycare: Up to 14 children. Zoning Permit: Cannot be required by city. Business License: Cannot be required for daycare.

Operating without a license: closure and fines $500 to $5,000. Safety violations: license suspension. Exceeding capacity: immediate correction required.

The rules around home daycare in Burbank lean permissive, but that does not mean anything goes.

The Bottom Line

Burbank's home business rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Burbank is broadly strict or permissive.

Keep in mind that Burbank can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.