Chino Hills, CA Business Licensing & Operations: Auto Repair on Residential Property (2026)

Chino Hills' Home Occupation Permit (HOP) ordinance, Chapter 16.56 of the Development Code, does not allow home-based auto repair under any circumstances. Section 16.56.035(A) lists fourteen categories of business found incompatible with residential neighborhoods, and item 11 specifically bars storage, repair, or reconditioning of motorized vehicles, large equipment, or major household appliances on-site. The same list bans a related use, tow truck service, in item 12. Section 16.56.035(B) closes any gap: any business or home occupation that does not comply with the performance standards of Section 16.56.020 or the permitted-use list of Section 16.56.030, and that is not separately authorized by the Community Development Director or Planning Commission, is prohibited outright.

Because home auto repair sits on the express prohibited list rather than the permitted list, the Community Development Department cannot issue an HOP for it under the application procedure in Section 16.56.050; an application describing vehicle repair work would be denied under Section 16.56.050(D), with the applicant able to appeal that denial to the Planning Commission under Section 1.20.010 of the Municipal Code. A resident who runs a repair operation without a valid HOP, or who obtained one for a different described use and then repairs vehicles anyway, exposes the property to City Code Enforcement action and permit revocation under Section 16.56.070, in addition to citation for operating an unpermitted home occupation.