Redlands, CA Business Licensing & Operations: Auto Repair on Residential Property (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit required
- Home occupation permit, planning dept.
- Space cap
- 10% of dwelling or one room, whichever less
- Outdoor work/storage
- Prohibited, incl. vehicle storage
- Renewal
- Annual, with city business license
- Max misdemeanor penalty
- 6 months jail / $1,000 fine
Summary
Redlands allows a business to run from a house only as a permitted "home occupation" under City Code Chapter 18.160, and the criteria in Section 18.160.020 effectively rule out a working auto repair shop: no equipment beyond what is normal to a residential district, no outdoor vehicle storage, and no use of an accessory building.
B. There shall be no material or equipment used that is not recognized as being part of the normal practices in the residential district. ... G. ... No more than ten percent (10%) of the total square footage of the dwelling or one room of the dwelling, whichever is less, shall be employed for the home occupation. Use of the garage for the home occupation may be permitted if such use does not obstruct required parking. H. No accessory building or space outside of the main building shall be used for the home occupation. No outdoor storage, including the storage or parking of vehicles associated with the use, shall be permitted.
Full Breakdown
030). 050). For a home auto repair operation, three of those criteria are decisive. not recognized as being part of the normal practices in the residential district," which reaches diagnostic scanners, lifts, air compressors and similar shop equipment. Subsection H bars any "accessory building or space outside of the main building" from being used for the occupation and flatly states that "no outdoor storage, including the storage or parking of vehicles associated with the use, shall be permitted," ruling out working on customer cars in a driveway or side yard. 020(L)). 090).
Violations & Fines
Operating without an approved home occupation permit, or violating an approved permit's conditions, lets the planning commission void the permit under Section 18.160.090. Beyond permit loss, unpermitted business activity in a residential zone is a code violation: absent a specific penalty, Redlands City Code Section 1.20.020 makes it a misdemeanor punishable by up to six months in county jail, a fine up to $1,000.00, or both, or the city attorney may charge it as an infraction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I run an auto repair business out of my garage in Redlands?
Do I need a permit to fix cars for pay at my Redlands home?
What happens if I violate my home occupation permit conditions?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Redlands
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