Union City, CA Business Licensing & Operations: Auto Repair on Residential Property (2026)
Key Facts
- Home business use
- Auto repair prohibited entirely
- Personal repair
- Minor repairs only, own vehicle
- Banned work
- Engine, transmission, frame, painting
- Location rule
- Right-of-way repairs prohibited
- Storage
- Must be in private garage
Summary
Union City bans auto repair as a home occupation outright and limits at-home vehicle repair by residents to minor work only: no engine, transmission, frame, or paint work, and none in the public right-of-way.
Repairs to automobiles and other vehicles or equipment shall be limited to minor repair on vehicles or equipment owned by a resident of the premises that may be stored within a private garage. Minor repair shall include minor adjustment or repair to mechanical, electrical systems, small parts replacement, brake pad and wheel replacement or repair, and shall not include engine, transmission or drive train removal or replacement, frame or body and fender work, welding or painting. Minor repair work when done in public view shall be completed in a timely manner and no vehicle shall be left unattended on lacks or temporary supports. Repair work shall not be done in the public right-of-way. (Ord. 55-64 § 6.1, 1964; Ord. 55.28-67 § 2, 1967; Ord. 55.145-75 § 2, 1975; Ord. 55.229-81 § 3, 1981; Ord. 55.265-86 § 2, 1986; Ord. 342-90 § 2, 1990; amended during 1991 republication; Ord. 55.321-91, Exh. A, 1991; Ord. 55.323-91, Exh. C, 1991; Ord. 430-94 § 2, 1994; Ord. 457-95 § 2, 1995; Ord. 513-98 Exh. A-1, 1998; Ord. 523-98 § 2(C), 1998; Ord. 548-99 § 1(2), 1999; Ord. 557-00 § 2, 2000; Ord. 609-03 § 2, 2003; Ord. 670-06 § 3, 2006; Ord. 712-08 § 2, 2008; Ord. 731-10 § 2, 2010; Ord. 764-11 § 2, 2011; Ord. 796-14 § 2, 2014; Ord. 836-16 § 4, 2016; Ord. 849-18 § 4, 2018; Ord. 883-21 § 4, 2021; Ord. 900-22 § 4, 2022)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4940544; v16 updated 2026-06-23).
Full Breakdown
Municipal Code § 18.32.020(G)(13)(c) prohibits automobile repair services as a home occupation entirely. Separately, § 18.32.020(R) allows residents to do minor repairs on their own vehicles stored in a private garage, adjustments, small parts, brakes, and wheels, but bars engine, transmission, or drive-train removal, frame or body work, welding, or painting. Repairs done in public view must be finished promptly with no vehicle left on blocks or temporary supports, and no repair work may occur in the public right-of-way.
Violations & Fines
Operating a repair shop from a home, doing major repairs (engine, transmission, frame, painting, welding), leaving a vehicle on blocks for an extended period, or repairing in the street or right-of-way violates § 18.32.020; code enforcement can cite and order the work stopped.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I run an auto repair business out of my Union City home?
Can I fix my own car in my driveway?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Union City
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