Home Business in Fresno, CA (2026)
6 verified home business rules for Fresno, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Zoning Restrictions
Fresno Citywide Development Code Section 15-2735 allows home occupations in all residential units citywide regardless of zoning, but limits the business to 25 percent of the dwelling's floor area, requires the residential appearance to be maintained with no exterior indication of the business, confines activity to the dwelling or an enclosed garage, and permits no more than one non-resident employee.
Home occupation: 25% area cap, one employee (FMC 15-2735)
Some RestrictionsFresno Municipal Code (Citywide Development Code) Sec. 15-2735(B), (E)(1), (E)(3), (E)(4)
B. Applicability. This section applies to all residential units and properties in the city regardless of their zoning designation. It does not apply to family day care homes, which are regulated separately in Section 15-2725, Day Care Centers and Family Child Care Homes. E. Residential Appearance. The residential appearance of the unit within which the home occupation is conducted shall be main...
Signage Rules
Fresno Citywide Development Code Section 15-2735(E) requires that the residential appearance of the unit be maintained and that no exterior indication of a home occupation is permitted, effectively prohibiting any business sign on the property. Section 15-2735(G) refers signage to Article 26, Signs, but the no-exterior-indication standard means home-occupation signs are not allowed.
No exterior sign allowed for home occupations (FMC 15-2735)
Heavy RestrictionsFresno Municipal Code (Citywide Development Code) Sec. 15-2735(E), (G)
E. Residential Appearance. The residential appearance of the unit within which the home occupation is conducted shall be maintained, and no exterior indication of a home occupation is permitted. G. Signage. Refer to Article 26, Signs.
Customer Traffic Restrictions
Fresno Citywide Development Code Section 15-2735(E) generally bars customer visits except for personal instruction (musical, art, tutoring), which is capped at eight clients/students per day and no more than three at one time. Client/employee hours are limited to 7 a.m.-7 p.m., only one operator-owned vehicle (one ton or less) may be used for the business, and direct on-site sales are prohibited except by mail, phone, or internet.
Limited clients, one work vehicle, 7am-7pm (FMC 15-2735)
Some RestrictionsFresno Municipal Code (Citywide Development Code) Sec. 15-2735(E)(5), (7), (8), (11)
5. On-Site Client Contact. No customer or client visits are permitted except for personal instruction services (e.g., musical instruction or training, art lessons, academic tutoring). A total of eight clients and/or students per day may be permitted, however there may be no more than three clients/students at any one time. Clients/students hours of arrival and/or departure shall be staggered as...
Cottage Food Operations
Fresno Citywide Development Code Section 15-2735(E)(14) permits Cottage Food Preparation as a home occupation, subject to California Government Code 51035 and Health and Safety Code 113758, with preparation and storage inside the primary residence and no outdoor storage. Section 15-2735(H) lists 27 specific businesses that are prohibited as home occupations, including auto repair, restaurants, retail sales, and commercial food handling other than cottage food.
Cottage food OK; 27 businesses banned (FMC 15-2735)
Some RestrictionsFresno Municipal Code (Citywide Development Code) Sec. 15-2735(E)(14), (H); Cal. Gov. Code 51035; Cal. Health & Safety Code 113758
14. Cottage Food Preparation. Cottage Food Preparation is permitted subject to compliance with Government Code 51035 and Health and Safety Code 113758. Food preparation and storage shall be done within the primary residence. There shall be no outdoor storage of material while all activities must occur within the primary residence, not including the garage and/or accessory buildings. H. Prohibit...
Home Daycare
California Government Code §§1596.78 et seq. preempts local zoning for small (up to 8 children) and large (up to 14 children) family daycare homes, treating them as residential use. Fresno cannot require a conditional use permit or additional parking for state-licensed family daycares, but must allow them in all residential zones with a state license.
Home Daycare Rules in Fresno
Few RestrictionsHome Occupation Permits
Fresno requires a Home Occupation Permit (HOP) under FMC §15-2739 for most home-based businesses, plus a Business Tax Certificate from Finance under FMC Chapter 7. HOP applications are reviewed administratively by Planning, typically within 2-4 weeks, with an application fee of roughly $100-$200.
Home Occupation Permits in Fresno
Some RestrictionsLooking for Fresno County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Fresno city rules.
Home Business in Fresno County →