Home Business in Santa Clarita, CA (2026)
5 verified home business rules for Santa Clarita, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Zoning & Home Occupation Permits
Every home-based business in Santa Clarita needs a home occupation permit under Chapter 17.65, and only one is allowed per dwelling unit. The permit limits work to residents of the home, bars exterior storage, caps instruction classes at five pupils, and restricts visits and deliveries to 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekends.
Santa Clarita Home Occupation Permit Standards
Some RestrictionsSanta Clarita, CA, Unified Development Code §§ 17.65.010, 17.65.040(A),(F),(N)
All home occupations shall be subject to approval of a home occupation permit and shall comply with the provisions of this chapter. ... A. There shall be no more than one (1) home occupation permitted for each dwelling unit. ... F. Only the residents of the dwelling unit may be engaged in the home occupation. ... N. Visitation and deliveries incidental to the home occupation shall be limited to...
Signage Rules
Santa Clarita allows no signage at all for home-based businesses. Section 17.65.040(I) of the Unified Development Code states plainly that no signs shall be permitted for home-based businesses, a flat rule that applies to every home occupation permit the City issues, regardless of the size or type of sign proposed.
Santa Clarita Bars Home Business Signs
Heavy RestrictionsSanta Clarita, CA, Unified Development Code § 17.65.040(I)
H. The establishment and conduct of a home occupation shall not change the principal character or use of the dwelling unit involved. I. No signs shall be permitted for home-based businesses.
Customer Traffic Restrictions
Santa Clarita caps how much foot and vehicle traffic a home-based business can generate. Development Code Section 17.65.040(K) bars traffic beyond what's normal for the zone, and subsection (N) restricts visits and deliveries to set daytime hours, with none allowed on holidays.
Santa Clarita Home Occupation Visitor Limits
Some RestrictionsSanta Clarita, CA, Unified Development Code §§ 17.65.020(B), 17.65.040(K), (N)
§ 17.65.020. Applicability. ... B. Business and professional offices, excluding medical, dental, and similar uses that involve regular patient visits to the site; provided, that no retail sales transactions are made on the premises and that no employees, customers, or clients visit the site except as specifically allowed by this section. ... § 17.65.040. Regulations. ... K. A home occupation sh...
Cottage Food Operations
Cottage food operations allowed per CA law. Max 1 non-family employee. No signs except government-required. Must comply with LA County DPH and CA DPH requirements.
Santa Clarita Cottage Food Operation Rules
Some RestrictionsCalifornia Health and Safety Code Section 113758
113758. (a) "Cottage food operation" means an enterprise that has no more than the amount in gross annual sales that is specified in this subdivision, is operated by a cottage food operator, and has no more than one full-time equivalent cottage food employee, not including a family member or household member of the cottage food operator, within the registered or permitted area of a private home...
Home Daycare
Santa Clarita treats licensed family day care homes as a residential use, not a business needing a conditional use permit. Small family day care for up to 14 children and adult day care for up to six adults are permitted by-right in every residential zone under UDC Section 17.42.010.
Santa Clarita Home Daycare Zoning Rules
Light RestrictionsSanta Clarita, CA, Unified Development Code Sec. 17.42.010 (Residential Use Types)
4. Family Day Care Homes ... Includes a private single-family dwelling where nonmedical care and protection are provided to individuals for periods less than 24 hours. a. Adult—up to six adults. b. Family—up to 14 children. Family day care homes shall be licensed by the State and consistent with Section 1597.30 of the Health and Safety Code. 2 fully enclosed spaces
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County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Santa Clarita city rules.
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