Home Business in Santa Monica, CA (2026)
5 verified home business rules for Santa Monica, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Zoning & Home Occupation Permits
Home occupations in Santa Monica require a Zoning Conformance Review before the City will issue a business license, confirming the use is incidental to the residential use and complies with Section 9.31.160.
Home Business: Home Occupation Permits
Light RestrictionsSanta Monica Municipal Code § 9.38.020; § 9.38.030; § 9.52.020.1110
§ 9.38.020. Applicability. Zoning Conformance Review is required for the following permits, licenses, or uses to ensure compliance with all provisions of this Chapter: A. Business license for any initiation of a use pursuant to Chapter 6.04. B. Home occupations subject to the provisions of Section 9.31.160. § 9.38.030. B. Determination. The Director shall determine whether this Ordinance allow...
Signage Rules
Home occupations in Santa Monica may display only the occupant's address and name: no business signs, logos, or outdoor advertising of any kind are permitted.
Home Business: Signage
Significant RestrictionsSanta Monica Municipal Code § 9.31.160
5. There shall be no signs other than the address and name of any resident. 6. There shall be no outdoor advertising that identifies the home occupation. 7. No commercial vehicles may be used for delivery of materials, with the exception of reasonable courier services, to or from the premises. No more than one vehicle larger than a three-quarter ton truck may be used in connection with a home o...
Customer Traffic Restrictions
Home occupations in Santa Monica are capped at 6 client visits per 24-hour period and must not generate vehicle or foot traffic beyond what is normal for a residential neighborhood.
Home Business: Customer Traffic
Some RestrictionsSanta Monica Municipal Code § 9.31.160
14. The home occupation shall not generate pedestrian or vehicular traffic beyond that ordinarily generated in the residential district in which it is located. A maximum of 6 client visits is allowed during any 24 hour period. 15. The home occupation shall not result in excess use of utilities and public facilities in amounts greater than normally provided for residential use. 16. The home occu...
Cottage Food Operations
Cottage food operations as defined under California Health and Safety Code § 113758 are explicitly recognized as a home occupation exception in Santa Monica, permitting non-resident workers on the premises.
Home Business: Cottage Food
Light RestrictionsSanta Monica Municipal Code § 9.31.160
11. No employees other than residents of the dwelling unit shall be allowed to work, gather or congregate on the premises in connection with a home occupation, with the exception of babysitters, domestic staff, or cottage food operations as defined in California Health and Safety Code Section 113758. 12. Where the person conducting the home occupation serves as an agent or intermediary between ...
Home Daycare
Large family day cares are permitted in Santa Monica residential dwellings without hour or day restrictions, provided the operator lives full-time in the home and the facility is state-licensed.
Home Business: Daycare Home
Light RestrictionsSanta Monica Municipal Code § 9.31.135
A. Structures. A large family day care shall conform to all property development standards of the zoning district in which it is located unless otherwise provided in this Section. B. Noise. The operation of a large family day care shall comply with noise standards contained in Chapter 4.12, Noise, of the Municipal Code. Noise from the operation of any large family day care may not exceed that w...
Looking for Los Angeles County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Santa Monica city rules.
Home Business in Los Angeles County →