Home Occupation Permits: Citrus Heights vs Elk Grove
How do home occupation permits rules compare between Citrus Heights, CA and Elk Grove, CA?
Citrus Heights and Elk Grove have similar restriction levels.
Citrus Heights, CA
Sacramento County
Citrus Heights requires a Home Occupation Permit and business license for any business operated from a residence. Home occupations must be incidental to the residential use, conducted entirely within the dwelling, and produce no external evidence of the business (no signs, no customer traffic, no employees).
View full Citrus Heights rules →Elk Grove, CA
Sacramento County
Elk Grove requires a Home Occupation Permit and business license for any home-based business. The activity must be clearly incidental to residential use, conducted entirely within the dwelling, employ only residents plus limited non-resident assistance, generate no customer traffic beyond normal residential patterns, and produce no exterior evidence. Permit application filed with Planning Division; business license through Finance Department.
View full Elk Grove rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Citrus Heights | Elk Grove |
|---|---|---|
| Permit Required | Home Occupation Permit | - |
| Business License | Required annually | - |
| Employees | Residents only | Residents only (limits on non-residents) |
| Customer Visits | Limited by appointment | None or strictly limited |
| Signs | Prohibited | - |
| Permit | - | Home Occupation Permit + business license |
| Floor Area | - | Typically max 25% of dwelling |
| Signage | - | Not permitted (generally) |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Citrus Heights FAQ
Can I have clients come to my home office?
Limited client visits by appointment may be allowed depending on the business type, but walk-in traffic and regular customer visits are generally prohibited.
Do I need a permit for a fully online business?
Yes. Citrus Heights requires a business license for any commercial activity, including online-only businesses operating from a home address.
Elk Grove FAQ
Can I run an online business from my Elk Grove home?
Yes, online businesses with no customer visits, no non-resident employees, and no exterior evidence are typically approved. You still need the Home Occupation Permit and business license.
Are Cottage Food Operations allowed?
Yes. California AB 1616/AB 1240 permit limited cottage food (baked goods, jams, granola) from registered home kitchens. Register with Sacramento County Environmental Management.
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