Home Business in Imperial County, CA (2026)

4 rules for unincorporated Imperial County, California.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of Imperial County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply: see the city list below.

Zoning & Home Occupation Permits

Home occupations are a listed permitted use in Imperial County's R-1 and R-2 residential zones, but only when the owner-occupant obtains a home occupation permit under Division 4, Chapter 4 of the Land Use Ordinance.

Imperial County Home Occupation Zoning

Some Restrictions

Imperial County Code § 90502.01

The following uses are permitted in the R-1 Zone provided they meet the requirements of this Title: ...g)Home Occupation per Division 4, Chapter 4 of Title 9 Land Use Ordinance (Home Occupation Permit required).

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Signage Rules

Imperial County flatly bans any sign at a home occupation site that identifies the service being offered, keeping the business visually undetectable from the street under the county's home occupation standards.

Imperial County Home Business Sign Ban

Heavy Restrictions

Imperial County Code § 90404.03(K)

Home occupations shall comply with all of the following standards: A.The home occupation shall be conducted solely by the occupant of the residence.B.The home occupation shall be conducted entirely within the primary or approved secondary structure.C.Not more than twenty percent (20%) of the gross floor area of any residence shall be used for such purpose.D.A detached accessory building may ...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Customer Traffic Restrictions

Imperial County requires a home occupation to be conducted by appointment only, with no on-premises sales and no commercial freight deliveries, keeping client traffic low enough that neighbors don't notice a business.

Imperial County Home Business Client Visits

Some Restrictions

Imperial County Code § 90404.03(G)

Home occupations shall comply with all of the following standards: A.The home occupation shall be conducted solely by the occupant of the residence.B.The home occupation shall be conducted entirely within the primary or approved secondary structure.C.Not more than twenty percent (20%) of the gross floor area of any residence shall be used for such purpose.D.A detached accessory building may ...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Home Daycare

Both large and small family daycare homes are listed as permitted uses in Imperial County's low-density residential zone, following the state law categories that control how many children they can serve.

Imperial County Home Daycare Zoning

Few Restrictions

Imperial County Code § 90502.01(i), (s)

i) Large Family Daycare Home as defined by CA Health and Safety Code Section 1597.46. ... s) Small Family Daycare as defined by CA Health and Safety Code Section 1597.44 and 1597.45.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

All Imperial County ordinances

See every category we cover for Imperial County: parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.

Imperial County Ordinance Hub →