Home Business in Merced County, CA (2026)
5 rules for unincorporated Merced County, California.
Verified from official government sources
Zoning & Home Occupation Permits
Unincorporated Merced County allows home occupations only with an approved Zoning Clearance, run by someone who lives in the house plus at most one non-resident employee, confined to the lesser of 250 square feet or 25% of the living space, and never changing the residential character of the property.
Merced County Home Occupation Zoning Rules
Some RestrictionsMerced County Zoning Code § 18.60.070
In zones where permitted, home occupations shall require review and approval of a Zoning Clearance subject to the following standards: A. Operation. 1. Home occupations shall be operated by individuals that reside in the household, with the exception of one non-resident employee... B. 2. Space for the home occupation, including related storage, is limited to the lesser of 250 square feet or 25%...
Signage Rules
Unincorporated Merced County bars home-based businesses from any advertising that calls attention to the home, including signs, and prohibits telephone listings or mass-media ads that reveal the home address, under the home occupation standards of the Zoning Code.
Merced County Home Business Sign Ban
Significant RestrictionsMerced County Zoning Code § 18.60.070(A)(5), (B)(1)
5. There shall be no advertising which calls attention to the home used for business purposes. Telephone listings and mass media advertising shall not include the home address... B. Appearance and Physical Features. 1. The appearance of the structure shall not be altered nor the occupation within the residence be conducted in a manner which would cause the premises to differ from its residentia...
Customer Traffic Restrictions
Unincorporated Merced County caps the pedestrian and vehicular traffic a home-based business can generate at normal residential levels, and limits parked business vehicles to a standard car, van, or pickup, under the home occupation standards of the Zoning Code.
Merced County Home Business Traffic Limit
Some RestrictionsMerced County Zoning Code § 18.60.070(A)(3), (C)(2)
2. The home occupation shall not generate pedestrian or vehicular traffic beyond that which is normal in a residential area... 3. Vehicles relating to a home occupation shall not be parked at the subject residence if they exceed a typical utility car, van, or pickup truck. Not more than one vehicle specifically for advertising a home occupation shall be permitted.
Cottage Food Operations
In unincorporated Merced County, a cottage or artisanal food operator (CFO) making low-risk food products at a private residence must obtain a Zoning Clearance from the Planning Department before selling. The operation must also comply with County Division of Environmental Health requirements and may employ only one full-time worker who is not a family or household member.
Merced County Cottage Food Home Business Rule
Some RestrictionsMerced County Zoning Code § 18.60.050
Purpose. The purpose of this section is to regulate the establishment and operation of cottage food and artisanal operations which allow for low-risk products to be made or repackaged at a private residence for sale to consumers. ... Compliance with County Division of Environmental Health. The cottage or artisanal food operations shall comply with County Division of Environmental Health require...
Home Daycare
Unincorporated Merced County lets a large family child care home for 9 to 14 children operate with the Director's approval, subject to outdoor play space, setback, and spacing standards, while small homes serving eight or fewer children follow state law without added county zoning conditions.
Merced County Family Child Care Home Rules
Some RestrictionsMerced County Zoning Code § 18.60.150(C)(1)
a. Large Child Day Care Home. A large child day care home shall be allowed subject to the Director's approval provided the proposal meets the following standards... c. The home is either situated on a parcel zoned for residential use and meets a minimum standard of 75 square feet of outdoor activity space for each ambulatory child... g. Is located at least 800 feet from any other large child da...
All Merced County ordinances
See every category we cover for Merced County: parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.
Merced County Ordinance Hub →