Home Business in Monterey County, CA (2026)
3 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Monterey County, California.
Verified from official government sources
Zoning & Home Occupation Permits
Monterey County Code 21.64.090 (inland) and 20.64.090 (coastal) allow home occupations by right in residential and farmland districts, but limit them to a resident-run, indoor business using equipment normally found in the home, with no outside employees, no noxious odors or fumes, and no increase in neighborhood noise or traffic.
Monterey County Home Occupation Zoning Standards
Some RestrictionsMonterey County Code 20.64.090(C) (Home Occupations - Regulations)
1. ...occupations using facilities, equipment and materials normally found in the home... 2. No persons other than the resident and immediate family residing on site may be employed. 3. All facets of the home occupation must be contained in the residence or inside structures on-site. 4. [No] production of noxious or toxic odors or fumes... no increase... of noise or traffic levels above those o...
Signage Rules
Monterey County Code 20.64.090 / 21.64.090 prohibits any advertising for a home occupation on the property. Residential parcels may display only a nameplate-and-address sign under the County sign rules, and that sign may not be used to advertise a home-based business.
Monterey County Home Business Signage Ban
Heavy RestrictionsMonterey County Code 20.64.090(C)(5) (Home Occupations - Regulations)
5. There shall be no advertising for the home occupation allowed on the property.
Home Daycare
In unincorporated Monterey County, a small family day care home for up to six children is a permitted use in every residential zoning district under Title 21, no discretionary review needed. A large family day care home, state-licensed for seven to twelve children, requires a Use Permit under Chapter 21.74, meaning a public hearing before the Zoning Administrator or Planning Commission before it can legally operate.
Monterey County Home Daycare Zoning Rules
Some RestrictionsMonterey County Code §§ 21.06.270, 21.06.280, 21.10.030(G), 21.10.050(P)
21.06.270 - Day care home, large family. "Large family day care home" means a home licensed as such by the State of California to provide day care for seven to twelve (12) children, inclusive of the children who reside at the home. 21.06.280 - Day care home, small family. "Small family day care home" means a home licensed as such by the State of California to provide day care for one to six ch...
Home Business by City in Monterey County
1 cities in Monterey County have their own home business rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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