6 rules for unincorporated Nevada County, California.
Verified from official government sources
Section 12.03.110 of the Nevada County Zoning Regulations allows limited commercial activity from a residence as an accessory use in residential and rural districts. The home business must be clearly incidental and subordinate to the single-family residence, occupy a limited floor area, and not impact surrounding properties.
Nevada County Code Secs. 12.02.021 and 12.03.110 (Ord. 2533, adopted 12/05/2023)
A. Purpose. To provide for limited commercial activity in the residential and rural districts on properties developed with a residence as the primary use, provided that the home business activity does not impact surrounding residential properties. [...] 4. The use of the property for any home business shall be clearly incidental and subordinate to its use as a single-family residence and shall ...
Under Nevada County Code Section 12.03.110, a home business that requires a permit may have one on-site freestanding or wall sign limited to a maximum of four square feet, and it may not be illuminated. Permit-exempt home businesses may not have any signage at all.
Nevada County Code Sec. 12.03.110(B)(2), (5), (9) (Ord. 2533, adopted 12/05/2023)
5. The business shall not alter the appearance of the premises, including but not limited to lighting, signage and outdoor activity. [...] 9. One on-site, freestanding or wall sign for businesses requiring a permit, shall be limited to a maximum four (4) square feet and may not be illuminated. [...] 2. Home businesses which are exempt from the permit requirements of this Section shall be subjec...
Home businesses in unincorporated Nevada County are limited to six business-related round trips per day, confined to 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday, with all business parking provided on site. Educational tutoring gets a limited exception, and permit-exempt home businesses may not generate any customer traffic.
Nevada County Code Sec. 12.03.110(B)(7)-(8) (Ord. 2533, adopted 12/05/2023)
7. No more than 6 business-related vehicle trips (round trips) per day are permitted. Business related traffic trips shall be limited to the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday. The following exceptions to this standard are allowed for educational tutoring: a. Business related vehicle trips for educational tutoring may be averaged to allow a maximum 36 trips during the allo...
Nevada County Environmental Health registers and permits cottage food operations under California's cottage food law (AB-1616 / Health and Safety Code 113758). Class A (direct sales) operators may earn up to $75,000 in gross annual sales; Class B (direct and indirect sales) up to $150,000. Local zoning compliance is required first.
Nevada County Environmental Health, Cottage Food FAQ (citing Nevada County Code Sec. 12.03.110 and AB 1616)
Yes: A CFO will need a permit from the applicable City, Town or County Planning Department and the Department of Environmental Health as follows: County Planning Department - Includes the unincorporated areas of the county. The Planning Department requires that you obtain a Home Business Permit, which is a ministerial administrative permit pursuant to Section 12.03.110 of the Nevada County Code...
Under California Health and Safety Code 1597.45, a small or large family daycare home is a residential use by right in all zoning districts. Nevada County cannot require a conditional use permit, zoning clearance, or business license. Small homes serve up to 8 children and large homes up to 14; the State licenses providers.
Nevada County Code Sec. 12.03.090(C) (Ord. 2533, adopted 12/05/2023; formerly LUDC Sec. L-II 3.9)
C. Standards. Such facilities shall be considered a residential use on all parcels within all zoning districts where residential uses are allowed, subject to zoning compliance and building permit issuance and the following standards: 1. The facility shall be the principal residence of the day care provider and the use shall be clearly incidental and secondary to the use of the property as a sin...
Most home businesses in unincorporated Nevada County require an Administrative Development Permit under Section 12.03.110, though they are not subject to design review. Office uses and arts/crafts fabrication conducted entirely within the residence are exempt from the permit but must still file all required information and may not have signs or customer traffic.
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