Home Business in San Diego County, CA (2026)

5 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 10 cities in San Diego County, California.

Verified from official government sources

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

Zoning & Home Occupation Permits

In unincorporated San Diego County, a home occupation is a permitted accessory use by right under Zoning Ordinance Section 6156.m when its conditions are met: there is no separate discretionary home-occupation permit, and the County does not currently require a business license for cottage food operators in the unincorporated area.

San Diego County Home Occupation Permits

Some Restrictions

County of San Diego Planning & Development Services, Form PDS-304 Home Occupations (Rev. 11/2014), Zoning Ordinance § 6156.m

6156.m Home Occupations. Home occupations, including in-home offices, shall be permitted in compliance with the following conditions: 1. There shall be no exterior evidence of the conduct of a home occupation. 2. A home occupation shall be conducted entirely within a dwelling, or an attached garage. However, a Cottage Foods Operation, as defined by Health and Safety Code Sec...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Signage Rules

A home occupation in unincorporated San Diego County may display just one sign, and it cannot exceed 2 square feet. The sign can show only the occupant's name and occupation; no other advertising or exterior evidence of the business is allowed under the Zoning Ordinance.

San Diego County Home Business Sign Limits

Some Restrictions

San Diego County Zoning Ordinance §§ 6156(m)(8), 6252(d)

m. Home Occupations. Home occupations, including in-home offices, shall be permitted in compliance with the following conditions: ... 8. There shall be no signs identifying or advertising the home occupation other than those permitted by Section 6252(d) of this ordinance. ... 6252 EXEMPT ON-PREMISE SIGNS. The following shall be exempt from these regulations and shall not require sign permits. ....

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Customer Traffic Restrictions

Unincorporated San Diego County caps home occupation traffic: a home business can't generate vehicular or pedestrian traffic beyond what's normal for its zone, under County Zoning Ordinance § 6156.m(10).

San Diego County Home Business Customer Traffic Limit

Some Restrictions

San Diego County Zoning Ordinance § 6156.m(10)

A home occupation shall not create vehicular or pedestrian traffic in excess of that which is normal for the zone in which it is located. 11. No more than six non-resident students at one time, and no more than 18 students during any one (1) day may be given tutoring in music, academics, dance, sports (such as swimming or tennis, not withstanding subsection 1 and 2 above), or other subjects a...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Cottage Food Operations

Cottage Food Operations in unincorporated San Diego County that draw drinking water from a private well cannot get a CFO permit until they prove the well meets a "Transient Non-Community Water System" standard under County Code § 61.116. The Department of Environmental Health and Quality requires a full water-quality panel with the application and renewed nitrate, nitrite and bacteriological samples every year the permit is active.

San Diego County Cottage Food Water Testing Rule

Some Restrictions

San Diego County Code § 61.116

(a) Cottage Food Operations (CFOs) whose potable water supply comes from a private well shall submit with their permit application sample results verifying the water supply meets at minimum a "Transient Non-Community Water System" standard, as defined in HSC Section 116275(o). Sample results shall include nitrate, nitrite, bicarbonate, carbonate and hydroxide alkalinity, calcium, iron, magnes...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Home Daycare

In unincorporated San Diego County, a small family day care home (8 or fewer children) is a permitted residential use with no zoning permit needed, while a large home (9 to 14 children) requires an Administrative Permit and 500 feet of separation from any other large day care home.

San Diego County Home Daycare Zoning

Some Restrictions

San Diego County Zoning Ordinance § 6156.y

y. Family Day Care Home For Children, Large (9 to 14 children). A large family day care home for children is a permitted accessory use upon issuance of an Administrative Permit provided the following conditions are complied with: 1. No such large family day care home for children may be located closer than 500 feet from any other lot containing a large family day care home for children with an ...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗