Kern County, CA Home Business: Customer Traffic Restrictions (2026)
Key Facts
- Customer visits
- By appointment only
- Workers
- Residents of the home only
- Floor area
- Max 25 percent of one floor
- On-site sales
- Only products made on premises
- Business vehicles
- Five tons gross weight max
Summary
Home occupations in unincorporated Kern County must be run by appointment only and solely by residents of the home. Freight deliveries beyond normal residential frequency are prohibited, and on-site sales are limited to products made on the premises.
19.94.040 MINIMUM STANDARDS. A home occupation shall comply with the following minimum standards: A. The home occupation shall be conducted solely by the occupants of the residence. B. Not more than twenty-five percent (25%) of the gross area of one (1) floor of a residence, or equivalent area in an enclosed detached accessory building, shall be used for such purpose, including storage space required in conjunction with the home occupation. C. No use shall require external alterations or involve construction features or the use of electrical or mechanical equipment that would change the fire rating of the structure or the fire district in which the structure is located. D. There shall be no outside storage of any kind related to the home occupation. E. The home occupation shall be conducted by appointment only. F. The home occupation shall not require the services of commercial carrier freight deliveries at the site in a frequency greater than normally found in a residential area. G. No home occupation shall create noise, dust, vibration, smell, smoke, glare, electrical interference, fire hazard, or any other hazard or nuisance to any greater or more frequent extent than that usually experienced in an average residential occupancy in the district in question under normal circumstances wherein no home occupation exists. H. There shall be no on-site sales of products or merchandise other than those produced on the premises and shall be limited to those which are incidental to the permitted home occupation. I. No sign shall be permitted, other than the clearly posted address of the home. J. Vehicles required for the operation of a home occupation shall not exceed a gross weight of five (5) tons. K. Class I flammable liquids or liquefied flammable gases may not be used or stored on the premises. Not more than the equivalent of seventy-five (75) cubic feet of other flammable material used in conjunction with the home occupation may be used or stored on the premises. L. The home occupation shall not be operated in such a manner as to cause a nuisance or interfere with the peace and quiet, and the residential character, of the neighborhood.
Full Breakdown
Kern County Zoning Ordinance Section 19.94.040 sets twelve minimum standards for home occupations in unincorporated areas. The business must be conducted solely by occupants of the residence, may use no more than 25 percent of the gross area of one floor, and must operate by appointment only. Commercial carrier freight deliveries may not exceed the frequency normally found in a residential area, on-site sales are limited to products produced on the premises and incidental to the permitted occupation, and business vehicles may not exceed five tons gross weight. A home occupation permit approved by the Planning Director is required under Section 19.94.050 before the business is established.
Violations & Fines
Violating the minimum standards can lead to revocation or modification of the home occupation permit under Section 19.94.080, and continued operation may trigger county code enforcement action.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can customers come to my home business in unincorporated Kern County?
Can I hire employees for my Kern County home occupation?
Are frequent freight deliveries allowed for a home occupation?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Kern County
California rules heatmap·Compare Kern County to another location·View the California home business overview
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