Alpine County, CA Home Business: Home Occupation Permits (2026)

Under ACC 18.70.050, anyone running a home occupation in unincorporated Alpine County must obtain a home occupation permit from the County community development department and pay the application fee set by board of supervisors resolution before the use begins. After staff finds the application compliant, ACC 18.70.060 requires the department to mail notice to the applicant and to all property owners shown on the latest equalized assessment roll within 300 feet of the home occupation; that notice describes the use and its conditions and opens a 10-day written comment period. Under ACC 18.70.070, the community development director then issues the permit once the application is found to comply with the chapter. The permit is issued to the named applicant, is not transferable, and does not run with the land. A true 'home office' - limited to a computer, phone, desk and related equipment, with no client visits or employees and only normal residential deliveries - is exempt from the permit requirement under ACC 18.70.040. The director may suspend a permit under ACC 18.70.080 if the use violates its conditions, does not commence within one year, or ceases for more than one year. Operations exceeding the standards require an expanded home occupation conditional use permit from the Planning Commission (ACC 18.70.120).