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

To run a business from a home in unincorporated Glenn County, you must secure a home occupation permit under Title 15 (Unified Development Code), Division 5, Chapter 15.780, administered by the Planning Division at the Planning & Public Works Agency (777 N. Colusa Street / 225 N. Tehama Street, Willows). The County's permitted-use tables list home occupations as allowed in residential and agricultural zones 'if a permit is secured pursuant to Chapter 15.780.' The home occupation must be customarily conducted within the dwelling, carried on by the inhabitants, and remain 'clearly incidental and secondary' to residential use without changing the home's character or adversely affecting the zone. Operations must comply with all fire, building, plumbing, electrical and health codes and all federal, state and County laws. The County applies a parcel-size threshold: a home occupation NOT conducted within the residential dwelling on parcels smaller than 10 acres requires a conditional use permit (a discretionary, noticed approval), while smaller-scale in-dwelling home occupations are handled through the home occupation permit. County approval notices warn applicants that if the business grows and can no longer meet Chapter 15.780, the owner may need a Conditional Use Permit or must relocate the business to a zone where it is permitted. Submit the Home Occupation Permit application to the Planning Division and confirm current fees and any zone-specific conditions before operating.