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

Mariposa County is entirely unincorporated, so the County Planning Department administers home-occupation approvals countywide. The County's Business Startup page states that the County does not require general business licenses, but that within the Mariposa, Coulterville, Fish Camp, and Wawona Town Planning Areas, home-based occupations require a permit. Outside those Town Planning Areas, a home business is established under the zoning standards for Home Enterprises (Code 17.108.070) or Rural Home Industry (Code 17.108.080) rather than a separate permit. For a Rural Home Industry, Section 17.108.080 requires the owner to operate the business and reside on the property permanently; the use is a permitted use unless it becomes detrimental to the surrounding area by appearance, noise, dust, smoke, or odor, and special setback and nuisance provisions apply. The County FAQ notes the Planning Department cannot formally approve or deny a rural home industry before it begins operating, but may offer professional opinions, and the Planning Director or Board of Supervisors can require changes or cessation if complaints arise. Owners should use the County's Zoning Lookup Tool and confirm their parcel's status with Planning (209-966-5151, planning@mariposacounty.org) before starting, since the permit requirement turns on whether the parcel is inside a Town Planning Area.