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

Lassen County Code Chapter 18.102 establishes the home-occupation standards that apply in residential and agricultural zoning districts. A home occupation must be incidental and subordinate to the residence, conducted entirely within an enclosed building (except certain outdoor instructional activities), and must not change the home's exterior residential character. The code ties expanded operations to a use permit: with a Class I use permit, up to two full-time-equivalent employees (or up to four part-time employees) beyond residents may be allowed, and outdoor processing, storage, or repair of materials is permitted only when conditionally approved through a use permit. Use permits in Lassen County are processed through Planning and Building Services and, depending on the class, may require Planning Director or Planning Commission review with findings that the use will not be detrimental to the neighborhood. Home occupations must also comply with the noise element of the general plan, limit off-site-audible sounds to 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., keep products out of public view, and meet the home-occupation sign limits. Applicants should contact Planning and Building Services to determine whether their specific activity can proceed under the general standards or requires a use-permit application and associated fee.