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

Shasta County distinguishes between two kinds of home occupation. A standard home occupation under Zoning Code Section 17.88.175 is permitted by right as an accessory use and does not require a discretionary zoning permit, provided it meets all the operating standards (no exterior evidence, indoor only, 25%/400-square-foot floor limit, residents-only, and no customer vehicle trips). When the activity will generate customers coming to the property, the operator must obtain an administrative permit under Section 17.88.205, 'Home occupation with customer vehicle trips.' That section requires the home occupation to still meet criteria A through E of Section 17.88.175 (the no-exterior-evidence, location, floor-area, no-retail-display, and residents-only rules) and then limits customer vehicle trips based on lot size: up to six customer vehicle trips per day are permitted if the lot is one acre or less, and up to ten customer vehicle trips per day if the lot is larger than one acre. Administrative permits in Shasta County are typically non-hearing items processed by Planning Division staff at the permit center once the application, required information, and fees are submitted; the Planning Division can confirm the current fee and submittal checklist. A use that exceeds these customer-trip limits, employs non-residents, or has greater impacts would not qualify as a home occupation and would instead need a use permit or a commercial location.