Ontario requires a home occupation permit for any business run from a residence. The use must stay incidental to living there, with no customer traffic, signage, or exterior evidence of commercial activity.
The Ontario Development Code (Municipal Code Title 9) regulates home-based businesses through a home occupation permit administered by the Planning Division. The business must be clearly incidental and secondary to the residential use of the property and must be conducted entirely within the dwelling or an accessory structure by residents of the household. Typical standards include no non-resident employees working on-site, no outdoor storage or display of merchandise or materials, no signage visible from the public right-of-way, no customer or client visits that generate additional vehicle trips beyond normal residential traffic, and no equipment or processes that create noise, vibration, smoke, dust, odors, heat, glare, or electrical interference perceptible beyond the property line. Businesses involving hazardous materials, auto repair, manufacturing, or walk-in retail sales are generally prohibited. A City of Ontario business license from Finance is also required. Apply through the Planning Division at City Hall, (909) 395-2000.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
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