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

A home occupation in the unincorporated county is established under Amador County Code Section 19.48.125 in Chapter 19.48 (General Provisions and Exceptions). To qualify, the business must be clearly incidental and subordinate to the residential use, located in an R1, R1A, RE, A, AG or X district, and meet every operating standard in the section: a maximum of 25% of the dwelling's floor area (never more than 250 square feet, including use of an attached garage or detached building); no more than one employee; no traffic greater than normal for a residential neighborhood; no use of on-street parking by the employee, customers or clients; no equipment or process generating excessive noise, vibration, glare, fumes, odors or electrical interference objectionable to neighbors; and sales limited to hand-crafted goods or items directly related and incidental to a service. Any identification sign must follow the non-illuminated, size-by-lot-area limits described in the signage rules. Applicants should file with and obtain clearance from the Amador County Planning Department, which administers Title 19 and can confirm whether your specific business qualifies as a home occupation, what documentation is required, and the current fee. Building permits remain separate for any construction. Note that certain home uses are protected by state law - family daycare homes are treated as a residential use and cannot be required to get a home-occupation permit (Health & Safety Code 1597.40).