Pasadena, CA Home Business: Signage Rules (2026)

Pasadena's home occupation rules sit in Municipal Code Section 17.50.110, and subsection M is unambiguous: no on-site sign of any kind may advertise a home-based business, though paper and electronic advertising, including business cards, is allowed as long as it leaves out the home's street address. The ban sits on top of the underlying permit system: anyone running a home occupation must first obtain a nontransferable Home Occupation Permit from the Director (Section 17.50.110.B-C), and the use is capped at 500 square feet of floor area including storage (Section 17.50.110.F).

Only products crafted on the premises may be sold on-site, and only the resident of the dwelling may work in the business; no interns, volunteers, or independent contractors are allowed (Section 17.50.110.G-H). Client and customer visits require prior appointments and are limited to 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., Monday through Friday (Section 17.50.110.J). Because outdoor signage is barred entirely, a home business that wants visibility has to rely on mailers, websites, and social media instead of a yard sign or window placard. A Home Occupation Permit that violates these standards, including the sign ban, can be revoked by the Zoning Administrator under Section 17.78.090 after 15 days' written notice unless the operator brings the use back into compliance. Losing the permit also voids the accompanying Business License, since Section 17.50.110.E ties the two together.