Merced County, CA Home Business: Signage Rules (2026)

070(A)(5) of the Merced County Zoning Code states there shall be no advertising which calls attention to the home used for business purposes, and specifically bars telephone listings and mass media advertising from including the home address. 070(B)(1) reinforces this by requiring that the appearance of the structure not be altered, and that the occupation not be conducted in a manner causing the premises to differ from its residential character through, among other things, signs. Together these provisions mean a home occupation approved under a Zoning Clearance cannot post a yard sign, window sign, or any exterior signage identifying the business, and cannot list the home address in a way that draws customers or attention to the residence.

44, which allow business identification signage; home occupations are carved out precisely because the use must stay invisible to preserve the residential character of the neighborhood. The Director enforces this as part of the same Zoning Clearance approval and review process that governs the rest of the home occupation.