Placer County, CA Home Business: Zoning Restrictions (2026)

Placer County's Zoning Ordinance (Chapter 17) governs land use in the unincorporated areas, and home occupations are addressed in Section 17.56.120. The County's Home Occupation Business License Questionnaire (Treasurer-Tax Collector, rev. 5/2024) directs applicants to confirm with the Planning Services Division (planning@placer.ca.gov) that the proposed business type is allowed on the property before approval. A key standing rule on the form states: 'home occupations shall not be permitted out-of-doors on the property or in any trailer or other temporary structure.' The questionnaire collects how many residents and non-occupant employees report to the home, the number and timing of clients/customers, the rooms used, equipment stored, vehicles/trailers used (including whether they exceed one-ton capacity), signage, parking, sewage/water, and any hazardous materials. Businesses in the Tahoe Basin may also need Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) permitting, and properties within two miles of an airport are flagged for review. Applicants must certify they have reviewed County Code Section 17.56.120 and that the activities conform to its allowances. Multiple County departments (Planning, Building, Engineering, Environmental Health, Sheriff) may need to clear the application.