Anaheim Zoning Restrictions Rules (2026): What You Need to Know

Anaheim Municipal Code Title 18 (Zoning), Chapter 18.38 — Supplemental Use Regulations — establishes the standards under which home-based businesses, known as home occupations, may operate in residential zones throughout the city. Home occupations are classified as an accessory use to the primary residential use of a dwelling, meaning the residential function of the property must remain dominant and the business activity must be clearly secondary. Anaheim permits home occupations in all residential zoning districts (RS, RM, and mixed-use residential), provided the operator complies with all applicable conditions. Given Anaheim's high population density and the close proximity of homes in many neighborhoods, the city's home occupation standards are specifically designed to prevent business activities from creating impacts that would be noticeable to neighbors or alter the residential character of the block.

The operational conditions for Anaheim home occupations require that the business be conducted entirely within the dwelling unit. Use of an attached or detached garage, carport, accessory structure, yard, patio, or driveway for business activities is not permitted. No more than 25 percent of the total floor area of the dwelling may be devoted to the home occupation. All business materials, supplies, inventory, and equipment must be stored entirely within the dwelling unit and may not be visible from outside the property. The business may not create noise, odor, vibration, electrical interference, or other impacts detectable from outside the dwelling. No on-site signage identifying the business is permitted other than what is allowed under the city's general residential sign standards, which effectively limits signage to a small nameplate. No employees other than the residents of the dwelling may report to or work from the home location; however, the business owner may have remote employees working from other locations.

Before commencing any home occupation, the business operator must obtain a City of Anaheim business license under Title 4, Chapter 4.16 of the Municipal Code. The business license application for a home occupation may trigger a zoning verification to confirm that the proposed business activity complies with all home occupation conditions. Certain categories of businesses are expressly prohibited as home occupations, including but not limited to: automotive repair or body work; welding or metalworking; manufacturing or assembly of products; medical or dental offices; barber shops, beauty salons, or nail salons with walk-in customers; retail stores with on-site customer traffic; and any activity requiring deliveries by large commercial vehicles. Professional services such as consulting, accounting, graphic design, tutoring, and telecommuting-based businesses that generate minimal external impact are the most common approved home occupation types in Anaheim.

For questions about whether a specific business type qualifies as a home occupation, or to apply for a business license, contact the Anaheim Planning and Building Department at (714) 765-5139 or the Finance Department Business License Section at (714) 765-5162.