Burbank, CA Home Business: Zoning & Home Occupation Permits (2026)

Under Burbank Municipal Code Title 10, Chapter 1, Article 6, Division 11, a maximum of two (2) home occupations may be conducted on the premises of a residence (BMC 10-1-672.A). Only persons whose primary residence is in the dwelling unit may engage in the home occupation, except a cottage food operation (BMC 10-1-672.B). Employment for actual work on the premises is limited to the resident owner(s) and any other resident of the dwelling unit; no non-resident may conduct work on the premises, except a cottage food operation is entitled to one non-resident employee (BMC 10-1-672.C).

The home occupation(s) may cumulatively occupy no more than the greater of (1) 400 square feet, (2) 20 percent of the combined square footage of the dwelling unit and any non-garage accessory structure, or (3) the home-kitchen area permitted by the Health Department for a cottage food operation (BMC 10-1-672.D). Any accessory structure used for the home occupation may not be a garage, carport, or other area required for vehicle parking (BMC 10-1-672.E). The activity and the storage of materials, equipment, inventory, supplies, and files is only permitted inside the dwelling unit or an entirely enclosed roofed accessory structure that is not a garage, with storage limited to 25 percent of the permitted home occupation area (BMC 10-1-672.G).

Only tools and equipment recognized as part of a normal household are allowed, and motor power is limited to electrically operated motors on 110/220-volt circuits with a maximum of one horsepower per motor and two horsepower total (BMC 10-1-672.H). This is a city-specific zoning standard; it is enforced in addition to any applicable California state requirements (for example, Health & Safety Code Section 113758 for cottage food).