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

5 establishes standards for operating a home occupation as an accessory use to a permitted dwelling in a residential zone, limiting the category to low-intensity businesses and small craft activities such as offices, telemarketing, off-site consulting, painting, and rug weaving that cannot affect neighboring residences. The operating standards in subsection b are specific: there can be no merchandise, signs, equipment, or materials visible from outside the dwelling, and the appearance of the home cannot be altered or show any sign it is used for a nonresidential purpose.

The occupation must be conducted solely within the residential structure, never outdoors or in a garage, and is capped at one room of the dwelling or 25% of its gross floor area, whichever limit is smaller. Only residents of the dwelling may be employed in the business, ruling out hiring outside staff to work on site. The business cannot use, produce, or maintain hazardous materials or chemicals, and any tools or equipment cannot generate smoke, dust, noise, or vibration beyond what is typical of residential use.

No identifiably commercial vehicle or equipment tied to the occupation may be parked on-site or on an adjacent street. Specific uses are named as incompatible with the home occupation category outright: vehicle repair, equipment repair, merchandise sales, dating services, beauty salons, on-site food preparation, and upholstery, among similar uses, are not permitted regardless of scale.