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

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Code Section
Concord Development Code Section 18.200.100
Allowed Zones
Any zone permitting residential use
Floor Area Cap
20% of habitable square footage
Non-Resident Employees
Maximum 1 (hours 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.)
Students Per Day
6 maximum, 1 at a time
Business Vehicles
1 vehicle, max 1-ton capacity
Categorical Prohibitions
Auto service, beauty salons, barber shops, cannabis

Summary

Concord Development Code Section 18.200.100 allows home-based businesses as an accessory use in any residential zone only if the activity is conducted entirely inside the principal dwelling or a permitted enclosed accessory structure, occupies no more than 20 percent of the dwelling's habitable square footage, employs only residents plus at most one nonresident, and admits no on-site clients except up to six individual students. Automotive service, beauty salons, barber shops, and any cannabis business are categorically prohibited.

1. Prohibited Home-Based Businesses: Automotive service, diagnosis, or repair to vehicles, other large machinery or equipment, or large appliances of others; Beauty salons and barber shops; cannabis business or commercial activity. 2. Location. The home-based business shall be conducted entirely within the principal dwelling, within an enclosed structure attached to the dwelling, or within a legally permitted and constructed enclosed accessory structure detached from the dwelling, excluding required garage parking area. 3. Floor Area Maximum. The space exclusively devoted to a home-based business, including any related storage, shall not exceed 20 percent of the dwelling unit's habitable square footage as determined by county tax records. 4. Employees. Employees working or meeting at the site shall be limited to persons who reside at the residence and one nonresident. The one nonresident employee's hours shall be between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. 5. Clients or Customers. No clients or customers shall be permitted at the site of the home-based business, except for students engaged in individual home instruction; i.e., with one student at a time and no more than six students per day. Student hours shall be between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.

Source: Concord Business LicenseView official code

Full Breakdown

100 is the standards-for-specific-uses provision in Title 18 (Development Code) that governs every home occupation in Concord. The Planning Division's permit acknowledgement form, signed and stamped by the City, reproduces the operative criteria verbatim. (1) Location: the business must be conducted entirely within the principal dwelling, within an enclosed structure attached to the dwelling, or within a legally permitted and constructed enclosed accessory structure detached from the dwelling, excluding required garage parking area. (2) Floor area cap: the space exclusively devoted to the business, including any related storage, shall not exceed 20 percent of the dwelling unit's habitable square footage as determined by county tax records.

m. ); an administrative permit may authorize up to six nonstudent clientele per day, one at a time, as an exception. (5) Vehicles: a maximum of one business vehicle up to one-ton capacity is permitted, and only if it does not give the appearance that a business is being conducted on site. Limousines, dump trucks, tow trucks, modified pick-up trucks with raised hauling compartments, construction vehicles, trailers, construction equipment, and any vehicle over one ton are expressly prohibited. m. (7) Nuisances: the business shall not create noise, odor, dust, vibration, smoke, electrical disturbance, or any other interference with adjacent residential uses, and shall be invisible to the neighborhood, with no excessive use of, or unusual discharge into, water, sanitary sewer, electrical, garbage, or storm drains.

(8) Prohibited businesses: automotive service, diagnosis, or repair of vehicles, large machinery, equipment, or large appliances of others; beauty salons and barber shops; and any cannabis business or commercial activity are categorically banned as home-based uses. 100's structural, employee, and traffic criteria. State ADU law (Gov. 100 when the ADU is used for business purposes.

Violations & Fines

Violations of Section 18.200.100 are zoning violations under Title 18 of the Concord Development Code. The acknowledgement form expressly warns that any violation 'will result in possible fines, penalties or legal action.' Code Enforcement, which operates under the Concord Police Department, can issue notices of violation, administrative citations, and abatement orders, and may seek revocation of the Home-Based Business Permit. The City notifies the property owner or property manager of record of any violations, which can independently trigger landlord enforcement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I run a home business out of my detached shed or accessory structure in Concord?
Only if the structure is a legally permitted and constructed enclosed accessory structure, and it is not the required garage parking area. Operating out of an open carport, unpermitted shed, or required garage parking violates 18.200.100.
Can clients come to my Concord home for appointments?
Not as a matter of right. Section 18.200.100 prohibits clients on site except for one-on-one home instruction (up to six students per day, one at a time). For other businesses, an administrative permit can authorize up to six nonstudent clientele per day, one at a time, but this is a separate discretionary approval.
Can I hire employees who do not live at my Concord home?
Yes, but only one nonresident employee, and that employee may only work or meet at the site between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. All other workers must reside at the residence.
Can I run a beauty salon, barber shop, or auto repair from my Concord home?
No. Section 18.200.100 expressly prohibits beauty salons and barber shops, any cannabis business or commercial activity, and automotive service, diagnosis, or repair of vehicles, large machinery, equipment, or large appliances of others.
Can I park a work van or truck at my Concord home?
Yes, but only one business vehicle up to one-ton capacity, and only if it does not give the appearance that a business is being conducted there. Limousines, dump trucks, tow trucks, raised-bed pickup hauling vehicles, construction vehicles, trailers, and any vehicle over one ton are expressly prohibited.

Sources & Official References

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